by Steve Dunford

Just like last night, the three games in the evening session of the Sesser-Valier holiday tournament involve Franklin County Schools.

Just to catch you up on action from today; West Frankfort beat Hamilton County 50-46 this morning at the Eldorado Holiday Tournament.  They play Union County KY in the Consolation Semi- Finals at 4:45

The Benton Rangers beat Trenton-Weslin this morning 62-30 at the Duster Thomas Hoops Classic in Pinckneyville.  They take on the Olney Tigers at 8:30 tonight in the auxiliary gym.

Johnston City blew out Zeigler-Royalton this afternoon 74-37 at Sesser Valier.  Brendan Whiting led the Tornadoes with 20.  Steven Anderson added eight.

You are caught up on everything from everywhere else, now here is the previews of tonight’s games from Sesser-Valier

CHRISTOPHER (4-4) vs CHESTER (8-2)

Last night the Bearcats knocked off a decent New Athens team 65-35.  Kaelab Pedigo exploded again with 27 with six threes.  Bradely Young was involved in the offense more as he had 18.  Jared Curry added nine.

Chester pulled out a 77-76 Overtime win against Century.

The keys to the game for the Bearcats

• Pedigo is going to have to be hot from the outside, you can throw Curry in there as well.
• They are going to have to continue getting Bradley Young involved in the offense.
• They are going to have to keep even with Chester on the boards.
• Stay out of Foul Trouble

This is a game the lack of depth of the Bearcats might hurt them.  The physicality of Weir down in the post will give Christopher some issues.  Savion Smith burned the Bearcats up at Randolph County last season, and the slashing and dribble drive penetration will give them problems tonight.

I am going with the Yellow Jackets by four.  I just have a gut feeling Christopher will be in deep foul trouble in this one.

THOMPSONVILLE (3-5) vs GALATIA (3-6)  

This is the first of three for sure and possibly five match-ups between these to teams.

With Thompsonville playing a little McLeansboro ball last night, as well as Steeleville playing cat and mouse last night trying to bring T’ville out of their zone, the first half looked like a football score at halftime last night.

Here are the keys to the game for T’ville tonight

• They are going to have to keep it in the 50’s
• They have to get more involved in the offense other than Payne, Kessler and Fitch, who led with 15 on the night
• They have to keep out of foul trouble as well
• I believe if you get the ball into Athoney Darge, you can get Galatia in foul trouble.

After a good start, the Tigers stunk it up the last two times out,

coming into the tournament.   From keeping my ear to the ground the Bearcats looked awful last night

The fourth quarter the Tigers put up against a quality opponent in Steeleville, is just what this young ball club needed.

You can throw the record books out when these two get together.  I am going with the Tigers by five.

SESSER-VALIER (3-6) vs STEELEVILLE (7-3)

It sounds like the Red Devils were firing on all eight cylinders coming in to the tourney after playing a brutal schedule.

In the 77-31 win over Galatia, it was a very balanced attack for the Devils, as Charlie Farmer had 15 points on the night with Tyler Winchester, Preston Launius, and Jamie Lance adding 10 on the night.  Twelve scored for S-V on the night.

The keys for the Devils tonight are the following:

• Keep playing the way you have at late
• Keep the balanced attack
• Keep Gross from exploding.  There are three our four Devils that could do a good job on him.

Both teams will play a lot of players.  This is a game that will be decided in the last thirty seconds tonight.  I am giving Sesser-Valier the edge being at home.  They will pull it out tonight by a point.