BASKETBALL: Warriors cruise past Benton

Benton's Brady Gischer sank a three-pointer to start Wednesday night's junior high boys basketball game against Du Quoin, but from there it was all Warriors. The hosts of the DMS Tip-Off Tournament exploded for a 23-2 run following Gischer's shot and ran away with the game for their second blowout win in a row to start the event, winning 71-38 and clinching a share of the championship.

Braeden Pursell had 19 points to lead Du Quoin in scoring, Lomontay Daughtery added 16, and Kadin Mays scored 11 to give the Warriors three players in double figures.

Pursell scored six straight points in the second quarter on a jumper, a stick-back, and a fast-break layup off of a steal to give DMS a 31-9 lead.

Brad Hammond's three-pointer with 4:12 left in the half gave the Rangers a last gasp of hope, but the Warriors responded with a 7-0 run, and from there the only drama was whether or not Daughtery, Du Quoin's big man, would be able to give the near-capacity crowd on hand a show with a breakaway dunk. He got an opportunity in the second quarter, but the slam missed off the back of the rim.

Dajon Johnson led DMS in rebounds with 9, Daughtery and Jacob Green each finished with 6. Mays had a team-high 4 assists, Daughtery had 3.

Johnson (6 points), Dasani Edward (6), Owen Bradley (5), Alex Zimmerman (4), Brian Winters (2) and Wade Roberson (2) also scored for the Warriors.

For the Rangers, Blake Stewart led the way with 8 points. Hammond and Jared Shaw each finished with 6.

Both teams are back in action at the Tip-Off on Friday night. Benton faces Trico at 6 p.m. and Du Quoin meets Salem at 7:30. The Warriors (4-0) will win the outright championship of the tournament with a victory.