Panthers, Hougland roll to another title; play Nashville Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Pinckneyville Panthers are regional champions....again!

Friday's 59-49 win over Trico improved Pinckneyville's record to 25-6 and moves them to the sectional play.

They'll play Nashville (20-10) Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Breese Central (25-5) and Alton Marquette (21-9) play Tuesday as the Pinckneyville sectional begins.

Clayton Houghland scored eight points in the first half and finished with a game-high 28 points to lead the Panthers.

J.C. Moll added 12 points as Pinckneyville broke away from 8-6 deficit to lead 15-11 as the first stanza ended.

After the Panthers led 25-18 at half time, Pinckneyville took a 13-point lead midway through the third quarter.

Justin Bauersachs of Trico hit back-to-back twos to trim the margin to nine, but Panthers bounced back.

Moll answered with a three and Houghland marked twice inside for a 42-26 lead after three

Despite a late rally for the Pioneers, the Pinckneyville Panthers closed things out

Trent Koch had 16 for Trico (13-17). Jake Compton added 14.

In the IHSA three-point show down, four players advanced to Pinckneyville this week.

Devin Brown of Sparta, Austin Carpenter of Chester, Chad Heatherly of Du Quoin and Will Martin of Pinckneyville all advance to shoot again on Wednesday.

Breese Favored in

Pinckneyville Sectional

Breese Central and Lawrenceville are the pre-tournament favorites at the Pinckneyville and Flora sectionals this week.

Breese Central ( 27-4) and Alton Marquette begin sectional Tuesday night at Pinckneyville.

Host Pinckneyville (25 -6) and Nashville (20-10) will play Wednesday with the championship set for Friday.

The Panthers and Hornets have split two previous meetings.

At Flora, Lawrenceville (27-2) and Carterville (20-10) meet Tuesday with Mt. Carmel and Teutopolis (24-6) playing on Wednesday. The finals are Friday.

Mt Carmel is 18-12 and Alton Marquette is 21-10

All games, at Pinckneyville and Flora, are set 7 p.m.

The two sectional finalists move to the SIU Arena for the Class 2A super-sectional at a week from tomorrow.