SESSER — The eighth-seeded Johnston City Indians survived a huge fourth quarter rally by Sparta to beat the Bulldogs 54-50 in the opening game of the 40th Annual Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament.

Johnston City led 42-25 after three quarters and pushed that lead to 23 early in the fourth. The Bulldogs used a couple of big runs to get it back to a one possession game with 6.5 seconds, but Heath Neibch hit one of two free throws with 4.6 seconds left to seal it.

Logan Hunter led the Indians with 14 points. Connor Mowery added 10, with all of his points coming in the third quarter. Sparta’s Brayden Henry led all scorers with 15 points.

The Indians will face top-seeded Christopher in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs will face Century in the consolation bracket.

Here are all of the opening round scores at Sesser:
Game 1–(8) Johnston City 54, Sparta 50
Game 2–(1) Christopher 70, Century 31
Game 3–(5) Cobden 45, New Athens 43
Game 4–(4) Goreville 71, Galatia 34
Game 5–(2) Altamont 81, Zeigler-Royalton 33
Game 6–(7) Marissa/Coulterville 81, Waltonville 50
Game 7–(3) Sesser-Valier 68, Thompsonville 26
Game 8–(6) Red Bud 66, Elverado 29