BASKETBALL: Sesser-Valier sneaks past Lady Indians
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Too many missed shots and too many missed opportunities can cost you a ball game. Such was the case on Monday evening as DuQuoin lost to Sesser-Valier at home.
At forty seconds, Sesser-Valier was in the lead 53-50. DuQuoin had the ball and needed a three pointer to tie the game. The opportunities were there, but DuQuoin could not connect. With one second left, a foul was called on DuQuoin. S-V shot two free throws and added to the cushion. The final score was 55-50 in Sesser-Valier's favor.
Sesser-Valier led throughout the game, but DuQuoin stayed close. At the end of the first quarter, it was 14-11 S-V. DuQuoin trailed by two at the half 25-23. S-V led 43-37 at the end of three.
DuQuoin was led in scoring by Jessica Hirsch with 16 points. Rebekah Maddox had 10, Steffanie Gates 9, Curry Emling 7, Taylor King 5, and Cassidy Rice 3. Ashley Ward also saw playing time for the Indians. DuQuoin's record falls to 12-14.
Sesser-Valier was led by Chelsea Miller with 17. Maegan Eskew had 12, Rachel Marlo 11, Mikala Williams 8, Tasha Doerr 5, and Rae Lappin 2.
Sesser-Valier is coached by Brian Gibson and the Assistant Coach is Craig Garner. Garner is a former DHS teacher and coach.
Coach Shawn File was obviously disappointed and said, "I am really proud of the fire that we showed in the last few minutes of the game, but we needed to do that the whole ball game. We had three really good looks at the basket at the end, but they just did not fall.
"We gave S-V too many second chance opportunities, and sent them to the foul line too many times. They had a lot of open looks; we were a step slow getting to them. Number three (Chelsea Miller) is a nice ball player. She had a good game as did #22 (Maegan Eskew). Cassidy Rice played really well in both games for us. Tomorrow we go to Nashville. We will have to get ourselves back together."
The Junior Varsity team also lost. The final score was 47-38. DuQuoin led 12-3 at the end of the first quarter. The game was tied at 17 at the half and at 29 at the end of the third quarter. Sesser-Valier managed to win the game in the fourth quarter.
Taylor King had 11 points followed by Cassidy Rice with 10. Hailey Stewart scored 7 points, Bailie Caldwell 5, and Katrina Whitley had 3. Shelby Presley also saw playing time for the Indians. The JV record is 5-8. They are coached by Jason James.
DuQuoin travels to Nashville on Tuesday evening for a Conference game, and then is at home on Thursday evening for Senior Night. DuQuoin plays Anna-Jonesboro on Thursday. DuQuoin starts regional play next week.