Carterville Lions (Carterville, IL) backers were in high spirits Tuesday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the visiting Hamilton County Foxes (McLeansboro, IL), 54-41 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Carterville upgrades its record to 8-8 on the season. The Lions travel to Murphysboro (Murphysboro, IL) to play the Red Devils in a Southern Illinois River-to-River - Ohio bout on Friday, January 12. The Red Devils go into the bout with a record of 11-6. Murphysboro won 54-43 in their recent non-league bout against Frankfort (West Frankfort, IL)

Next up, the Foxes play the Flora Wolves (Flora, IL) in a Black Diamond - East bout, on Friday, January 12. Hamilton County will attempt to upgrade on its 12-5 season record. The Wolves go into the bout with a 9-9 record after their 47-33 non-league win over Woodlawn (Woodlawn, IL).