Benton splits pair of games with Bulldogs

The Harrisburg and Benton boys' basketball teams squared off in a pair of weekend games, where Benton drew first blood, winning Friday night 52-32, but the Bulldogs bounced back in Saturday night's contest, winning 45-43.
In the game Saturday night, Harrisburg jumped out to a 15-9 first quarter lead on the strength of five points from Michael Godsey and four points from Chris Allen as the two were the leading scorers for Harrisburg.
Allen had a team-high 14 points, including eight in the second half that helped propel the comeback.
Andrew Bittle netted nine points, seven coming in the second half, while Jessie Lawler scored seven points. Ben Brombaugh tossed in two points and Tevin Godsey had a free throw.
Payton Bayliss had a game-high 15 points for Benton, while Reece Johnson also finished in double figures with 12 points.
The Rangers outscored Harrisburg 14-5 in the second quarter to take a 23-20 lead into the locker room. Harrisburg closed the gap in the third quarter, getting to within two at 34-32 and in the final eighht minutes, Harrisburg outscored Benton 13-9.
Landon Bolen, Reid Baumgarte and Jacob Seidel all finished with four points, while Wyatt McClintock and Mitch Giacone each had two points.
Benton 52, Harrisburg 32
Benton put just two players in double figures and held Harrisburg to single digits in three-of-four quarters in posting a 20-point, 52-32 win Friday night.
Johnson had a game-high 19 points for the Rangers, while McClintock scored 16 points.
Bolen and Seidel each chipped in with seven points, while Giacone tacked on two and Baumgarte tossed in a free throw.
Harrisburg got a team-high 11 points from Michael Godsey, while Allen added six points. Lawler and Bittle each finished with four points, while Nate Lawrence tacked on three points. Tevin Godsey and Connor Henshaw each had two points.
Benton 59, West Frankfort 29
Landon Bolen and Jacob Seidel each had 11 points for the Rangers in a 30-point, 59-29 win at West Frankfort Tuesday night.
Reece Johnson netted nine points for Benton, while Mitch Giaccone added eight points. Reid Baumgarte scored seven and Wyatt McClintock chipped in with six points. Peyton Bayless finished with five points and Ayden Newcomb tossed in two points.