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BASKETBALL: Warriors move on to State

Posted February 06, 2012 10:00 pm

Patricia Ferrari

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[It was a night to celebrate as the DuQuoin Middle School boys basketball team won the Championship of the Trico (Region 3) Tournament on Friday evening defeating Murphysboro 53-39.

Parents, fans, and a police car escorted the winning Warriors back to DuQuoin and then to the school in celebration of a fantastic win. The Warriors move on to the State Tournament to be held at Rend Lake College beginning on Saturday, February 11.

DuQuoin got off to a slow start, and the first quarter ended in a 6-6 tie. The Warriors picked up the pace in the second quarter and were leading 23-12 at the half. The third quarter had Murphysboro coming back into the game and outscoring the Warriors 17-8. Murphysboro pulled to within two points at 31-29.

But Jarred Thomas started the fourth quarter with a three pointer to put DuQuoin up 34-29. Tucker Kuhnert then scored under the basket after a steal to go up 36-29. The fourth quarter was all DuQuoin as they were able to make their free throws down the stretch. DuQuoin outscored Murphysboro 22-10 in the fourth quarter to make the final score 53-39.

Jarred Thomas had a superb game scoring 27 points for the Warriors. Thomas had four-three pointers in the contest. Both Brock Bullar and Jacob Wright had 9 points each. Tucker Kuhnert had 6, and Donovan Hamilton 2. Cole Hopkins, Hunter Behm, Chad Heatherly, and Trace Klein also saw action for the Warriors. Other team members are Braden Heape, Caleb Vogel, Dalton Day, and Nick King.

Murphysboro was led in scoring by Donovan Rheinhardt with 13 points. Kane Toliver had 7 points, Kavon Crockett 6, Braden Miller 6, Noah Baird 5, and Justin Pulcher 2.

Warrior Coach Ryan Heape was a happy man. "I told the kids, I was really proud of them. For once, they really played through their emotions, and they did not let the little things bother them. Without the foul trouble in the fourth quarter, we were really okay. We played one player with three fouls; we felt it was important to keep the lead. We preach about the fact that we work harder than others, but they want to win as much as you do. You have to step on the floor and earn the win. I was so proud of the kids! I told them to relish the win, and enjoy it throughout the weekend, but I hope this is not all you want. You have a great opportunity in front of us to make school history." The Assistant Coach for the Warriors is Jacob Emling.

The Warriors have a new trophy to add to the case at DMS, and will be looking to add more hardware as they move on to the State Tournament. Their record is now 16-7 overall.

DuQuoin advances to the SIJHSAA Class L State Tournament to be held on Saturday, February 11 at Rend Lake College. The Warriors will play at Noon against the winner of Region 4, Benton. The Semi-Finals are set for Tuesday, February 14 at 6:00 and 7:15. The State Championship game is Thursday, February 16 at 7:30.

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