Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
GOREVILLE — After rolling through the rest of the field and appearing to be on their way to a similar result in the championship game, the Benton Rangers made clutch plays down the stretch to down the host Blackcats 58-51 in the championship game of the 11th Goreville Invitational.
Benton (6-0) built a 14-point second quarter lead and led 33-20 at the half only to watch Goreville (5-1) cut that lead to 41-38 after three quarters. The Blackcats closed within one twice in the fourth quarter but could never get the lead.
Clutch buckets from Docker Tedeschi plus a steal and layup from Luke Melvin helped the Rangers weather the storm and hold on for the victory.
Tedeschi led all scorers with 19 points, with Isaac Billington adding 12 and Melvin 11 for Benton. Drake Mays led Goreville with 15. Connor Craig added 14 for the Blackcats.
Billington was named Tournament MVP with teammates Tedeschi, Melvin and Evan Munoz joining him on the All-Tournament Team. Moss, Cole Tripp, and Tyler Suits also earned all-tournament honors along with Harrisburg’s Cam Ande, and Anna-Jonesboro teammates Luke Harvel and JJ Gerardi.
