Du Quoin boys basketball Regional semifinal to be 'Battle of Beaucoup III'
The Du Quoin 2A boys basketball regional will be Rivalry Week on steroids tomorrow, when the eighth-seed Indians play third-seed Pinckneyville for the right to play for the regional title.
The tipoff will be at 7:30 p.m. in Anders Gym. Du Quoin is hosting the regional competition.
"We are going to get to work these next couple days to prepare for Pinckneyville," said Du Quoin Coach Jason James. "I know the kids will be fired up; it should be a great atmosphere!"
Du Quoin (15-14) opened the regionals Saturday with a come-from-behind 65-60 win over 12th seed Sparta.
The Indians trailed 22-20 after the first quarter, but behind four 3-point baskets, including two by Jaden Smith, they took a 36-33 lead at the half. Du Quoin extended its lead to 49-41 heading into the fourth quarter and withstood a four-quarter rally by making 14-of-20 free throws with Traijon Smith and Jaden Smith making 4 of 6 each.
"Definitely not our best game of the year," James said. "Thankfully we were able to hang on long enough to get the win. Ethan Hill came into the game and gave us some great minutes and was big for us the second half."
Traijon Smith led the Indians with 18 points. Jaden Smith finished with 13, including three from beyond the arc, with Caden Hutchens and Nishan Woody scoring 11 each.
"Traijon Smith continues to be consistent and give great effort," James said.
Meanwhile, Wednesday night's action begins at 6 p.m. with Red Bud (15-15) playing No. 2 seed Nashville (22-4) followed by "Beaucoup III." Whoever survives will play for the regional title Friday at 7 p.m. Pinckneyville comes in with a 21-4 record.
The last time the Indians advanced to the regional title game was in 2017 when they beat Chester 42-41 in the semifinals before losing to Pinckneyville, 62-53, for the regional championship.
"Beaucoup I" was played at Du Quoin's Anders Gym on Dec. 14 and went to the Panthers, 71-63. The Indians held a 12-point lead with 4:09 left in the third quarter, but a technical foul on Du Quoin flipped the momentum.
"Beaucoup II" was at Pinckneyville's Duster Thomas Gymnasium on Jan. 28. The game was tied 40-40 early in the fourth quarter, but the Panthers pulled away to win 56-47.
Du Quoin regional
Saturday, Feb. 19
Red Bud 43, Chester 41
Du Quoin 65, Sparta 60
Wednesday, Feb. 23
6 p.m. (2) Nashville vs. (10) Red Bud
7:30 p.m. (3) Pinckneyville vs. (8) Du Quoin
Friday, Feb. 25
7 p.m. Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4