Donald Trump to nominate Steve Mnuchin for treasury post, Wilbur Ross for commerce
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/29/donald-trump-nominate-tom-price-health-and-human-s/
George W. “Bill” Lockin – Benton, IL
Longtime Benton resident George W. “Bill” Lockin, 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 after a brief illness. Bill was living in Brentwood, TN at the time of his death.
A native of of Berea, KY, Bill was born on August 28, 1923 to Earl Wyman and Mary Jane Lockin. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Earl Wyman Lockin and is wife of 67 years Elwanda Dalton Lockin.
Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After serving his country for five years Bill returned to the University of Kentucky to complete his education, graduating with a Master’s degree in Mining Engineering.
Upon graduation, Bill was hired by Inland Steel Coal Company in Wheelwright, KY where he worked for 31 years. In 1966 Inland moved operations to Southern Illinois where Bill held several management positions at the Sesser and McLeansboro mines. He retired in 1982 as the Mine Manager of Inland Steel No. 2 in McLeansboro.
Bill and his wife Wanda enjoyed camping in their Airstream camper and were members of the Wally Byam Airstream Caravan Club in Southern Illinois. He was also an active member of the Lion’s Club International, Methodist Men, Benton Booster Club, Benton American Legion an he was an active amateur radio operator.
An incredible and dedicated husband, father and grandfather, Bill was loved and adored by his children, David William Lockin (wife Jennifer Ryan Lockin), of Lilburn, GA, daughter Karen Lockin Bachus, of Rome, GA, and daughter Jane Lockin Hutson (husband John Hutson), of Brentwood, TN; grandchildren Matthew Lockin (wife Melissa Lockin) of Phoenix, AZ, Jonathan Lockin, of Lilburn, GA, Avery Bachus, of Marietta, GA, Madelyn Hutson, of Providence, RI, and Kathryn Hutson, of Brentwood, TN.
A memorial service will be held at Benton First United Methodist Church, 203 Church St. Benton, IL at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016. The eulogy will be given by Jim Muir and the service will be officiated by the Rev. Mark Minor. Visitation with the family will be held that morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a military internment at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Funeral arrangements are through Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.
Sean O’Brien tip-in lifts Saluki Men’s Basketball to overtime win over Murray State
By Tom Weber, SIUSalukis.com.
CARBONDALE, Ill. — In a heart-pounding overtime win, Sean O’Brien broke a tie when he tipped-in a missed shot by Mike Rodriguez with 0.8 seconds remaining, and Southern Illinois held on to beat Murray State, 89-85, on Tuesday night.
The Salukis (4-3) never trailed during the final 15 minutes of regulation or during the overtime period, but there were plenty of times when it seemed the momentum and lead was ready to swing in favor the Racers (3-4). It was in those key moments that SIU’s three seniors — O’Brien, Rodriguez and Leo Vincent — each stepped up and made critical plays.
For instance, Southern was clinging to a 67-66 lead late in regulation when Rodriguez stepped back and hit a deep 3-pointer to put his team up, 70-66. It was a gutsy play in a game where the Salukis were ice cold from outside the arc (6-of-24).
That bucket only momentarily stemmed the tide. Murray State’s Bryce Jones proceeded to bury two 3-pointers in the final eight seconds of regulation to send it to OT — the last one coming from the right corner with 0.3 seconds on the clock.
SIU regrouped in overtime. Vincent, who was only 1-of-6 from downtown during the first 40 minutes, stroked a 3-pointer right out of the gate in overtime. On the next possession, Rodriguez stole the ball from Damarcus Croaker, which led to an O’Brien layup and an 82-77 advantage.
The Racers weren’t done. Jonathan Stark scored seven of his game-high 29 points in the extra stanza, and his free throws tied it, 85-85, with 1:06 to go. After Armon Fletcher had his shot blocked by MSU’s Gee McGhee, Murray State had a chance to take the lead in the waning seconds.
With about a 10-second differential between the game and shot clock, Stark attacked the right side of the lane and launched a high-arching shot off the glass that didn’t fall.
“I like what we got, Jonathan made a great move and got to the basket, he just didn’t finish the play,” said Murray State coach Matt McMahon.
Fletcher rebounded Stark’s miss and forwarded the ball to Rodriguez. As the final seconds ticked away, Rodriguez made his move to the right baseline. His shot was off, but O’Brien gently tipped in the follow.
“I had to wait for a second to make sure (the ball) cleared the cylinder,” said O’Brien, who finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.
SIU senior Mike Rodriguez driving the lane for two (photo provided)The seniors had carried the day.
Rodriguez had 21 points and five assists, and seemed to will his team to victory at the end.
“He’s very crafty using the ball screens, he can dance behind the screen, and if he’s hitting his 3-point shot, he’s a really difficult cover,” McMahon said. “That was a really big three he hit late — about a 25-footer.”
Although he was only 2-of-7 from 3-point range, Vincent had 17 points and made shots in crunch time.
“(Mike Rodriguez) wants the ball in his hands at crunch time. LeoVincent wants the ball in his hands at crunch time,” Hinson said. “Sean O’Brien — crunch time — made a big play. Our three seniors made big plays tonight.”
Southern’s gameplan was to pack the paint and force Murray State to shoot from the perimeter. It almost backfired, as the Racers made 9-of-16 from 3-point in the first half and 13-of-30 in the game. The Salukis countered with a 42-14 edge in points in the paint. Murray State was 14-of-40 from inside the arc and shot 39 percent from the field overall.
“We told our guys tonight, we’re not going to let them beat us in the paint,” Hinson said. “If they’re going to beat us, they’re going to have to beat us from the 3-point line.”
This was SIU’s first game of the season that came down to the wire. Southern’s previous six games were all decided by double figures one way or the other. Hinson hopes his team can draw from tonight’s experience.
“I know at least we have something to go back on,” he said. “We have some positive history.”
Morgan Griffith Breaks The FCHS All Time Scoring Record In 81-68 Victory Over H’Burg
Franklin County High School Basketball Preview 11/29/16
Steve Dunford-Franklin County Hoops and Gridiron
I am just going to share something first. I am not slighting the girl’s game at all. In the next year or two I will be able to write previews and maybe give a prediction. I have close contact with nearly every boy’s coach in the BDC West, SIRR Ohio division and the GEC. From all this, I feel I do not have the knowledge yet to give a preview of girls basketball in the county.
In girl’s action tonight, a very tough Harrisburg team will be traveling to Max Morris Gym to take on the West Frankfort Lady Redbirds; Andy Sloan and his Benton Rangerettes have a SIRR Ohio match up at Herrin tonight; Sieger Shurtz’s Christopher Lady Bearcats will be on the road at Cobden to face the Lady Appleknockers this evening. In boys action, I am previewing the Benton Hardin County match up at Goreville and the Pope County vs Thompsonville game this evening.
Benton (1-0) vs. Hardin County (0-1)- Goreville Invitational 5:30 p.m.
Benton’s win over Hamilton County last night was what most people expected. I was a little surprise that Johnston City beat Hardin County last night, especially the margin of victory.
The Rangers had a balanced attack in the opener. I expect the same tonight. Benton will be much quicker than the Cougars. If Coach Ron Winemiller chooses to press, Hardin County might have difficulty breaking it. I see the Rangers getting some easy transition buckets tonight. The Rangers have a much deeper bench, which is the usual case when you play a school three times their size.
Other than Thompsonville, most in the county are not familiar with Hardin County High School. I am going to give you a little information. They have an enrollment of 175. Their school was built in the early 80’s when the county schools consolidated, which is a K-12 facility which is similar to Sesser-Valier.
Their gym seats about 2,500, and that is the reason why they host the 1A sectional frequently. They play a very tough 1A schedule, playing some much larger Kentucky schools. Along with this week at Goreville, they play in the Eldorado Holiday Tournament. Most have them as a top three team in the Greater Egyptian Conference.
I will give the edge to the Cougars on being a little more physical than the Rangers. This along with their size inside might cause some problems in the post for Benton. Hardin County plays mainly zone. Like Derek Oxford they have a 1,000 scorer in Tyler Winters. If he, along with Cameron Shaw gets hot the Cougars might hang around with the Rangers.
Hardin County will win a lot of games this year. I was taking to Cougar Coach Rodney Lane a couple weeks ago and said, even if we come out of here 0-5, we are here to prepare us for February. I am giving the edge to the Rangers by 20 tonight. They just have too many horses.
POPE COUNTY (2-3) vs. THOMPSONVILLE (2-1)
The Tigers had a very good week at Christopher. They almost knocked off a very good Webber Township club, beat NCOE in a thriller, and beat Zeigler-Royalton in the consolation championship game. As Dick Vitale would say the “Diaper Dandies” played very well, especially PG Tyson Kessler.
The Pirates had a mediocre week at Crab Orchard. They defeated Dongola and Egyptian, which both will be lucky to have five wins this year. Elverado thumped them, which does not look good on their résumé. They had a barnburner though, with a good Joppa ball club. They also hung around with Crab Orchard longer than I expected. It seems like they are going to be a Jeckel and Hyde ball club. It is hard to anticipate what kind of team will step off the bus tonight.
This is the conference opener for both teams. The Tigers have a strong back court. I am just being blunt, but Pope County struggles at the guard spot. The transfers from Massac County last year will cause some GEC teams some match up problems with their size, but the Tigers have a lot of size too. In all three games, the Tiger press was very effective. I would not be surprised if Tiger coach Pete Gordon comes out pressing and use that 2-3 zone, which was very effective at the end of last season.
I say the Tigers will be 3-1 after tonight with a solid ten point victory. It would be nice if they could go into the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament a couple of games above .500 or more.
