BENTON — Civic Memorial defeated Mt. Carmel 62-38 on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, to claim the Benton Girls Invitational Tournament championship, marking the team’s first title after three consecutive appearances in the final.
Civic Memorial built an early lead, going up by 5 points (32-27) at halftime. The team extended its lead to 24 by the end of the third quarter and held firm through the final period.
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Four Civic Memorial players scored in double figures during the championship game: Marley Ogden, Isabelle Edwards, Addie Jeffery and Marlee Durbin. Ogden and Edwards were also named to the all-tournament team for their performances.
“We got after it, shot the ball well and got our mojo back on defense,” said Civic Memorial head coach Jeff Durbin. He noted the team’s resilience in the contest.
Durbin reflected on the significance of the victory and said, “This is our third year in it, and all three years made it to the championship, and lost the last two years to Mt. Vernon. I think the third time in the championship game was the charm.”
He also praised Mt. Carmel’s team, highlighting their guard play and a 6-foot-3 center, noting the team reached the state tournament last year in Class 2A. Despite Mt. Carmel’s reputation as a solid team, Civic Memorial maintained control throughout the game.
Durbin added, “I’m proud of my starters and bench; all contributed. The energy level did not dip.”
The Benton Girls Invitational Tournament showcased strong competition, with Civic Memorial emerging as the champion through a combination of balanced scoring, defensive effort, and sustained energy.
CM returns to action with a big game against Breese Central on the road Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2025. CM now stands 9-3 overall.
