Hamilton County comes back to beat Bulldogs for Consolation Championship

Life can sometimes come full circle.

At least it did for Doug Miller and Randy Smithpeters in Saturday's Consolation Championship of the 55th Annual Eldorado Holiday Tournament.

Both are McLeansboro natives with Miller, playing for his alma mater from 1989-1992.

Millers junior varsity coach at the time - Randy Smithpeters.

The pupil got the better part of the teacher however as Miller's Foxes came back from a nine-point halftime deficit to win 55-47 over Harrisburg.

Miller, who squared off against his former coach for the first time since last year's regional, where Will Gibbs' game-winning shot erased a 19-point deficit for the 'Dogs, said he still has very fond memories of playing for Smithpeters.

"He was a players coach. I loved Randy as a coach," Miller said. "I remember his boys, Kyle and Colby coming to practice and fist fighting on the stage as little guys. I coached Kyle in the fifth grade and he made me a good coach!"

It's been a walk back in time for Miller during this year's EHT. After an opening round loss to West Frankfort, Miller took on his former team Gallatin County (55-40) and then had to beat Norris City-Omaha-Enfield (40-36), where Miller coached at before going to Gallatin County.

"I'll say this about all three schools," Miller explained " They are all similar places to work and here's why. They all love basketball and they all have great kids."

Hamilton County's last consolation championship came in 2009. Prior to that, the Foxes have six consolation titles when the school was just McLeansboro.

Robbie Morgan had 11 points for Hamilton County and Tyce Gordon tacked on 10 in the win.

Harrisburg also put two players in double figures as Zayne Hayes had a game-high 16 points and Will Gibbs finished with 13 points.

Michael Godsey added eight points, while Andrew Bittle and Javie Beal each had three points. Darion Barners and Ben Brombaugh both had two points.

Harrisburg, who came into the tournament, 0-4, was sent to the consolation bracket by Anna-Jonesboro and then. The 'Dogs won two straight, beating Carrier Mills and Hardin County, before falling to the Foxes.

Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.