Prep Hoops: Bulldogs fall short at Carterville; Hawks knock off Hardin Co. for GEC win

In what was their next to last tuneup before beginning postseason play next Wednesday at the Eldorado 2A regional, the Harrisburg Bulldogs fell 62-56 at Carterville Tuesday evening in a SIRR crossover meeting.

The Bulldogs trailed 38-33 entering the fourth quarter and drew managed to draw even at 52-52 with 2:36 remaining on a 3-point play from Isaiah Saulsberry.

Saulsberry finished with a game-high 27 points while teammate Jordan Gould added 12.

No other Bulldog scored more than four points.

“We just have to make better decisions,” said Harrisburg coach Randy Smithpeters. “We gave up a lot good shots, and I will give Carterville credit, I thought a huge difference in this game was the skill level. They made their shots. They made their open shots. We make some of our open shots.”

Harrisburg pulled to within 58-56 late in the contest, but never had the lead down the stretch.

Harrisburg (10-15) led throughout most of the first quarter before Carterville’s Brendan Beasley closed the first stanza with a 3-pointer to give his club a 13-12 lead.

The Lions (15-12) outscored HHS 18-10 in the second quarter and led 31-22 at the break.

Carterville 6-foot-6 senior Taylor Heil scored 16 points in the first half. Heil finished with 25 for the Lions. Beasley finished with 10 for Shane Hawkins’ club.

Harrisburg’s Noah Ferrell drained a triple to close the third quarter which brought the Bulldogs to within two scores.

Harrisburg closes the regular season by traveling to Herrin Friday. Carterville goes to Pinckneyville Friday. Carterville won Tuesday’s junior varsity game 57-48.

Harrisburg 12 10 11 23 - 56

Carterville 13 18 07 24 - 62

HBG (56): Saulsberry 11 5-6 27, Gould 5 2-4 12, Smith 0 2-2, Ferrell 1 0-0 3, Bartok 2 0-0 4, Burtis 2 0-0 4, Morris 0 2-2 2, Doss 1 0-0 2. Totals 22 11-14 56.

CCHS (62): Jackson 2 1-2 5, Johnson 2 3-4 7, Moore 2 1-1 6, Beasley 4 0-1 10, Garbe 1 2-4 4, Heil 11 3-5 25, Laird 1 3-4 5. Totals 23 13-21 62.

3-pointers: HBG 1 (Ferrell), CHS 3 (Beasley 2, Moore). Team fouls: HBG 20, CHS 17. Fouled Out: Saulsberry. Records: HBG is 10-15, CAR is 15-12.

<strong>Gallatin County 55, Hardin County 46</strong>

Seth Ramsey and Audie Goebel each had a pair of 21-point performances as Gallatin County rolled to a 55-46 win over Hardin County Tuesday night.

Aaron Walters scored seven points for the Hawks, while Robbie Prince finished with four points. Luis Rubio and Trevor Duvall each tossed in a free throw for Gallatin County.

Lane Huston had a team-high 16 points for Hardin County, while Braxton Hicks finished with 15 for the Cougars.