BOYS BASKETBALL: Nashville tops PJHS for Class M State title

Throughout all their success this season, one team repeatedly stood in the way of Pinckneyville Junior High School's varsity basketball team - and they'd do so again this past Friday night with everything on the line at Rend Lake College.

Nashville defeated Pinckneyville for the third time this season, knocking off the Junior Panthers 49-36 to claim the SIJHSAA Class M Boys Basketball State championship. Hornets Carson Parker (21 points) and Bryce Bultman (18 points) combined for 39 of their team's 49 points.

It was 14-10 Hornets after the opening period, but the Junior Panthers managed only five points - a two from Seth Witbracht and free throws from Chase Fulkerson and Austin Alspach - in the entire second quarter, and trailed 25-15 at the break.

Nashville put in three three-pointers in the third period - two from Parker, one from Bultman - as Pinckneyville's hopes began to fade with the clock ticking down.

The Hornets held on in the fourth quarter behind a 9-for-10 performance at the free throw line in the final period.

Dawson Yates had ten points to lead Pinckneyville in scoring. Devin Kitchen added eight points, Witbracht had six, Hunter Riggins and Dylan Houghland each had four, Fulkerson three and Alspach one.

Also seeing action during the state championship game for Pinckneyville were Josh Wright, Mathew Martin, Lucas Downard, Garret Vuichard and Cole Kelly.

The second-place Panthers' roster also consists of Noah Carter, Derek Rohlfing and Dalton Kitchen. PJHS finished the season with a record of 23-5 and are coached by Haven Hicks, assisted by Kyle Smith.

Earlier in the evening, Albion defeated Aviston 50-44 in the third place game.