MARION -- On paper, the fourth meeting between two Franklin County schools for the Class A regional title at Crab Orchard, appeared to be a classic. Between the lines, it was a mismatch.
Christopher dominated from start to finish in dismantling Sesser, 71-41, for its second straight regional crown. The Bearcats had won the previous two of three meetings, losing in overtime the last time the two rivals met.
Sesser led only once in the contest, 9-7, after Tyler Winchester buried a three. Sesser scored the next eight points to take a 15-9 lead and never looked back. Jared Curry hit a trey, Kaeleb Pedigo knocked down a floater in the lane and Bradley Young converted a three-point play to help the Bearcats seize control.
Christopher led 17-12 at the first break. The Bearcats continued their offensive blitz in the second quarter with a 9-4 run, punctuated by a Young dunk at the 3:28 mark resulting in a 26-16 advantage. Sesser would get just two more points in the quarter on a pair of free throws. The Bearcats ended the half on a 6-0 run to take a decisive 33-18 lead.
Christopher continued its dominance in the second half. Hitting 8-of-9 shots in the third quarter, the 'Cats rushed out to a 20-point lead of 48-28. By quarter's end, Christopher was up 52-30. The Bearcats' pushed the margin to 30 midway through the final quarter.
"The better team won the game tonight, absolutely," said S-V coach Shane Garner. "We talked before coming in that the team that would make plays tonight would win and they made plays. Young is by far the best player on the floor, whether it was inside or passing."
"We had good possessions. We didn't have empty possessions. We were rebounding the ball so well, we were getting second chance opportunities. That's tremendous," said Christopher coach Eric Stallman. "Our field goal percentage tonight (62 percent) was outstanding."
Pedigo led the offensive charge for Christopher, 17-12, with 22 points. Curry contributed 17 points, Young had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds and freshman Bryce Pratt contributed 11 points. Lucas Gunter led Sesser-Valier, 18-15, with 13 points.
Christopher dominated the glass, outrebounding the Red Devils 11-3 in the first half and 22 to 7 for the game. Sesser had no answer for Young on the inside and Pedigo from the perimeter.
"Coach told us that rebounds and defense wins games and that's what we had to do. We played good defense and got stops. We got some offensive rebounds and put it up for easy baskets and got to the free throw line," said Young.
Christopher was also efficient from the charity stripe, hitting 20-of-25 chances. Pedigo was perfect in seven attempts, Young was 6-of-9 and Curry 6-of-7.
Pedigo, who did not start in Christopher's semi-final game against Steeleville, said he felt a little extra incentive coming into Friday's championship game.
"The other night kind of hit a little bit and I didn't enjoy it so I had to pull it together. Coming in tonight we knew what we were playing for and with it being our rivals, we all woke up a little bit and played like we should be playing," Pedigo said.
Christopher will meet Gallatin County at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Norris City Sectional. The Hawks upset Cairo, 74-64, in overtime for the Hardin County Regional title. Woodlawn and Mounds Meridian will match up at the same time on Wednesday in the remaining semi-final. The championship game will be played Friday.
