CARTERVILLE — The Carterville Lions were not in a sharing mood Thursday night. The Lions wrapped up the SIRR Ohio division title outright with a 49-40 win over Murphysboro. The Red Devils could’ve grabbed a share of the title with a win.
The championship comes in Carterville’s first season in the Ohio after switching from the Mississippi. The Lions also won the division title last year in their final season in the Mississippi.
Carterville led 9-8 after one quarter and extended that lead to 21-15 by halftime. The lead was still six at 38-32 after three quarters with the Lions pulling away down the stretch, leading by as many as 14, before winning by nine.
Winners of seven straight, Carterville steams into the postseason, finishing the regular season 18-11 (6-2). Murphysboro falls to 18-11 (4-4).
These two teams could meet again next Wednesday in the semifinals of the West Frankfort 2A Regional. The Lions will welcome Johnston City in a quarterfinal matchup Monday night, with the winner advancing to face Murphysboro.
