Panthers, Indians both early winners in DTHC action

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Pinckneyville and Du Quoin are both 1-0 in holiday tournament action after morning victories over Steeleville and Lawrenceville at the 2009 Duster Thomas Hoops Classic.

The Panthers trailed after the first quarter 14-9, but came back strong with a 17-2 second quarter en route to a 76-42 victory over Steeleville in the 8:30 a.m. contest to kick off the tournament.

Du Quoin followed up that game by thumping Lawrenceville 71-31 as the two Perry County rivals took the first step towards a rematch of last week's classic triple-overtime thriller.

Red Bud takes on Benton at 11:30 a.m. with Olney meeting Carterville at 1:00 p.m. The tournament's second session will see the Rangers returning to face Lawrenceville at 4:00 p.m., Carterville vs. Steeleville at 5:30 p.m., Du Quoin vs. Red Bud at 7:00 p.m., and the host Panthers taking on 2007 D.T.H.C. champion and defending runner-up Olney at 8:30 p.m.