Kedarius Flowers

The last four months have brought me so much joy thanks to my first job in journalism. I’ve seen a lot of basketball played over the last two weeks. I’ve watched some very good performances.

Dec. 7—Just like that it's over. Just as soon as it started. Or at least that's how it feels, now that I won't be writing for The Southern anymore.

The Johnston City Lady Indians forced 12 second half turnovers to secure a win over Trico Lady Pioneers Thursday. Johnston City defeated their conference opponent 40-24.

CARBONDALE — The Marion boys basketball team got past Carbondale at the last moment to earn their first conference win of the season Friday night.

MARION - The Marion Wildcats won their nonconference game against the Cairo Pilots in a dominating fashion Tuesday evening. It was so one-sided that Coach Gus Gillespie had second- and third-teamers in the game before halftime. The final score was 79-36.

HERRIN — The Herrin Tigers took care of business on the home floor Friday against the Harrisburg Bulldogs, 54-43. Herrin never trailed.

CARBONDALE - The Marion Wildcats won their third South Seven Conference wrestling meet in the last five years Saturday, beating out host Carbondale, Mount Vernon, Centralia, and Cahokia in that order.

MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Rams' 1-3-1 zone press defense smothered Massac County's offense all night Tuesday, disrupting the Patriots' offense and forcing turnovers.

CARBONDALE — Clinging to a slim 41-40 lead going into the fourth quarter Thursday, the Herrin Tiger girls relied upon a lock-down defense and fastbreak offense to help secure a 61-48 victory over Marion and claim the Class 3A Carbondale Regional Championship.

COBDEN — The Goreville Blackcats took an 11-point lead into the half and increased that advantage to 30 points by game's end Friday, thrashing Crab Orchard, 81-51, to claim the