Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
COBDEN – Two nights after rallying from nine points down late to win their sectional semifinal game, the Meridian Bobcats erased a seven-point second half deficit to down Goreville 69-63 to win the Cobden 1A Sectional championship.
It’s Meridian’s third straight sectional title and trip to the supersectionals.
The back and forth, high energy game in a sold out, electric gym saw the Bobcats hit six free throws in the final 14.1 seconds for the win.
Colin Monan had missed two free throws with 16.7 seconds left, but the loose ball rebound went right to Monan, who was fouled again. This time he made both free throws for a 65-63 lead.
With star senior point guard Cole Tripp on the bench having fouled out, the Blackcats turned it over. Meridian senior Shamar Easley made 1-2 at the line for a 66-63 with 8.1 seconds.
Goreville had a chance to tie, but Monan came up with a steal to prevent the Blackcats from even getting a shot off. The Bobcats senior was fouled with .4 to play. A pair of technicals were assessed leading to even more free throws. Monan hit three before the Bobcats inbounded the ball to run out the clock and start celebrating.
Meridian sophomore AJ Flenoid Jr. led all scorers with 23 points. Monan and Easley added 16 points apiece. Tripp led Goreville with 14 points. Garrett Church added 12 on four first half 3-pointers, and Connor Craig tallied 11.
The 25-8 Bobcats will head back to Charleston for the EIU Supersectional Monday night at 7:00 against Effingham St. Anthony.
The Blackcats finished a great season at 32-4.
