Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
Video courtesy Russell Conwell/River Radio Sports Central student correspondent
BENTON — As Carlyle and Nashville get ready to compete in a 2A subsectional of death, the Indians and Hornets had to face a pair of the area’s top 1A teams at Benton’s Rich Herrin Classic.
Carlyle used a suffocating defensive effort to beat Waltonville 50-36. The Indians led 9-8 after one quarter and took a 22-17 lead into the half. The lead was 36-29 after three as the Indians outscored the Spartans 14-7 in the fourth quarter for the 14-point victory.
Zach Persing’s 15 points led three Indians in double figures. Rhettick Steinkamp and Hayden Huels added 12 each. Spartans’ junior Gage Peterson led all scorers with 21.
In the final game of the day, Nashville built a 39-21 halftime lead on Goreville then had to hold off the Blackcats down the stretch for a 70-63 win. Goreville got as close as five in the final minute, but the Hornets made a couple of defensive stands and hit clutch free throws to close it out.
Nashville’s Maddox Ritzel led all scorers with 24 points. Ty Schoenherr added 20 for the Hornets. Nick King led four Blackcats in double figures with 13. Garrett Church added 12 with Cole Tripp and Connor Craig tallying 11 apiece.
In other games at the Rich Herrin Classic, Madison outlasted Webber 87-82 in overtime despite 49 points from Nathaniel Marlow. Despite 20 points from Hunter Webb, Vienna fell to El Paso-Gridley 65-57. Marshall County (KY) beat Mascoutah 71-64, and the host Rangers took care of Sparta 70-41. Docker Tedeschi led the Rangers with 19 points to pass 1500 for his career.
