BASKETBALL: DHS girls win big at home
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[As a Coach, you know when your point guard is out sick that it might be a rough night for your basketball team. The DuQuoin Indians Girls Basketball Team was able to overcome that obstacle. Starting guard and leading scorer, Jessica Hirsch, was ill with the flu, but her teammates were still able to beat Carterville 44-31 on Tuesday evening.
The first three quarters were close, but DuQuoin pulled off the victory in the fourth quarter. At the end of the first quarter, DuQuoin was leading 13-8, but the Indians were outscored 12 to 6 in the second quarter as Carterville took a one point lead at 20-19. The third quarter ended with DuQuoin leading 28-27. DuQuoin outscored Carterville in the fourth quarter 16 points to 4 points taking the victory at 44-31.
DuQuoin's record is now 5-2 and 1-1 in the Conference. DuQuoin's leading scorer was Curry Emling with 12 points. Cassidy Rice had 9 on 3-three pointers. Ashley Ward had 8 points as did Rebekah Maddox, and Steffanie Gates had 7. DuQuoin showed a very balanced offense as all five starters scored in the game. Hailey Stewart, Taylor King, and Shelby Presley also saw action during the game.
Coach Shawn File was overjoyed with the team's victory. "I am absolutely so pleased with what the girls did tonight. This was a real team victory. To be able to win with Jess (Hirsch) out was wonderful. The kids made the comment that they were "going to hold on to the rope." I am very pleased with the team victory. Everybody did something to contribute. We made 5-8 free throws in the fourth quarter turning a close ball game into a thirteen point victory. We played wonderfully tonight. I am so pleased. We went to a zone defense, which really helped. It forced Carterville to shoot from the outside. We limited their second chances, and it was a good ball game." This was the Indians first conference victory of the season.
The Jr. Varsity team, coached by Jason James, was not so fortunate. The young Indians lost 46-25 to Carterville. Carterville was ahead by one at the end of the first quarter 9-8. DuQuoin, however, was unable to score in the second quarter and was down at the half 23-8. Carterville continued to outscore the Indians to secure the victory. The JV record is 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
Scoring for DuQuoin was evenly balanced with Abby Myers 8, Taylor King 7, Hailey Stewart 3, Bailie Caldwell 2, Katrina Whitley 2, Shelby Presley 2, and Keawna Anders 1. Cassidy Rice, Morgan Dennis, and Ashanti Warren also saw action for the Indians.
The Indians travel to Murphysboro on Thursday, December 9. DuQuoin would love to avenge a one point loss to Murphysboro earlier in the season during the DuQuoin Tip-Off.
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