Murph, Tipler lead Eagles over Herrin

CARBONDALE -- Back-to-back slam dunks by Brian Murph ignited New Madrid County Central in the first round of the Carbondale Holiday Tournament Thursday night, leading the Eagles to an 83-63 win over Herrin.

The 6-foot-1 senior shot 8-for-10 from the field, 5-for-5 from the foul line and hit his only 3-point attempt for 22 points. He also pulled down six rebounds with one assist. "Brian played real well," said NMCC coach Joby Holland. "He was a big spark for us, it was as well as I've seen him play. He put it all together today."

Of Murph's 22 points in the game, 15 came in the second half. With the score tied at 50 heading into the fourth quarter, NMCC looked to both Murph and standout Dereke Tipler to lead the charge. As always, Tipler was up to the challenge, scoring 17 of his game-high 29 points in the final frame.

"Dereke really stepped it up," said Holland. "He took the game into his hands, which he has to do from time to time. He took over in the fourth quarter on the offensive end and took us to another level."

NMCC also had a breakout game from Terrance Smith, who hit two crucial 3-pointers and finished with 17 points. As a team, the Eagles his four treys on nine attempts.

"Terrance is playing some real consistent basketball," said Holland. "His defense has been steady for us all along, and now he's making real good decisions on the offensive end. He's producing well. Terrance, Tyler (Wagner) and Brian are capable of hitting the 3 consistently. They did that today, which helped open some things up for the guys inside."

Derrell Minner and Desmond Sims had seven rebounds each. The Eagles played the game without second-leading scorer Ronland Ranson, who spent all of Christmas break with his family in Virginia.

For Herrin, Brian Algee (6-9) led the charge with 27 points. Mike Gavis finished with 13, followed by Greg Murphy with 10. "(Algee) was a big one to handle around the basket," said Holland. "They've got a nice team and some nice players. We played extremely well today against a team that has beaten us the last three years. It was a big win for our players."

Derrell Minner and Desmond Sims had seven rebounds each. NMCC (6-0) will face top-seeded Cairo (10-0) today at 1 p.m. Herrin will play Steeleville at 9 a.m.

"The boys have something to prove, to show that they can play with the teams over here," said Holland. "Cairo will be a huge challenge for us. They're very athletic and they go about 10 deep. If we come to play I think we'll have an opportunity to win, but it's going to be a war from the get-go."

In the first game of the A tournament, top-seeded Cairo handled Steeleville, 58-43. Six-foot-6 center Kenny Simelton led the charge for the Pilots with 15 points. He shot 6-for-8 from the field and 2-for-2 from the foul line, hit a 3-pointer, and pulled down nine rebounds.

Steeleville turned the ball over 22 times and shot just 36 percent from the field.

Matt Earnsting paced the Warriors with 12 points. Cairo out-rebounded them 32-19.

Steeleville (5-6) will face Herrin today at 9 a.m., while Cairo (10-0) plays NMCC at 1 p.m.

Murphysboro upset second-seeded Obion County in the AA bracket, 55-45.

The Rebels, who live and die by the 3-point shot, were ice cold from behind the arc, shooting a paltry 5-for-31 as a team.

Murphysboro's Bryant Hughes was unstoppable, scoring 18 points with 12 rebounds.

Japeth Cunningham led all Obion County scorers with eight points. Standout D.J. Gammons also finished with eight, but shot just 2-for-12 from 3-point land.

Obion County (9-3) will play Salem in the loser's bracket today at 10:30 a.m., while Murphysboro faces Carbondale at 8:30 p.m.

Chicago's Kenwood Academy, a last minute replacement for Louisville Waggener, suffered its first loss of the season against Mt. Vernon in the AA bracket Thursday, 67-56.

Dereas Moore scored 31 points for the Rams, shooting 10-of-13 from the field and 11-of-14 from the free throw line with seven rebounds and two assists.

Parker Creel finished with 13, followed by Dortanian Blout with 11.

Kendal Patterson led Kenwood with 15 points, followed by Jason Maclin with 14.

Kenwood (8-1) will face Marion today at 2:30 p.m., while Mt. Vernon (8-3) takes on Jacksonville's Mandarin at 4 p.m.

In the 4 p.m. game sixth-seeded DuQuoin upset third-seeded Memphis University in double overtime, 59-53.

Nick Hill scored 29 points for the Indians, followed by teammate Webster McGurie with 15.

Ryan Baum scored 27 for Memphis University, shooting 13-of-18 from the floor with five assists.

DuQuoin (6-3) will play Pinckneyville tonight at 7 p.m., while Memphis University (5-6) takes on Johnston City at 10 p.m.

Maurice Gibbs scored 23 points and Jashun Spearman added 21 as Carbondale rolled past Salem 64-44 in the AA bracket.

The Terriers outscored Salem 20-11 in the first quarter and never looked back, increasing the lead period by period.

The Wildcats shot just 33 percent from the field. James Sager led the team in scoring with 27 points.

Carbondale (5-5) will play Murphysboro tonight at 8:30 p.m., while Salem (4-3) takes on Obion County at 10:30 a.m.

One-win Pinckneyville shocked second-seeded Johnston City in the A bracket, 61-46.

The defending Illinois Class A state champs saw 19 points from Michael McConachie, 12 from Derek Beninati, and 12 from Gideon Hutchcraft in the surprising win.

Nick and Marcus Francescon led Johnston City with 19 and 16 points respectively.

Pinckneyville (2-5) will face DuQuoin tonight at 7 p.m., while Johnston City (9-1) plays Memphis University at 10 p.m.