Patriots struggle with Herrin, Benton

At Herrin on Friday, Feb. 10, the Tigers raced out to a 15-3 first quarter lead, and Massac never recovered. The 12-point lead remained fairly static in the second quarter as Massac couldn’t make up any ground, and at the halftime horn, the lead was 14 at 26-12.

Massac had their best scoring quarter of the game in the third, but Herrin wasn’t letting go, and the third quarter had Herrin on top 42-24. The final eight minutes was virtually non-competitive as the teams traded baskets and substituted freely. The horn sounded with Herrin on top 52-35.

With the IHSA decision on the Herrin-Benton fracas being declared a “no-contest,” the Tigers now stand alone atop the SIRR-Ohio.

Needing a win, the Patriots came home for a Saturday night, Feb. 11, game with Benton.

The double overtime win at Benton earlier this year was only a memory Saturday night as the Patriots started out almost exactly like they had at Herrin 24 hours earlier.

The 11-point, 19-8, first quarter deficit ballooned to a 26-point margin, 44-18, at halftime, and, for all intents and purposes, the game was over.

Only the final margin was to be decided — 65-43 turned out to be the final number as both teams’ benches finished the contest.

Massac finishes out the regular season tonight, Thursday, Feb. 16, at West Frankfort.