Prep Hoops: Wildcats roar past Harrisburg
Isaiah Saulsberry and Noah Ferrell each turned in 20-point performances, but it was overshadowed by Marion’s Justin Shadowens’ 31 points as Marion held on to beat Harrisburg 62-58 Saturday night at Davenport gymnasium.
The Bulldogs (6-7) flirted with Marion most of the evening, but never held a lead despite both teams being tied at 15 after one quarter of play. The Wildcats (9-5) outscored Harrisburg 19-12 in the second quarter and 16-14 after three periods of play.
Harrisburg hung tough, including getting to within two at 58-56 following a Ferrell 3-pointer with under two minutes to play.
But after two free throws by Marion’s Nick Williams, Harrisburg’s attempt at cutting into the four point lead were squandered when Shadowens came up with a steal against Saulsberry and converted on the other end to put the game out of reach.
Harrisburg head coach Randy Smithpeters said despite not getting the win, the effort to do so was there from his Bulldogs.
“That was a great effort and we made a lot of good decisions. We talked about this before the game, about we could have played an inferior team and perhaps won by 40, but it wouldn’t have been the challenge and made us better. (Saturday) night made us better. Although we want to win and can’t be happy with anything less than a victory, (Saturday) made us better.
“I thought we battled on the defensive end. I thought we were more physical than we have been before and I thought we made a lot of good decisions on offense and our job now will be to stay at that level and compete with that intensity every night that we go out.”
<strong>Murphysboro 56, Harrisburg 41</strong>
Hunter Smith and Noah Ferrell both scored in double figures as Murphysboro knocked off Harrisburg for a second time this season.
The Red Devils won earlier in the year at the Ernie Bozarth Memorial Tournament, beating the Bulldogs 76-67.
On Friday, a cold second quarter dug Harrisburg a hole it had a problem getting out of.
Murphysboro outscored Harrisburg 15-7 in the game’s second eight minutes of action and took a 30-19 lead into the locker room.
Harrisburg was able to get back in the game, thanks in large part to outscoring the Red Devils 18-13, but down the stretch Murphysbro’s size and strength took over in the form of Tim Marston, who finished with 14 points.
Harrisburg will play host to Herrin on Friday in its only game of the week.
Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register and Eldorado Daily Journal. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.
Marion 15 19 16 12 — 62
Harrisburg 15 12 14 17 — 58
Marion: Shadowens 11 5-6 31, Williams 1 2-2 4, Connor 6 0-0 2, Hollis 1 0-0 2, Schmid 2 1-2 5, Schafer 3 0-1 6, Henderson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 25 8-11 62.
Harrisburg: Gould 3 0-0 6, Smith 2 0-0 4, Saulsberry 6 4-5 20, Bartok 1 0-2 2, Ferrell 7 2-2 20,Burtis 2 0-0 6. Totals: 21 6-9 58
3-point FG: MHS 4 (Shadowens 4, HHS 10 (Saulsberry 4, Ferrell 4, Burtis 2). Fouls: MHS 12, HHS 13.
Murphysboro 15 15 13 13 — 56
Harrisburg 12 07 18 04 — 41
Murphysboro: Gibbs 5 2-2 17, Greenwood 3 0-0 6, Gaston 3 2-2 8, Marston 6 2-4 14, House 4 1-2 11. Totals: 22 7-10 56.
Harrisburg: Gould 1 0-0 2, Smith 4 0-0 10, Saulsberry 2 4-4 8, Bartok 3 1-5 8, Ferrell 5 0-0 11, Burtis 1 0-0 2. Totals: 16 5-9 41.
3-point FG: MHS 5 (Gibbs 3, House 3), HHS 4 (Smith 2, Bartok, Ferrell). Fouls: MHS 14, HHS 6.