Prep Hoops: Smithpeters: We came here to get better

Isaiah Saulsberry had a game to remember, scoring 31 points, albeit in a losing effort as Harrisburg fell to Carterville 72-62 Saturday night at the Ernie Bozarth Memorial Tournament at Murphysboro High School.

At game's end, Saulsberry named to the All-Tournament Team as he led Harrisburg in every game as the Bulldogs finished 3-2 to start the season.

Harrisburg head coach Randy Smithpeters said his sole purpose was to use the tournament as a barometer to see where he Bulldog bunch was at and while he was pleased with some things, he knows he still has a long way to go.

Harrisburg had a small lead in the early going as the two exchanged blows with two lead changes in the first quarter. Carterville led 30-23 in the second, before the Bulldogs stormed back to make it 32-30 with 1:18 to play after Saulsberry hit a runner in the lane. The two went into the locker tied at 32.

Harrisburg built a 39-34 lead in the third thanks to another bucket by Saulsbery, but Carterville quickly went on a run and tied the game with 58.9 left and took a 52-47 lead after three.

Carterville never looked back and Harrisburg never got closer than five as the Lions held a 10-point cushion throughout much of the fourth.

Patrick Bittle pitched in with six for Harrisburg, while Blake Drue dumped in five points. Jordan Gould finished with four and Jordan Bartok had two points. Noah Ferrell added in a free throw.

Harrisburg 58, Sumner, Mo. 46

Saulsberry scored 22 points to lead Harrisburg in the Saturday morning game at MHS.

Ferrell managed seven points, while Bartok, Drue and Hunter Smith all had six points. Bittle finished with four points, Gould tacked on two points and Austin Hefner tossed in a free throw.