JR. HIGH ROUNDUP: Tamaroa/St. Bruno Wins Thriller at Elverado

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Du Quoin (Middle School) returned to girls basketball action following the extended holiday break Monday, rolling to a 47-26 victory at Chester (Middle School).

The Lady Warriors, 16-4 overall, improved to 7-2 in Junior Southwestern Egyptian Conference (Jr. SWEC) play entering Thursday's game with Pinckneyville (Junior High School).

Rebekah Maddox poured in a game-high 18 points for DMS with Cassidy Rice adding 10, Kelsey Robinson eight and Nicole Jackson seven.

The Lady Warriors led 34-13 by halftime.

In the seventh grade game, DMS (10-5, 6-3) won 23-16 as balanced scoring was again key.

Bailie Caldwell netted seven points, Morgan Dennis six and Hailee Stewart five.

DMS also began its sixth grade season Monday at Chester, posting a 14-6 victory. Jacqueline Harsy had nine of Du Quoin's points.

T/SB EDGES ELVERADO

In Quad-County Athletic Conference (QCAC) action Monday, Tamaroa/St. Bruno's left Vergennes with a narrow 37-36 win over host Elverado (Junior High School).

EJHS led 27-21 entering the final period before T/SB mounted a frantic comeback.

"We lost our composure in the last three minutes," Elverado coach Donette Wheatley said. "They did a great job of pressuring us on both ends of the floor. We led the whole game. I just wish we could have finished with the win."

Elverado's Rebecca Korando finished with a game-best 10 points.

T/SB was led by Dani Schoenbacher's nine points. Jenny Keller finished with eight.

Bailey Nippe had six rebounds, six assists, five steals and six points. Haley Szczepanski and Jordan Koenegstein each contributed six points.

"We found a way to win," T/SB coach Jim Harris said. "We played well in the second half. It was really a good game by both teams."

In the seventh grade game, Elverado (8-9, 7-2) lost for just the second time in league play.

The final score was 36-16.

Kayla Harris topped all scorers, pacing QCAC-leading T/SB (12-2, 7-1) with a dozen points.

Nippe added eight points.

T/SB hosts Thompsonville Tuesday.

PJHS TOPS TRICO

At Pinckneyville Monday night, Pinckneyville (Junior High School) forged back to the .500 mark at 8-8, defeating Trico (Junior High School) 44-36.

Chaz Ruffino nailed three three-point baskets and scored 13 points for the Junior Panthers.

Christopher Priebe added 12 points and Caleb Howard seven.

The game was nip-and-tuck from beginning to end, with PJHS leading 34-31 to start the fourth quarter.

Thursday, PJHS hosts Du Quoin.

Trico won the seventh grade game, 37-33, in overtime.