CARBONDALE — For the second time in three years, Goreville met Central A&M in the SIU 1A Supersectional. And for the second time in three years, the Blackcats won to earn a trip to Peoria and the 1A State Semifinals. 71-64 was the final this year.
Goreville used a balanced attack to offset the Raiders’ duo of Connor Heaton and Griffen Andricks. Heaton scored a game high 29, and Andricks added 14. The Blackcats meanwhile had seven players score between eight and 12 points.
Nick Compton and Briley Dunn led the way for Goreville with 12 each. Landon Albright and Cameron Hines added ten each.
Central A&M led 16-10 after one quarter and extended that lead to ten in the second quarter, before Goreville rallied. The Blackcats closed the half on a 15-5 run to tie the game at 31-31 at the break.
The ‘Cats continued their run, opening the third with a 12-2 spurt. Combining the runs marked a 20-point swing for Goreville, from ten down to ten up.
The Raiders closed to within two early in the fourth quarter, but the Blackcats extended their lead back to ten and held on down the stretch for the win.
Goreville will face Roanoke/Benson Friday at 1:00 in the second 1A semifinal. Madison will face Aurora Christian in the first semifinal.