GIRLS BASKETBALL: Lady Indians top Cairo, fall to Z-R-C at Carterville Tourney

Du Quoin split a pair of games at Saturday's Carterville Mid-Winter girls basketball tournament, defeating Cairo in the early game 65-57 before falling to Zeigler-Royalton-Christopher in their second contest, 45-38.

Du Quoin trailed 15-14 at the end of one quarter but exploded for 26 second quarter points to take a 40-26 point lead into the half. Alaina Caldwell had eleven of her game-high fifteen points in the period, including three three-point baskets.

"The second quarter was one of the best quarters that we have played all year," said DHS head coach Shawn File. "We did a very good job using our pressure to disrupt the Cairo offense and making them uncomfortable."

The Lady Indians outscored Cairo 18-13 in the third quarter to lead by 19 heading into the fourth.

Grace Haney (13 points) and Jordyn Bullar (10) joined Alaina Caldwell in double figures. Kate Smith, Tarynn Mays, and Sadie Day each added eight points, and Mackenzie Jackson finished with three.

About two hours after the completion of the Cairo game, the Lady Indians took on Z-R-C in a quick turnaround matchup. Both teams had a slow start in the game, but ZRC led 8-2 after the first quarter and 17-13 at the end of the first half.

"We came out flat in the first quarter and had a difficult time playing catch-up," File said.

After hitting seven three-pointers in the first game against Cairo, the Lady Indians didn't make a single triple against Z-R-C.

"Some of that may have been not having the legs," said File, "but the girls did a great job of battling against a good Z-R-C team."

Haney again led the Lady Indians in scoring with ten points, Jackson added six, Bullar and Day each had five, Mays, Smith, and Caldwell each added four points. Caldwell was named to the all-tournament team.

Du Quoin (7-17) will travel to Benton on Thursday evening.