Holiday Tournaments Shake Up Ballin4God Rankings as Centralia Holds Top Spot
- Russ Conwell
- Jan 2
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 2
The holiday tournaments shook up the Ballin4God rankings, and several teams felt the impact. Pinckneyville took the biggest fall, slipping out of the rankings entirely after sitting at 7–6 and receiving votes previously. Marion also dropped, sliding to #5 after going 1–4 in its last five games as the competition stiffened over the break.
Despite finishing runner-up in its own event, the Centralia Orphans held firm at the top of the rankings following the 82nd Centralia Holiday Tournament. Centralia now sits at 13–1, backed by statement wins over Marion and Mt. Vernon. The Orphans return to action Tuesday, January 6th, on the road at Highland, before opening conference play Friday, January 9th, at home against Carbondale.
The Woodlawn Cardinals climbed up one spot to #2 after winning the Duster Thomas Hoops Classic. The Cardinals stayed unbeaten by edging Sparta 48–46 in the championship game, with Kyle Cooper earning Tournament MVP honors. Woodlawn gets right back to work Friday, January 2nd, at Patoka/Odin, then faces another tough test on the road at Webber on Tuesday, January 6th.
Just behind them, the Goreville Blackcats surged up the rankings after capturing the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament. Goreville survived a thriller against Waltonville, pulling out a 40–39 win after a free throw was converted after time expired. The Blackcats return to conference play Friday, January 9th, at Trico, while Waltonville will travel to Crab Orchard on Tuesday, January 6th, before hosting Webber on Friday. Those matchups could play a major role in shaping the next poll.
The Carterville Lions made their presence felt by winning the Eldorado Holiday Tournament Championship, jumping all the way to #4 in the rankings. Carterville wastes no time getting back into action, hosting Harrisburg on Friday, January 2nd, before heading to DuQuoin on Saturday, January 3rd.
Sparta also made a move, climbing one spot after a strong showing at the Duster Thomas Hoops Classic. The Bulldogs pushed Woodlawn to the brink in the championship game and now sit at 11–2 on the season. Sparta opens conference play at home against Chester, follows with a non-conference matchup against Marissa/Coulterville, and closes the week on the road at Red Bud.
Even after winning the Mater Dei Christmas Classic, the Nashville Hornets slipped to #9 in the rankings. Senior Maddox Ritzel put on a show during the tournament, averaging 27.5 points and 7 rebounds per game, continuing to anchor the Hornets offensively.
Rounding out the Ballin4God rankings are the Benton Rangers, who finished 3–1 and placed fifth at the 67th Columbia/Freeburg Tournament. Benton now stands at 12–2, with its only losses coming against Goreville (59–48) and Alton Marquette (56–49). The Rangers return home this week for three games against Nashville, West Frankfort, and Fairfield as they head into the second half of the season.
Ballin4God Rankings – Week 7 (January 2nd)
1. Centralia — 102 points (10)
2. Woodlawn — 86 points (1)
3. Goreville — 63 points
4. Carterville — 61 points
5. Marion — 58 points
6. Mt. Vernon — 56 points
7. Waltonville — 55 points
8. Sparta — 52 points
9. Nashville — 40 points
10. Benton — 36 points
Others Receiving Votes: Webber 32, Murphysboro 17
Full Game Highlights (December 15-31)
Galatia Bearcats vs NCOE Cardinals: https://youtu.be/Z8rptEtwu7Y
Christopher Bearcats vs Sesser-Valier Red Devils: https://youtu.be/6BZKf0voGJI
Carterville Lions vs Nashville Hornets: https://youtu.be/eFNZ3OT9kB0
Centralia Orphans vs Marion Wildcats: https://youtu.be/4mi3r_VuMkg
EHT | Fairfield Mules vs West Frankfort Redbirds: https://youtu.be/vM-sVRWzAMA
EHT| Gallatin County Hawks vs Hamilton County Foxes: https://youtu.be/BikgkDbHTq4
EHT | Hardin County Cougars vs Herrin Tigers: https://youtu.be/jrW8pw94Afk
SVHT Semifinal | DuQuoin Indians vs Goreville Blackcats: https://youtu.be/viXdRNdV7tU
SVHT Semifinal | Altamont Indians vs Waltonville Spartans: https://youtu.be/f9AWk8Q55nM
SVHT 3rd Place | Altamont Indians vs DuQuoin Indians: https://youtu.be/GUmu9FLCgGE?si=NeQHymWcPErZjFF8
SVHT Championship | Goreville Blackcats vs Waltonville Spartans: https://youtu.be/6J29Kg1M7T8
DTHC Championship | Sparta Bulldogs vs Woodlawn Cardinals: https://youtu.be/dt8YEz4IWWM
Here some of the highlighted teams below:
Anna-Jonesboro (6-7) Eldorado 63-55 W, Massac County 76-52 W, Vienna 63-53 W,
Carterville 59-28 W
Key Wins: Massac County (67-59), Massac County (76-52)
Key Losses:
Benton (12-2) Seckman (MO) 48-46 W, Riverview Garden (MO) 71-49 W, Marquette Catholic 56-49 L, Waterloo 46-35 W
Key Wins: Murphysboro (54-47)
Key Losses:
Cairo (8-6) Egyptian 94-19 W, Johnston City 47-26 W, Cobden 53-50 L
Key Wins:
Key Losses:
Carbondale (6-8) Madison 70-25 W, Belleville East 56-38 L, Oakville (MO) 61-40 W,
Pattonville (MO) 67-58 L, Rockford East 57-50 L
Key Wins:
Key Losses:
Carlyle (8-5) Jersey 44-37 L, Mt. Carmel 43-34 W, Richland County 52-38 W Okawville 57-35 W
Key Wins:
Key Losses:
Carterville (12-1) CWC 57-29 W, Edward County 64-61 W, Fairfield 53-43 W,
Anna-Jonesboro 59-28 W
Key Wins: Goreville (69-66), Nashville (75-73)
Key Losses:
Centralia (13-1) Marion 36-26 W, Sumner (MO) 79-26 W, Chicago King 67-39 W, Alton 64-43 W, Marist 50-42 L
Key Wins: Mt. Vernon (57-39), Marion (36-36)
Key Losses: Marist (50-42)
DuQuoin (5-4) Sesser-Valier 64-46 W, Goreville 45-44 L, Altamont 67-64 W
Key Wins: Pinckneyville (41-38)
Key Losses: Goreville (45-44)
Edwards County (10-6) Sandoval 79-41 W, NCOE 68-48 W, Carterville 64-61 L, Hamilton County 66-42 W, Herrin 56-48 L
Key Wins: Wayne City (58-53)
Key Losses: Hamilton County (38-35), Carterville (64-61)
Fairfield (8-5) West Frankfort 43-37 W, Hamilton County 46-37 W, Carterville 53-43 L,
Vienna 68-48 W
Key Wins:
Key Losses:
Gallatin County (8-7) Galatia 53-51 W, Hamilton County 65-59 OT/L, West Frankfort 54-41 W, NCOE 56-43 L
Key Wins: NCOE (46-45), Galatia (53-51)
Key Losses: NCOE (44-38), Hamilton County (65-59)
Goreville (11-1) Red Bud 79-63 W, DuQuoin 45-44 W, Waltonville 40-39 W
Key Wins: Benton (59-48), Waltonville (40-39)
Key Losses: Carterville (69-66)
Hardin County (9-6) Herrin 50-44 L, Harrisburg 86-55 W, Eldorado 56-48 W, NCOE 60-52 W
Key Wins: NCOE (53-36)
Key Losses: NCOE (46-45), Herrin (50-44)
Hamilton County (8-4) Gallatin County 65-59 OT/W, Fairfield 46-37 L, Edwards County 66-42 L
Key Wins: Edwards County (38-35)
Key Losses:
Herrin (8-4) Hardin County 50-44 W, Vienna 60-46 L, Massac County 68-54 W, Edwards County 56-48 W
Key Wins:
Key Losses:
Marion (8-4) Centralia 36-26 L, Mt. Zion 43-36 L, Limestone 60-56 L, Jacksonville 60-56 L, Comer 68-21 W
Key Wins: Breese Mater Dei (50-45)
Key Losses:
Massac County (6-5) Carrier Mills 96-24 W, Anna-Jonesboro 76-52 L, Herrin 68-54 L
Key Wins:
Key Losses:
Mt. Vernon (10-2) Collinsville 54-40 W, Christian County 69-39 W, Oakville (MO) 58-24 W, Belleville East 56-55 W, McCluer North 50-48 W, Decatur MacArthur 61-32 L
Key Wins: Triad (48-42), Belleville East (56-55)
Key Losses:
Murphysboro (8-4) Mt. Carmel 59-32 W, Jersey 30-27 W, Woodlawn 54-51 L, Roxana 55-52 W
Key Wins: Roxana (55-52)
Key Losses:
Nashville (10-2) St. Charles West (MO) 64-44 W, Waterloo Gibault 68-35 W, Breese Central 65-50 W, Orchard Farm (MO) 49-46 W
Key Wins: Columbia (58-56), Orchard Farm (MO) (49-46)
Key Losses: Carterville (75-73)
Pinckneyville (7-6) Graves County (KY) 60-52 L, Christopher 58-25 W, Roxana 71-58 L, Steeleville 69-32 W
Key Wins:
Key Losses: Woodlawn (50-49)
Sparta (11-2) Trico 68-37 W, Salem 71-55 W, Roxana 60-47 W, Woodlawn 48-46 L
Key Wins: Carlyle (62-47), Wesclin (53-49)
Key Losses: Breese Central (63-50), Woodlawn (48-46)
Vienna (6-7) Harrisburg 64-50 W, Herrin 60-46 W, Anna-Jonesboro 63-53 L, Fairfield 68-48 L
Key Wins:
Key Losses:
Waltonville (12-2) Marrissa/Coulterville 91-43 W, Altamont 52-47 W, Goreville 40-39 L
Key Wins: Webber (54-47), Carterville (53-37), Altamont (52-47)
Key Losses: Woodlawn (48-43), Goreville (40-39)
Webber (11-1)
Key Wins: North Clay (78-73)
Key Losses: Waltonville (54-47)
Woodlawn (13-0) Meridian 73-51 W, Steeleville 66-36 W, Murphysboro 54-51 W, Sparta 48-46 W
Key Wins: Pinckneyville (50-49), Waltonville (48-43), Sparta (48-46)
Key Losses:
Comments