Steve Dunford-Franklin County Hoops And Gridiron

There are only two games involving county schools tonight and they are playing each other.  The West Frankfort Redbirds make the short six mile trip up Route 37 to Rich Herrin Gym, to play the Benton Rangers.  The Christopher Bearcats have a short eight mile trip up Route 148 to take on the Sesser-Valier Red Devils.

West Frankfort (0-1)(1-3) at Benton (1-0)(7-0) 

The Rangers are off to the fast start like last year as they were undefeated going into the Duster Thomas Hoops Classic.  The Redbirds has a o fer off their record in holiday tournament play as they picked up their first two wins at the Eldorado Holiday Tournament.  Here is what Ranger Coach Ron Winemiller had to say about the match-up this evening.  “I expect both teams to be very prepared for what we like to do. I expect WF will try and use their size and force the ball inside. I hope our ball pressure can cause them some problems. It doesn’t matter what the records are it is Benton vs West Frankfort, so you know both teams will play with a lot of passion. “

Redbird Coach Kevin Toney had this to say about tonight.  “I hope we can handle the ball against them.  They make everything so difficult on both ends of the floor and it will be a challenge.  But that is what every team attempts to do.  We need to go into another teams gym, and put all the distractions out of our mind.  We just need to play how we know we can play.”

I jot down keys to the game.  I had the Redbirds size and length could give the Rangers problems, just as Coach Winemiller said.  The Rangers have went nine deep with out missing a beat. West Frankfort is much deeper this year as well.

Benton’s press is ferocious.  If the Redbirds struggle with it, it could be a long night.  In addition they can flat out shoot the basketball.  So can Noah Allen.

West Frankfort will start 6′  6″ and 6′ 5″ in Austin Glodich and Keagan Thrash.  They can bring 6′ 5″ off the bench in Bradlee Croslin.  The Rangers tallest guy that has saw significant time is Parker Williams at 6′ 3″

Derek Oxford and Timmy Henson are four year starters, if you count Henson’s freshman year at Thompsonville.  Austin Wills has logged a lot of varsity minutes.

Throwing in the anticipated “junior five” for Benton, I have to give the edge to the Rangers by 12 tonight.  The Redbirds will be ready to play in a hard fought contest.

Christopher (2-3)(0-0) at Sesser-Valier (1-0)(2-4)

This is the BDC West opener for Christopher.  Sesser-Valier pulled a major upset in defeating the Chester Yellow Jackets in their only conference game of the year.

Both teams were involved barn burner losses on Tuesday night.   The Bearcats lost on a buzzer beater 43-41 to the Waltonville Spartans by former Bearcat, Isaac McPhail. The Red Devils were involved in a track meet down at Johnston City Losing 88-86.

Kaleab Pedigo can shoot the rock, so can Charlie Farmer.  Gabe Schimpf can fill it up in an blue and orange uniform tonight.

Going into the season, I was concerned about the Bearcats post game.  Jared Curry shot up to 6’5″ and Cole Sanders transferred from Z-R over the summer.

I would be at one or the other place tonight if I could.  One thing I would be curious about which Devil will guard Bradley Young.  I have a feeling it will be Joshua Gunter.  The Z word is not in Shane Garner or Eric Stallman’s vocabulary.

A couple advantages that S-V has over Christopher is they are deeper at the three spot whether it be Gunter, Preston Launius, or Addison Baxter.  They are more physical in the post with Jamie Lance, Addison Page, and Seth Boles.

Curry has been playing the point for the Bearcats setting the offense and going in and posting up.  Lukas Gunter is one of the better 1A point guards in Southern Illinois but advantage Curry in this position with the height advantage.  Curry will cause match-up problems all over the floor tonight.

It is no secret the Bearcats like to run.  With Shane Garner able to play 10 or 11, it would be to the Devils advantage.

If two tom cats were fighting in 18 bottoms from each town, there would be maroon and red and grey in the crowd.  There would be Maroon and Orange in a cat fight between the two at the Valier Patch as well.

I have went over several scenarios in my head who will come on top in this one.  I have had some with Sesser-Valier and Christopher winning on my legal pad full of scribbles.

I have been told I have instincts as a prognosticator.  I am going with the Bearcats in a buzzer beater by Pedigo hitting a three.  Young will have at least 15-20 tonight.

I am either the most loved or hated man in the county tonight.  And old geezer like me trying to be a prognosticator does not matter much.  What I have to say will go out the window at tip-off.