BASKETBALL: Harrisburg zips past DMS at state
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[It was a sad way to end a season--a season that had many high points. It was sad because the game the DuQuoin Middle School Basketball Team played on Saturday in the Class L State Tournament was not a typical DMS performance from this season. The fans in the bleachers were stunned, almost to the point of disbelief as DMS lost to Harrisburg 57-16.
DMS started out the first quarter very slowly and could never get it going. They had only two points in the first quarter. They had open shots, but nothing would go in. Three pointers that were usually made fell off, spun out, or were long. Free throws and field goals were no better. The first quarter score was 7-2 Harrisburg. There was hope that the second quarter would improve, but that didn't happen. Harrisburg led 27-4 at the half. The third quarter ended at 43-11, and the final score was 57-16. DuQuoin's final record is 12-11.
During the season DMS won their own tournament in the first week of the season. A feat that had not happened in several years. DMS also won the Regional to advance to the State Tournament. These young men and their coaches have much of which to be proud from this season. One game does not a season make. While a game like this may cause a negative memory, it is only a small blip in the grand scheme of life. These young men and Coaches Ryan Heape and Jacob Emling worked very hard this season. They deserve praise and respect. They represented our community and school very well. This game is simply one you learn from and move on.
DuQuoin's leading scorer was Jarred Thomas with 7 points. Jacob Valier had 3, A.J. Smith 2, Jerry Kuhnert 2, and Hunter Behm 2. Coach Heape was able to play all of his players. Also, seeing action for the Warriors were Nolan Showalter, Lane Valier, Jacob Hunziker, Jon Harsy, Noah Campbell, Logan Patalas, Jacob Wright, Tucker Kuhnert, Cole Hopkins, and Jordan Carson.
Harrisburg was led in scoring by Carson Batts with 17 points. Bahari Amaya 11, Corbin Crim and Jamel Gentry had 7 points each, Carver Gregg 6, Sykes Thompson 4, Noah Vallette 4, and Cooper Thompson 1. Harrisburg is coached by Kevin Dowdy and the Assistant Coach is Marcus Questelle.
Coach Ryan Heape had this to say: "I am proud of this group. They played hard. You hate to go out with a loss like that, but Harrisburg made sure that we did not get the ball inside. We were unable to hit any shots outside. We are a little school in a big team world. This is a good bunch of kids to work with. They have come a long way. They will do well in high school. You always want to have a .500 season, which we did."
The first game of the morning was won by Carriel Jr. High of O'Fallon against Mt. Carmel. O'Fallon won 67-54. O'Fallon will play Harrisburg on Tuesday, February 15 at 6:00. The Championship game is scheduled for Thursday, February 17, at 7:30.
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