Patriots celebrate another Eldorado Holiday Tournament title


ELDORADO — It has been a December to remember for Massac County boys basketball coach Joe Hosman and the Patriots.

Last Saturday, Hosman won his 750th game as a head coach. A week later, his team won the 55th Eldorado Holiday Tournament title, the eighth EHT championship for the Patriots.

Number eight was crazy, as Massac County held off defending champ and top-seeded Fairfield 57-51.

The Patriots led 23-20 at the half, then opened the third on a 12-2 run to build a 35-22 lead. The Mules answered with their own run. That Fairfield run spanned across the third and fourth quarters with the final tally being 21-3. It gave the Mules a 43-38 lead.

Massac County answered with yet another spurt. Tournament MVP Jase Mizell hit back to back threes during a decisive 13-0 run that gave the Patriots the lead for good. Mizell finished with a game high 16 points.

Landon Zurliene led Fairfield with 12.

Notes:
Here is the All-Tournament team:
Gus Walden, Hamilton Co.
Nolan Milligan, Eldorado
Eli Downen, Carterville
Ethan Mahon, Carmi-White Co.
Luke LeQuatte, Herrin
Brandon Anthony, Herrin
Julian Russell, Massac Co.
Landon Zurliene, Fairfield
Zach Travis, Massac Co.
Kane Hixenbaugh, Fairfield
MVP: Jase Mizell, Massac Co.
Duff-Kingston Sportsmanship Award: Isaiah Thompson, West Frankfort

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