MT. VERNON —
The Rams will have to learn about Herrin as tonight’s opening game of the Marion Pyramid Plus Tournament goes along.
Herrin lost 11 of its 15 varsity players because of graduation. Seven of the eight primary players for the Tigers were seniors.
“Personnel is a little bit of a mystery,” Mt. Vernon coach Scott Gamber said. “I’ve called around to different coaches to find out about some of their younger guys in (junior varsity) games and know a little bit from that.”
Justin Lukens is one of the Tigers key returners. The Herrin guard hurt the Rams a season ago, scoring 15 points in a Herrin victory in the same tournament.
“He had a really nice game against us last year,” Gamber said. “(He) had a really good season. He’s a really nice player. We know what he does.”
Mt. Vernon’s starting lineup contains a quartet of guards and post player Michael Feezer. Jarron Liddell, Trevor Flota, Jake Pike and Travis Mitchell round out the starters.
Tonight’s matchup is the first of four games in five days for the Rams. Mt. Vernon has Thanksgiving day and also Saturday off. After the opener, Mt. Vernon faces Marion, Salem and Collinsville. Gamber said the matchups give him and the rest of the coaching staff a chance to learn a lot about the team immediately.
“No matter how things go, good or bad, it’s just a few games, a few weeks into the season and that doesn’t mean anything,” Gamber said. “If we have a really good tournament, that means nothing after this. If we have a really bad tournament, it means nothing.”
The structure of the tournament is different compared to past seasons. East St. Louis and Massac County withdrew, but Collinsville was added. Instead of five games in six days, teams play four times.
Tonight’s game starts at 6:30 p.m. in Marion.
Sports
November 18, 2012
Rams open season at Marion’s pyramid tourney
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Trojans take first regional title
It's been a season of milestones for Webber's baseball team.
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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.
- 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
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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
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Rams qualify for state in 5 events
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Golliday, Palmer compete at state
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Rams qualify for state in 5 events
Mt. Vernon's boys track team will be well represented at next week's state finals.
- 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
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