Du Quoin Tip-Off Classic: Competitive Field Chases Tribe, Waltonville

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The 11th Annual Du Quoin Tip-Off Classic opens Monday night much like the 2008 event began- with its five-team field chasing Du Quoin and Waltonville.

Last year's defending co-champs again expect to decide the crown when they meet in the event's final game Saturday night.

In between, however, nine exciting games await.

The curtain raises in renovated Anders Memorial Gymnasium at 6:30 Monday when Benton plays Cairo. Waltonville and Carterville square off at 8 p.m. Du Quoin is idle until Wednesday's session, tangling with Carterville.

"This is a pretty challenging week to open the season," fifth-year Du Quoin coach Mike Crews said. "There are five good programs here and the competition is always strong. Its going to take a pretty solid week of basketball to come out of here with the championship."

Du Quoin returns 2008 Classic Most Valuable Player Matt Gossett and all-tourney selection Marcus Clarry from a 24-win squad while Waltonville has three all-tourney performers back in Joseph Lewis, 2007 MVP Skyler Witges and Brock Wheatley.

Cairo has the event's tallest player, 6-8 center Arthur Williams, returning after two consecutive all-tournament honors.

Carterville, 0-4 last year, expects to be much improved. Daniel Lingafelter and Alec Lenzini are returning starters for the Lions, an original Tip-Off member who will leave the tourney after this year.

Benton's new coach, Ron Winemiller, has only two seniors on the roster. He does welcome back experienced guards Cody Smith and Kyler Smith, along with forward Caleb Suver.

Cairo builds around Williams with returning guards Herschel Graham (11 ppg.) and Rodney Woodson. The Pilots also have an ultra-talented freshman class that should make an immediate impact.

11th Annual Du Quoin Tip-Off Classic

Monday, Nov. 30

Cairo vs. Benton, 6:30 p.m.

Carterville vs. Waltonville, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 2

Waltonville vs. Cairo, 6:30 p.m.

Du Quoin vs. Carterville, 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 4

Benton vs. Waltonville, 6:30 p.m.

Du Quoin vs Cairo, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5

Du Quoin vs. Benton, 12:30 p.m.

Carterville vs. Cairo, 2 p.m.

Benton vs. Carterville, 6:30 p.m.

Waltonville vs. Du Quoin, 8 p.m.