Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
Russell Conwell/River Radio Sports Central
BENTON — A record-setting night and some late game heroics paved the way for a Benton/Pinckneyville championship game at the 49th Benton Invitational Tournament.
Rangers’ junior Docker Tedeschi set the BIT record for most three-pointers in a single game when he buried 9-10 from behind the line on the way to a game high 33 points to lead Benton past Meridian 78-49 in the first semifinal.
Tedeschi got rolling early, knocking down three from long range as the Rangers jumped out to a 12-0 lead less than two minutes in and never looked back. He scored 21 of his 33 in the opening quarter as the Rangers built a 30-9 lead after one. The lead grew to 47-21 at the half, eventually reaching a running clock early in the fourth quarter on what else, a Tedeschi three.
Luke Melvin added 15 for the Rangers. AJ Flenoid Jr. led Meridian with 16 with Javionne Ranson adding 14.
The second semifinal between Herrin and Pinckneyville wound up coming down to the final seconds. The Panthers 67-66 after holding 10-point leads in both the first and fourth quarters, only to watch the Tigers rally and take the lead. Herrin grabbed a 66-65 lead with 20 seconds left in an unlikely manner. Junior Kyrese Lukens, who led all scorers wtih 29 and surpassed 1000 career points along the way, missed two free throws but was able to grab the loose ball rebound and score to put the Tigers on top.
After a timeout, Pinckneyville went inside to Karsen Konkel. The Tigers poked the ball away, but it went right to Riley Bauersachs who calmly banked in the go ahead basket with 1.4 seconds to play. That turned out to be the game winner as Herrin’s Jonathan Harrison’s halfcourt shot at the buzzer was off the of the mark.
Benton will face Pinckneyville for the title, while Meridian will take on Herrin for third place. Earlier in the day, it will be Hamilton County/Sesser-Valier in the 7th Place game, followed by Carterville/Vandalia in the Consolation Championship.
