Du Quoin puts Hosman’s milestone celebration on hold


Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

METROPOLIS — Massac County head coach Joe Hosman entered the season with 781 career wins. A win over Cairo Saturday put Hosman at 799 wins and a chance to reach the milestone 800th win at home against Du Quoin.

The Indians played the role of rude guests, blistering the nets with 10-22 three-point shooting on the way to a 65-61 win.

Du Quoin led 21-17 after one quarter and 34-32 at the half. The Patriots appeared to be starting to control late in the third quarter, retaking the lead and extending it to 56-51 by the end of the third. That lead grew to six early in the fourth, but then it was the Indians’ turn to rally.

Du Quoin held Massac County scoreless over the game’s final 5:47 and scored the game’s final 10 points. Three-pointers from Traijon Smith and Jaden Smith tied the game at 61. A technical foul on Hosman followed by multiple team fouls on the Patriots led to the Indians going 4-6 from the line in the final 34 seconds for the win.

Maurice Washington, Traijon Smith, and Caden Hutchens all scored 16 points for Du Quoin, who improves to 12-12. The Patriots’ Isaac Hosman led all scorers with 20. Will Harmon added 18 for Massac County who falls to 18-8.