Saturday's Boys Prep Basketball: Du Quoin's Winning Streak Extends to Six

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[For the first time since the 28-victory and sectional finalist season of 2002-03, Du Quoin High School's Boys Basketball team has started its season with six consecutive wins.

The latest triumph-an impressive 83-71dispatching of Harrisburg-produced Du Quoin's first win over the Bulldogs since February of 2003-and also marked the Tribe's biggest offensive output this young season.

Matt Gossett (21), J.C. Davis (20), Logan Schneider and Jamor Reed (13) were top point-makers as Du Quoin put at least four scorers in double digits for the second straight night.

Schneider (12 rebounds) and Gossett (10 rebounds) produced double-doubles. Reed and Davis combined for nine steals and 13 assists.

"We've got a pretty energetic group that gets up and down the floor pretty well, "Indians coach Mike Crews said. "We are playing a lot of people and everyone is contributing in a pretty positive manner. 6-0 is great start. This was by no means an easy weekend for us. We played two pretty good basketball teams."

The first four minutes were nip-and-tuck before the Indians turned an 8-7 deficit into a 16-8 lead with an 8-0 spurt, which proved to be a sign of things to come.

A long three from Reed, Schneider's fast-break layin and a three-ball from Gossett put the Indians ahead for good. A white-hot first quarter for the Tribe resulted in 26 points-and a nine point cushion.

The margin reached 34-19 early in the second quarter after Du Quoin started the frame with eight of the first 10 points. By halftime, the Indians were in front 38-28.

Cain Sheldon kept Harrisburg (4-3) afloat by netting 18 of his game-high 27 points during the first two frames.

"Anyone in attendance could tell we were having trouble defending #33 (Sheldon) and the dribble drive," Crews admitted. "We ran up and face-guarded him way too much. He really hurt us all night long."

Harrisburg would get as close as six points just once in the second half (49-43) with 3 1/2 minutes remaining in third quarter before Du Quoin warmed up with its third 8-0 spurt of the contest. Davis and Schneider each had buckets during the flurry with Gossett adding four paints in the paint.

Ahead 59-49 as the final period began, Du Quoin salted away the victory with perfect 10-for-10 foul shooting down the half.

Finishing 19-of-25 (76%), the Indians warmed up nicely after a slow start and missed just one of their final 15 charity tosses.

"Free throw shooting had started to become a concern," Crews said. "But Reed, Gossett and Schneider were tough as nails in the fourth quarter."

Freshman Caleb Henshaw (15) was the only other Bulldog to score more than six points.

In Saturday's jayvee game, Du Quoin (1-1) roared back from an early 12-point deficit to notch its first win, 73-63.

Sophomores John Galik (16) and Sam Gossett (15) were top scorers for the Tribe with classmate Johnathon Boss adding 10. Seth Baxter had nine points.

Du Quoin 83, Harrisburg 71

Harrisburg 17 11 21 22-71

Du Quoin 26 12 21 24-83

Harrisburg (4-3, 0-1):

Ry. Roper 0 0-0 0, Re. Roper 2 0-0 6, T. Smithpeters 1 2-2 5, R. Smithpeters 0 0-0 0, Stewart 0 0-0 0, Henshaw 7 0-0 15, Raasch 2 1-2 6, Sheldon 11 2-2 27, King 0 0-0 0, Elverd 3 0-0 6, Gibbs 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 30 4-8 71.

Du Quoin (6-0, 1-0):

Davis 8 1-3 20, Reed 3 6-6 13, Clarry 1 0-0 2, Schneider 7 4-6 18, M. Gossett 6 7-8 21, D. Rose 2 0-0 4, Carson 1 0-0 2, C. Rose 1 1-2 3, Baxter 0 0-0 0, S. Gossett 0 0-0 0, Williams 0 0-0 0, Kuhnert 0 0-0 0, Jones 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 29 19-25 83.

THREE-POINTERS-Harrisburg 7 (T. Smithpeters 1, Sheldon 3, Re. Roper 1, Henshaw 1, Raasch 1. Du Quoin 6 (Davis 3, M. Gossett 2, Reed 1). TEAM FOULS-Harrisburg 16 , Du Quoin 13. FOULED OUT-Henshaw.