By Jim Muir
The Benton Middle School Junior Rangers eighth grade team avenged a season-opening loss to Du Quoin Tuesday night with a convincing 50-34 non-conference road victory.
The win moves Benton to 10-3 on the season.
Austin Wills and Derek Oxford, who have been an outstanding one-two punch for Benton throughout the season, combined for 38 points to carry the Junior Rangers to the victory. Wills scored 24 to go along with two rebounds and a steal while Oxford, the team’s leading scorer, tallied 14 points to go with five rebounds and three assists and a steal.
Benton coach John Cook gave high marks to his team on the offensive end.
“Offensively, we were very patient and took great care of the basketball,” said Cook. “Other teams pay so much attention to Oxford and he understands that. Last night it was Austin’s turn to have a big night and he took advantage of it. Everybody on the team understands their role and they are so unselfish.”
Benton jumped out to a 13-5 first quarter lead and then increased the margin to 27-18 at the intermission. Benton outscored Du Quoin 13-7 to open up a 40-25 lead after three quarters and then coasted to the victory.
Also scoring for Benton was Blane Pankey with six points and six rebounds, Tyson Houghland, Gehrig Wynn, Jordan Richey, Oliver Davis all scored two points. Also seeing action in the eighth grade contest was Scott Mosely, Brett Bonenberger, Lance Cockrum, Troy Tillman and Jourdan Garbo.
Cook said some contributions to the victory do not show up in the scorebook.
“I can’t say enough about the play of Tyson Houghland and Blane Pankey,” said Cook. “They do all the little things that sometimes go unnoticed, such as defense and rebounding. Oxford did a great job guarding the Thomas kid from Du Quoin, so it was truly a great team defensive effort.”
In the seventh grade contest BMS could never get on track dropping a 34-17 decision to Du Quoin. BMS fell behind 8-4 after one period and then was outscored 14-5 in the second quarter as Du Quoin opened up a 22-9 halftime lead. Benton outscored Du Quoin 6-4 in the third to cut the deficit to 26-15 heading to the final quarter but were outscored 8-2 in the fourth, en route to only their second loss of the season. The BMS seventh grade squad now stands at 7-2.
Parker Williams led the seventh grade squad in scoring with 6 points to go along with three rebounds. Also scoring for Benton was Blane Pankey with five, Hamilton Page with 2 and five rebounds, Drew Owens and Eldon Owens with two each. Also seeing action for Benton was Brett Bonenberger, Triston Summers, Joey Craig, Gehrig Wynn, Mason Wills, Braxton Lutz, Ethan Kreiger and Robbie Moore.
Benton returns to action tonight at Hamilton County and wraps up the 2012 portion of their schedule. The Junior Rangers will return to play on January 3, 2013 when they host Christopher.
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