Mt. Vernon Register-News

Sports

February 7, 2013

Rams face ranked Cahokia

By PAUL HINES paul.hines@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The Rams have one of their more challenging road trips of the season tonight.

Mt. Vernon travels to Cahokia to face the fourth-ranked Comanches. It’s a place the Rams have had some success with wins each of the last two seasons, but coach Scott Gamber said this season would bring a new test. Cahokia enters the game on top of the South Seven Conference with a 6-1 record with the only loss coming to Mt. Vernon. Cahokia is 23-3 overall.

“This year is a lot different,” Gamber said. “They’re as good as they’ve been since I can remember, this year. And we know they are not going to take us lightly.”

The Rams edged Cahokia earlier this season in overtime at Changnon Gymnasium. Jake Pike led Mt. Vernon with 19 points, and Trevor Flota finished with 17.

“We’ve got to find the balance, like we were fortunate to do here, of keep attacking when there are opportunities, but also be patient when there’s not,” Gamber said. “If you force things when there’s nothing there they can turn those into quick points.”

Cahokia has punished several South Seven teams in its own gym. The Comanches hammered Marion 78-35 without their top scorer Keenan Minor and ripped Carbondale 89-60.

“You have to get off to a good start,” Gamber said. “I think you have to take the energy out of the gym early. You can do that by being patient early in the game. And if you can get off to a decent start, I think you’ll give yourself a chance, but that’s a lot easier said than done.”

The Comanches full-court press defense will once again test the Rams. Mt. Vernon received some positive news this week regarding starting point guard Jarron Liddell. The senior is available to play against the Comanches, Gamber said. Liddell practiced Wednesday after missing the Rams last two games with a dislocated shoulder. Liddell adds another ball handler and veteran experience to Mt. Vernon’s lineup.

The Comanches have a multitude of scoring options to throw at the Rams’ defense. Darius Austin hammered the Rams interior in the opening matchup and led the Comanches in scoring. Cahokia can also turn to Minor along with Carleton Rivers, Derenzo Jennings and Vincent Jackson. Jennings went scoreless in the first matchup, and Rivers was limited to four points.

“It’s no secret, you have to concentrate a whole lot on Minor. And you have to concentrate a whole lot on Austin,” Gamber said. “At some point, if those other guys are clicking you’re just going to have a rough night.

“There is no way that we can take away all five guys that they have on the floor.”

Friday’s game starts with the junior varsity matchup at 6:15 p.m.

Text Only
Sports
  • Trojans take first regional title

    It's been a season of milestones for Webber's baseball team.

    May 18, 2013

  • Wayne City downs Woodlawn softball

    Wayne City used early offense and a solid pitching performance to beat the Lady Cardinals 9-4 in Saturday's 1A regional final.

    May 18, 2013

  • Sports briefs Palmer advances at track state Mt. Vernon's Aaliyah Palmer will compete in two events at today's 2A girls track and field state final. Palmer qualified from Friday's preliminary round in the shot put and discus. Palmer threw the shot put 39 feet, 11

    May 18, 2013

  • 5-18 Regional finals preview photo Area teams contend for titles Sam Root and Mike Kehrer have had their baseball teams in this position before. Root and Webber are making their third straight regional final appearance today. Kehrer and Woodlawn are trying to claim its third straight regional crown. “It feels rea

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • 5-18 Boys track sectional photo Rams qualify for state in 5 events SALEM – Mt. Vernon's boys track team will be well represented at next week's state finals. The Rams advanced two of their relay teams along with three individuals while competing at the Salem sectional Thursday. “I'm just really happy,” Mt. Vernon c

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sports briefs Miller advances to final round CHARLESTON -- Chelsea Miller will represent the Sesser-Valier/Waltonville girls track team in multiple events at Saturday's state final round. Miller had the fastest qualifying time in the 200 meters at the 1A state fin

    May 17, 2013

  • 5-17 Girls track state preview photo Golliday, Palmer compete at state MT. VERNON – A pair of Lady Rams track athletes will start state final competition today. Aaliyah Palmer and Charde Golliday qualified for today's state final after finishing among the top athletes at the Troy Triad sectional last week. “It's just r

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sports calendar Local sports Today Softball Mt. Vernon at Salem 4:30 p.m. Boys tennis Mt. Vernon at Carbondale sectional 1 p.m. Saturday Baseball Highland at Mt. Vernon (doubleheader) 11 a.m. 1A Webber regional Webber vs. Woodlawn 1 p.m. Softball 1A Woodlawn regiona

    May 17, 2013

  • Rams qualify for state in 5 events

    Mt. Vernon's boys track team will be well represented at next week's state finals.

    May 16, 2013

  • Sports calendar Local sports Today Softball Mt. Vernon at Mascoutah 4:30 p.m. Boys track Mt. Vernon at sectional Friday Softball Mt. Vernon at Salem 4:30 p.m. Boys tennis Mt. Vernon at Carbondale sectional 1 p.m. MLB American league East Division W L Pct GB New Yor

    May 16, 2013