Benton kicks off BIT with win over Foxes

Benton boys basketball coach Ron Winemiller picked up career win No. 200 and the Rangers picked up a 51-34 victory over Hamilton County Monday night at the Benton Invitational Tournament.
Reece Johnson was one of two Rangers to finish in double figures as the Benton junior tossed in a game-high 12 points, while Jacob Seidel tacked on 11 points.
Reid Baumgarte netted nine in the win for BCHS, while Wyatt McClintock added eight points. Carson Lewis scored six points, while Brad Hammond had three points and Blake Stewart finished with two points.
Benton led wire-to-wire against its cross county rival, jumping out to a 16-10 first quarter lead and led 23-15 at halftime. The Rangers outscored Hamilton County 17-11 to take a 40-26 lead into the final eight minutes.
On Wednesday, Benton will play Vandalia at 5:30 p.m., followed by a game against Sesser-Valier on Friday at 7 p.m. The Rangers will wrap up the BIT with two games Saturday, taking on Meridian at 11:30 a.m. and cap off the night, taking on state ranked Pinckneyville at 8:30 p.m.
Murphysboro 51,Benton 46
After matching Murphysboro score-for-score in the first two quarters, the Rangers took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter, but was outscored 18-12 in a 51-46 loss to the Red Devils last Friday night.
Benton put three players in double figures as Lewis finished with a team-high 14 points, Hammond had 12 points and Johnson finished with 11 points. Baumgarte scored seven points and Seidel scored two points.