Prep Hoops: Bulldogs get back to even

Randy Smithpeters, Harrisburg head coach, isn’t one for moral victories, but he was pleased with his team’s effort in last week’s narrow loss to Marion.

The Bulldogs backed up that performance with a solid home win over Herrin 52-47 Friday night at Davenport Gymnasium.

Isaiah Saulsberry had a game-high 22 points, including becoming the 16th Harrisburg basketball player to reach the 1,000th point plateau when he made a pair of free throws at the 1:28 mark in the second quarter to join the club.

The ability to put together 32 quality minutes was something Smithpeters was happy to see.

“(Tonight) we played 32 minutes and made good decisions down the stretch. We defended well, helping inside and recovering out on the 3-point shooters.”

Jordan Gould had 10 points for Harrisburg, while Hunter Smith and Noah Ferrell each finished with nine. Jordan Bartok had two.

Harrisburg 12 14 14 12 — 52

Herrin 12 10 11 14 — 47

Harrisburg: Gould 5 0-2 10, Smith 2 2-5 9, Saulsberry 4 13-13 22, Bartok 1 0-0 2, Ferrell 3 0-0 9, Burtis 0 0-0 0, Russ 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 15-20 52.

Herrin: Hartline 2 0-0 4, Nesler 1 0-0 3, Spell 10 1-2 21, T. Downen 3 0-1 6, Bush 0 0-0 6, J. Downen 3 0-0 6, Ringle 3 1-1 7, Cagle 0 0-0 0, McCormick 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 2-4 47.

3-point FG: Harrisburg 6 (Ferrell 3, Smith 2 Saulsberry), Herrin 1 (Nesler). Rebounds: Harrisburg 12, Herrin 19. Turnovers: Harrisburg 5, Herrin 8. Fouls: Harrisburg 8, Herrin 21.