Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
MARION — For the first time since 1988, the Marion Wildcats are celebrating a South Seven boys basketball championship.
The Wildcats created a three-way tie for the title with a hard-fought 39-36 win over the Mt. Vernon Rams, who would’ve locked up the title outright with a win. Mt. Vernon, Marion, and Centralia will all share the title.
Just 10 days earlier, the Rams beat the Wildcats 66-65 in a double-overtime thriller. While the second meeting did not have as much scoring, there was nearly as much drama.
After being tied at the half, Wildcats’ senior Kaden Rogowski capped a 14-3 Marion run with a two-handed slam, giving the Cats a 32-21 lead. The Rams cut the deficit to 32-25 by the end of the quarter, and clawed their way back even at 35-35. Another Marion senior, Ethan Simmons, broke the tie with a fadeaway, turnaround jumper from the free throw line with less than 90 seconds to play.
Trailing by three in the closing seconds, the Rams’ potential game-tying shot was short. The buzzer went off, setting off a wild celebration for the Wildcats and their fans.
Simmons led all scorers with 14 points. Marlin Price led the Rams with 11.
Both teams will head to the Carbondale 3A Regional this week. Mt. Vernon (16-10) will take on the host Terriers in the first semifinal Wednesday at 6:00, with Marion (21-5) taking on Richland County in the second semifinal.
If the Rams and Wildcats both advance, it will mean a third meeting between the two teams in the past 17 days. This one would be for a regional plaque.
