BASKETBALL: Du Quoin fights off Z-R-C to advance
ZEIGLER, IL - The DuQuoin High School girls basketball team was able to take revenge on the Zeigler-Royalton-Christopher Tornadoes on Monday evening. DuQuoin avenged a previous loss to Z-R-C from earlier in the season, and defeated them in the first round of the regional (held at Z-R) 55-45. DuQuoin's record is 9-19 on the season.
DuQuoin got off to a good start with Taylor King scoring four first quarter points as the Indians led 10-8. Z-R-C tied it up moments into the second quarter, and took the lead briefly on a few occasions - the last time coming on a steal and lay-up by Maddy Caruso with 2:45 to go in the half to put the Tornadoes up 20-18.
It was at that point DuQuoin started to take over. The Indians scored the final seven points of the half, four of those coming on jump shots by Rebekah Maddox. DHS led 25-20 at the midway point of the ball game.
The Indians' run continued in the third quarter with a basket from Kelsey Robinson and two more jumpers from Maddox. Robinson added two free throws with 3:40 to go in the period to complete a 15-0 run for DuQuoin through the second and third periods, and the lead was 33-20.
Just when the game seemed to be in the Indians' grasp, Z-R-C rallied back to within three with 5:45 to play. The majority of the comeback was done at the free throw line as several Indians were whistled into foul trouble. Maddox and Katrina Whitley both had to sit before the end of the third quarter with four fouls.
But with 5:30 remaining in the game, Maddox grabbed a rebound, stuck it back for two points and drew a foul. Her free throw extended the lead back to six, then Bailie Caldwell put in a deep two-pointer for a 43-35 DuQuoin advantage as the Tornadoes started to run out of time in their season.
Coach Shawn File was a happy man after the victory. "Z-R-C turned up their pressure, but we did a nice job of handling the pressure for most of the night. I am very proud of the team effort tonight. This was a pretty good team we beat tonight. They had won 17 games on the season. We ran into some foul trouble in the first half, and did a good job of getting the ball inside to Maddox."
Maddox finished the game with 21 points. Robinson chipped in 8 points, Andrea Morgan 8, Abby Myers 6, King 5, Whitley 4, and Caldwell 3.
DuQuoin continues to play in the regional on Wednesday evening. DuQuoin will be playing conference rival Nashville (for the third time) at Z-R. Game time is 6:00.
-Doug Daniels of the Du Quoin Evening Call contributed to this story.