Cardinals remain undefeated with strong play

By JASON VIOX\Daily Journal Sports Writer

PARK HILLS - The Mineral Area Cardinals basketball team had only one mission in mind on Tuesday. That mission was to triumph over the Southwestern Illinois Blue Storm. Mineral Area came out playing more physical than Southwestern Illinois, and the Cardinals triumphed 94-74.

A lay-up by Rickey Claitt and T.J. Britton and a three by Willie Hassell boosted Mineral Area to a quick 9-3 edge. Lance Stemler countered with a three-pointer to narrow the deficit to two, but four straight points by Tremaine Wilkerson and a jump shot by Darryl Butterfield and De'Alan Hicks gave the Cardinals a 17-9 advantage.

A lay-up and a dunk by Curtis Muse helped Mineral Area to a 26-13 lead. Both teams traded eight points before the Blue Storm added five straight points for a 34-26 contest. Mineral Area's Dontavis Jones was fouled on a three-point shot, but the attempt was successful and the free throw made it a four-point play. Britton and Jones added another lay-up before the Cardinals entered the locker room with a 42-26 lead.

Before the end of the first half, Stemler collided with a Mineral Area player and suffered a very deep cut to the forehead in the process. Although Stemler walked off the court after several minutes passed, he was taken to the hospital by ambulance as a precaution.

The Cardinals kicked off the second half with a 9-2 scoring run which included a three by Willie Hassell. A couple of baskets by Lawrence Blackledge and a three-pointer by Aram Adams narrowed the lead to 53-35. Southwestern Illinois David Squires scored six straight points before Hassell broke up the small run with a three.

The Cardinals held a 65-45 advantage on a bucket by Tremaine Wilkerson and Hicks. Adams came through with another three-pointer, but a lay-up by Muse and a pair of free throws by Tony Webb extended Mineral Area's lead. The Cardinals led 80-56 on a free throw by Britton and a basket by Hicks. A lay-up by Squires and Adams was match by Butterfield and Wilkerson.

Squires later contributed four straight baskets, but a jump shot by Webb boosted Mineral Area to a comfortable 90-67 lead. Jeff Moore chipped in a bucket and a three-pointer before the end of the game.

Squires and Adams both finished with 17 points. Hassell finished with a team-high 14 points for the Cardinals and Hicks ended with 12. Both teams had plenty of fouls as Mineral Area committed 28 fouls while the Blue Storm had 24.

The Cardinals are now 4-0 and will host Lincoln Trail on Friday as part of the Rosener's Classic.

Mineral Area - 42 52 - 94

Southwestern IL - 26 48 - 74

SCORING:

Mineral Area - W Hassell 14, D Hicks 12, T Wilkerson 11, D Butterfield 11, C Muse 10, T Britton 9, D Jones 6, T Webb 6, R Claitt 6, S Schauf 6, C Henderson 3.

3-Pointers - W Hassell 3, D Jones 1, S Schauf 1.

Southwestern IL - D Squires 17, A Adams 17, J Moore 9, L Stemler 9, L Blackledge 8, R Lawrence 6, K Jackson 6, G Parker 2.

3-Pointers - A Adams 2, L Stemler 1, J Moore 1