Rams, Orphans ready for rivalry matchup
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BEST OF BALANCED ATTACK — Senior Devin Meier leads a balanced offense for the Centralia Orphans with a 13 points per game mark.
Sentinel File Photo
ON THE PERIMETER — Mt. Vernon’s Eli Prost looks for an opening in the Carbondale defense Friday.
Sentinel File Photo
By PAUL HINES and RANDY LIST
Both the Rams and Orphans enter Friday’s matchup undefeated. One will leave with a blemish as the two teams face at Trout Arena.
It’s the first season meeting for the longtime rivals. The two teams have already established themselves as top 3A teams early in the year.
“They’re all about 6-2. They all shoot it, handle it, drive it, and then they play very hard,” Mt. Vernon coach Tim Holloway said. “So they fit (Centralia coach Lee Bennett’s) system very well, and they’ve had a lot of success in the past, and they’ll be a good challenge. We really like our guys right now as well.”
Centralia (7-0) has smashed its way through the schedule, routing all seven of its opponents. The list includes a pair of blowout wins against Althoff. The Orphans also won the championship at the Roxanna Hoopsgiving Classic.
“It’s our first conference game and there’s a little added to it in that regard (playing the Rams).
“We haven’t had a chance to get much practice time in, and Mother Nature had something to do with that,” Bennett said. “But it is what it is and that’s how things can be at this time of the year.”
Mt. Vernon (4-0) started its season with a pair of quality wins against Triad and Mascoutah. After a running clock victory against Carbondale, the Rams knocked off an Alton team led by Division I bound Semaj Stampley. The Rams limited the senior to six points.
“I think you’re always fighting human nature in sports, especially with young men,” Holloway said. “You get a good win, and you can enjoy it for 12 hours or so. But you have to make sure you show up the next day and practice like you just got beat or you’re not going to improve. That is always the challenge.”
Both teams have excelled on each end of the court to start the season and possess an assortment of offensive options.
The Orphans have five players averaging double digits to start the season. The group consists of Devin Meirer (13 points a game), Archie Goewey (12.6), Michael Organ (11.1), Kenny Bratton (10.7) and Jaxson Hancock (10.1).
“Every week’s a big week,” Bennett said. “You’re just trying to do the best you can and most importantly, we’re trying to get better every day.”
The Rams have a trio of double figure scorers with Dave Barnes (19.3 points a game), Cale Maurer (14.5) and LJ Shelby (13.8).
Rams starter Kaden Wilson missed a chunk of the Alton matchup due to an injury. Holloway said he would be a game-day decision.
“His health is the most important thing so we’re just going to make sure that he’s good to go before we even think about throwing him into that type of a game,” Holloway said.
The matchup is the lone one of the week for the Orphans who return to action for a mid-week contest against Breese Central on Tuesday. After the rivalry tilt, the Rams travel to Carbondale for a Saturday afternoon shootout matchup against 4A powerhouse Homewood-Flossmor.
The Vikings won the 4A state title two years ago and were 30-5 last season.
“They have several future Division I players,” Holloway said. “If you think Alton, with even bigger and more athletic than that, is kind of how they look on film. They’re going to pressure and trap and run and jump and do all kinds of things.”
Friday’s matchup starts with the junior varsity game at 6 p.m.
