BASKETBALL: Warriors move on to championship game

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The DuQuoin Middle School Boys Basketball Team had a tough night trying to get by Chester in the first round of the Class L, Region 3 Regional being held at DMS Gym on Wednesday evening. DuQuoin played the late game (7:30) against Chester. Chester gave DuQuoin a few scary moments, and played with a lot of effort. DuQuoin won the game 46-37, but Chester stayed close the entire game.

At the end of the first quarter, DuQuoin was only leading 8-7. The half-time score was somewhat better at 22-17. DuQuoin led by eight, 37-24, at the end of the third quarter.

With less than two minutes to play, Chester pulled within 5 points of DuQuoin. DuQuoin battled back to extend the lead to nine at the end of the game winning 46-37.

The leading scorer for DMS was A.J. Smith with 14 points. Jarred Thomas had 13, Jacob Wright 5, Jacob Hunziker 5, Lane Valier 4, Jerry Kuhnert 4, and Noah Campbell 1. Nolan Showalter and Cole Hopkins also saw playing time for the Warriors. The Warriors record moves to 11-10 for the season.

Chester was led in scoring by Hunter Howie with 11 points and Cody Eggemeyer with 10 points.

Coach Ryan Heape felt that "our kids were not mentally ready to play tonight. When it is post season, it is over and done. If you want to move on, you have to win."

"That game is behind us," Heape continued. "Basketball is a mental game, and you have to be prepared, and as a group we were not. But we will bounce back for Saturday. We have to. They should be ready for that game." The game Coach Heape is referring to is the Regional Championship game to be played against Trico at 2:00 on Saturday. The DMS assistant coach is Jacob Emling.

Trico won the first game of the evening (6:00) against Murphysboro in somewhat of an upset. Murphysboro was the #2 seed; Trico #3. Trico led the entire game winning 45-41.

Trico had three players in double figures--Jake Compton 10, Anthony Loucks 10, and Trevor Daniels 10. Ryan Myers had 9 and Jacob Chapman 2 points for the Pioneers. The Pioneers are coached by Jeremy Pierce.

Trico and DuQuoin will compete for the Regional Championship on Saturday at 2:00 the DMS Gym.