Benton wrestling coach Duane Bean challenged his team before its Senior Night match with Carmi-White County.
“I told them that I know we are forfeiting four matches, but I wasn’t giving up,” he said. “I told them to be aggressive and come out fighting.”
The message was received loud and clear, as the Rangers shook off the 24-point deficit it faced before action began and ended the match in a 36-36 tie. Benton was awarded the win on criteria, winning seven bouts to Carmi’s six.
Sometimes you live by the 3-pointer, sometimes you die by it.
The Benton Rangers were cold from the field, including a 2 of 21 effort from beyond the arc, and were upset 48-46 by Hamilton County on two C.J. Lemmons free throws with 11 seconds left at McLeansboro Tuesday night.
The Rangers trailed for much of the game until the fourth quarter when Tyler Leffler hit a 3-pointer to give the locals a 34-32 lead.
Sesser used a strong start and a great ending to upset Woodlawn 48-43 Tuesday night in Sesser.
In other games, Zeigler topped Johnston City 53-50, while Christopher fell to Trico 62-44.
Woodlawn, ranked sixth in the latest Class 1A state poll, fell behind 14-4 to the Red Devils after one period and didn’t get a lead until the fourth period.
Abigail Bennett, a strong striker for the Rangerettes volleyball team, has accepted a scholarship offer from Rend Lake College and will suit up for the Warriors next season.
Bennett’s versatility was key to the signing, according to RLC coach Sara Crews.
“I really like her versatility on the front row,” Crews said. “She played middle and right and I like that. She can hit across the net.”
Here are the boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points.
| Class 4A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| School | W-L | Pts | Prv |
| 1. Simeon (12) | 20-1 | 120 | 1 |
| 2. Proviso East | 17-0 | 108 | 2 |
| 3. Curie | 20-1 | 95 | |
