CHRISTOPHER — For the first time in eight seasons, Curt Reed was back on the bench. Only this time, he was coaching a team in blue, not green.
The long-time McLeansboro/Hamilton County coach is leading Thompsonville this year. The Tigers ran into hot shooting Wayne City and lost 70-50 in the first round of the Christopher Turkey Tournament.
The Indians led 26-16 after one quarter and extended that lead to as many as 16 in the second, but Thompsonville closed the half on a 10-0 run to cut Wayne City’s lead to 34-28 at the break.
The Tigers continued to close early in the third, getting as close as 37-34, but the Indians responded by closing the third with a 13-3 spurt to lead 50-37 heading to the fourth before going on to the twenty point win.
The Indians advance to face NCOE in the semifinals Friday. The Tigers will face Zeigler-Royalton in the consolation bracket.