Two of the four unbeaten teams in the LIC boys basketball race are being put to the test this week. That list could be trimmed in half by the end of the weekend. But, there could also be a new sole leader in the standings at the midway point of the conference race. Let’s see what happens next!
As it stands, Lawrenceville, Newton, and Olney are all tied with 2-0 league marks, with Casey-Westfield next at 1-0. It is Olney who could vault to the top by itself if the Tigers (6-11 overall) can win at Marshall (2-1 conference, 4-7 for the season). Lawrenceville (14-1 overall and ranked No. 2 in the latest AP Class 1A poll) steps outside of the LIC on Friday with a game at Fairfield (9-6), while Newton (8-6 on the season) is idle until a Tuesday non-conference matchup at Effingham (6-10).
Casey-Westfield (1-0, 11-4 season) heads for Paris (0-3, 8-9) on Friday. The other league encounter features two teams looking for their first LIC win of the season. It’s Mt. Carmel (0-2, 7-8) at Robinson (0-3, 6-9).
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Payton McGuire of Marshall is listed among the state scoring leaders, according to Massey. McGuire, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, averages 19.9 points per game, good for 20th on the list headed by Logan Ruddy of Flanagan-Cornell at 29.5 points per game. McGuire has finished in double figures in every Lions game (five times topping the 20-point mark), with a season-high of 40 points against OPH in a 73-57 Marshall win on Dec. 16.
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Cruz Dunlap of Robinson also put up a big number against Grayville on Dec. 26. The 6-7, 245-pound junior power forward scored 32 points in a 94-54 Maroons win.
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Here is the weekend schedule:
Friday, Jan. 9
x-Casey-Westfield at Paris, 6:00 p.m.
x-Mt. Carmel at Robinson, 6:00 p.m.
x-Olney at Marshall, 6::00 p.m.
Lawrenceville at Fairfield, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 10
OPH at Mt. Carmel, 1:00 p.m.
All times are CST.
x-denotes conference game
This story will be edited as more information becomes available. The LIC standings table is yet to be updated. All season records listed are from Massey.
