Basketball Recap: Herrin Now 9-3 over Last 12 Games

It may have taken overtime to finish the job, but Herrin ultimately got the result they hoped for on Tuesday. They snuck past the Massac County Patriots with a 76-70 win. Given the Tigers' advantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 97th, while the Patriots are ranked 322nd), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Kyrese Lukens

Field Goal Percentage

02/11/25 @ Massac County	57%
02/08/25 vs DuQuoin	64%
02/07/25 vs Murphysboro	11%
02/04/25 vs Vienna	44%
02/01/25 @ Marion	11%
+ 23 more games

Leading Herrin to victory were Kyrese Lukens and Grady Cox. Lukens went 8 of 14 to rack up 29 points and five rebounds, while Cox dropped a double-double with 22 points and 14 boards. Thanks to that strong game, Lukens now owns an excellent 45.4% shooting accuracy. The team also got some help courtesy of Jared Staple Jr., who posted nine points.

Herrin smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 13 offensive boards. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their offensive rebound total in four consecutive contests.

Despite the loss, Massac County had strong showings from Jack Turner, who went 8 for 19 on his way to 28 points, and Jude Harmon, who went 8 of 15 en route to 21 points. That was a full 40% of Massac County's points, marking the third time in a row he's had more than a third of the team's points.

Herrin is on a roll lately: they've won nine of their last 12 matchups, which somehow still isn't as good as their 22-6 record this season. As for Massac County, they are on a three-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 11-15.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Herrin will face off against Mascoutah at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. As for Massac County, they will square off against Carterville at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Carterville will roll in looking for their fourth straight victory, something Massac County surely won't give up without a fight.