Gillespie Miners (Gillespie, IL) backers were in high spirits Saturday as they witnessed their basketball squad bounce the visiting Southwestern Piasa Birds (Piasa, IL), 55-14 in a league bout.

With the win, Gillespie upgrades its record to 8-3 on the season. The Miners travel to Carlinville (Carlinville, IL) to play the Cavaliers in a South Central bout on Monday, December 11. The Cavaliers go into the bout with a record of 5-2. Carlinville lost 52-33 in their recent non-league bout against PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central (Petersburg, IL)

Next up, the Piasa Birds play the North Mac Panthers (Virden, IL) in a South Central bout, on Monday, December 11. Southwestern will attempt to upgrade on its 5-5 season record. The Panthers go into the bout with a 7-3 record after their 46-42 league loss to Greenville (Greenville, IL).