Senior Night Showdown: Lions Host Red Devils with Conference Title on the Line
- Dave McKenzie
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
It’s the final stop of the regular season, and it’s a big one. The Carterville Lions host the Murphysboro Red Devils tonight on Senior Night. Pregame coverage starts at 7:30 PM.
There’s hardware on the line, too. Carterville has already clinched at least a share of the SIRR Conference – Ohio Division title. With a win tonight, the Lions can take it outright—no sharing required.
When the Lions beat Massac County last Friday night, that win tied this Lions team for the most wins in school history with 26. A win tonight, would set the record for most wins in a season.
Carterville has played like a team that expects to be playing in March for a while. Through 29 games, the Lions are scoring 63.2 points per game while allowing 49.4. That’s a +13.8 scoring margin that travels well… and looks even better at home.
The numbers tell a simple story: Carterville is efficient and tough to speed up.
47.8% shooting overall (53.5% effective FG)
57.4% on two-pointers
31.1% from three
65.7% at the free throw line
The “Four Factors” check out like a team that wins the right way. Carterville protects the ball (16.8% turnover rate) and creates extra chances (33.0% offensive rebounding rate). Add in steady free throw pressure (FT rate around 0.29) and you get a team that can win pretty… or win ugly. Either way counts the same in the standings.
The Lions come in rolling, with five straight wins: Massac County, Harrisburg, Chester, Anna-Jonesboro, and Frankfort. And they’ve already seen Murphysboro once this season—Carterville won 60-56 back on January 16. Expect the Red Devils to remember that one. (Nothing motivates like a close loss and a long bus ride home.)
Tonight is about seniors, sure—but it’s also about finishing the job. A regular season finale. A rivalry-style matchup. And a chance to hang a conference title that doesn’t need an asterisk or a roommate. Tune in at 7:30 PM and let’s see if the Lions can make Senior Night a championship night, too.
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