The Road to Peoria— Du Quoin and Murphysboro decide sectional title
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[As the crow flies-and depending on what shortcut you may choose to run-only 25 miles seperate Du Quoin and Murphysboro.
When it comes to boys basketball, however, the two longtime athletic rivals have turned into passing strangers the last dozen years.
Since Du Quoin elected to end what was a 62-year contiuing series in 1997, there's been just one previous hardwood meeting; a sizeable Du Quoin victory to decide Sparta's Class 2A regional title two season's back.
Friday night, the old foes renew acquaintances with another post season crown at stake in the finals of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Herrin 2A sectional.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 in historic Memorial Gymnasium. An overflow crowd, possibly exceeding 2,500, is being anticipated.
Murphysboro (28-2) reached the finals after an impressive Tuesday win over Harrisburg.
Du Quoin (25-6)trumped Pinckneyville the following night.
"We are less than 30 minutes apart and do probably need to be playing Du Quoin, again," Red Devils coach Darry Murphy admitted Thursday. "Its not like we haven't tried. Coach (Mike) Crews and I have talked about this quite a bit the past few years. We've just not really been able to get anything coordinated. I think both sides are hoping that will change pretty soon."
Murphy and Crews-who enjoy a long standing friendship-have future meetings at the back of their collective minds as Friday approaches.
Both teams enter riding long win streaks.
The Indians have won 12-of-their last 13, ripping off eight straight victories following a loss to Class 3A Breese Mater Dei. Murphysboro boasts an 11-game victory streak, last falling against Madison at the Massac County Superman Classic.
"Murphysboro's a fine ballclub and very athletic," Crews said. "We took a vote as a team and have decided to show up and play Friday," he joked." "All kidding aside we know they are the favorites and a very formidale opponent. But we are going to show up and compete. "
Dre' Shean Payne (16.7 ppg.), the club's lone starting senior, leads Murphysboro.
The 6'1 sharpshooter torched Harrisburg for 20 points Tuesday.
Versatile juniors Dylan Craig (6'3, F-C) and Jerrod Gaston (6'1, G) also score in double figures with reserve Pierre House (6'1, jr., 9.2 ppg.) not far behind.
Orlando Jarrett (6'0, jr., 6.3 ppg.) and 6'3 Eben Brooks (5.6 ppg.) complete a salty six-man rotation.
'This is a really young team," Murphy said. "We feel very blessed . Du Quoin's a senior-laden group and they've been through the wars not only in basketball, but in football, track and baseball. too. Anytime you play against kids that seasoned-especially this late in the year-that has to be a concern. Du Quoin's the complete package. Gossett's an all-stater. They have a great point guard (Reed), two good kids in that 6'5 or 6'6 range (Logan Carson and Logan Schnedier) to go along with Gossett. And, J.C. Davis is just a pure shooter."
Gossett (6'4, 200, sr., F-C) is the only double figure scorer for Du Quoin (16.6 ppg.) but the trio of Reed (5'9, sr.), Schneider (6'5, sr.) and Davis (5'11, jr.) all score just under 109 points per outing.
Defensive whizzes Marcus Clarry (6'0, sr.), David Rose (6'1, sr.) and Cody Rose (6'2, sr.) and Sam Gossett (6'3, so.) provide plenty of depth.
Carson-still another senior reserve-can defend and score on the perimeter or at the rim. Carson blocked four shots and recorded two key steals versus Pinckneyville.
"Certainly this season hasn't been a story of just one or two kids for us," Crews said.
"This has been a total team effort. Every night out, especially since the early part of January, we've had several different kids step up at very importanttimes. Right now, we are about nine deep and have worlds of confidence in those kids."
Friday's winner moves into the final round of eight and will play either Breese Central (29-2) or Pana (24-7) at the West Frankfort Super-Sectional next Tuesday.
"Friday should be a wonderful game and just great to be a part of," Murphy said. "The atmosphere will be awesome. We respect Du Quoin and they respect us. These are the kind of games you just want to be a part of."
Du Quoin last appeared in the "Sweet 16" a quarter-century ago (1986) and returns to the sectional finals for the first time since 2003.
Murphysboro last reached the super-sectional round in 1982, playing in Class AA.
TICKET TALK
Du Quoin High School Athletic Director confirmed that advance super-sectional tickets-providing the Indians can win Friday's match with Murphysboro-would be sold in Du Quoin from 4-5:30 p.m. Monday.
The site will again be the lobby ticket window of Anders Gym.
All seats are priced at $6 as set by the IHSA.
Campbell's office, through 10 a.m. Friday, was expecting to return less than 100 tickets to Herrin following advance sales Thursday.
"Right now we've sold 600-plus tickets," he said.
"Our allottment of chair seats was sold out in a big hurry. We'll take a big crowd to Herrin."