A-J’s season ends with regional loss

Murphysboro avenged an earlier season loss to Anna-Jonesboro with a 64-46 win in the IHSA boys’ basketball Class 2A regional hosted by the Wildcats Friday, Feb. 28.

“They attacked us a little bit better this time,” A-J coach Mike Chamness said. “They did a much better job of penetrating.”

After controlling the opening tip, Jay Kemp, Zach Parr and Noah Prater each scored a basket to give the Wildcats a 6-5 lead. It would be the last lead they would hold.

The Red Devils made three 3-point baskets in the first quarter and led 19-11 at the end of the quarter.

Murphysboro led 32-23 at halftime before A-J rallied in the third quarter to pull to within 39-35 heading into the fourth quarter.

“We’d cut into the lead and they would come right back,” Chamness noted. The Red Devils were 14 of 14 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.

Parr scored 15 points and had 3 rebounds to lead the Wildcats. Noah Fuller added 7 points and 2 rebounds, McFarland 6 points and 3 rebounds and Prater 6 points and a rebound.

Kemp, Zane DeWitt and Colton James each had 4 points and a rebound. Damian Reed added 3 rebounds.

A-J shot 33 percent (13 of 39) from the field. They were 2 of 10 from 3-point range, 11 of 29 from 2-point range and 18 of 24 from the free throw line.

Murphysboro shot 53 percent (21 of 40) from the field. They were 4 of 11 from 3-point range, 17 of 29 from 2-point range and 18 of 22 from the free throw line.

The Wildcats finished with a 14-15 overall season record and were 5-5 in the Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division.

Wildcats McFarland, James, Reed and Kemp are seniors and will graduate this spring. 

“All our seniors were very important to our program,” Chamness said. “We will miss them, but it’s always good to have some starters coming back.”

Starters Parr, Fuller and Prater will return next season, as well as DeWitt, who saw varsity action this season.