Top-seeded Massac County moves on at Vienna

Dylan Chambers, Student Correspondent
Darren Kinnard

VIENNA — The top-seeded Massac County Patriots used a big second half to down Anna-Jonesboro 70-55 and advance to the championship game of the Vienna 2A Regional.

Trailing the seventh-seeded Wildcats 30-29 at the half, the Patriots’ seniors set the tone in the second half opening the third quarter with three possessions and three made shots from Zach Travis, Julian Russell, and Jase Mizell. Within the first 15 seconds of the quarter, Travis drained a three-pointer to put Massac County back on top. The Patriots outscored A-J 24-10 in the third quarter to lead 53-40 heading to the fourth and cruising from there to the 15-point win.

Russell led all scorers with 21 points, including 4-4 from the free throw line to go with nine rebounds. Travis added 18. Zach Overstreet led the Wildcats with 17.

Each team had its moments in the first half. Massac County led by as many as seven early, but the game was tied 12-12 after one. The Wildcats led by as many as seven in the second quarter, primarily due to the work inside by Noah McFarland and Overstreet. The Patriots closed to within one by halftime setting the stage for their big second half.

Massac County will play the winner of Mt. Carmel and Carterville Friday night at 7:00 for the regional title.

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