Edwardsville’s boys basketball team is riding high again after capturing the Salem Tourney title matchup 38-33 over Centralia.
A.J. Epenesa scored 10 points; Mark Smith and Oliver Stephen added nine points each.
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Edwardsville led the low-scoring game at halftime 19-18. The game was knotted at 27-27 at the end of the third quarter.
Edwardsville coach Mike Waldo said the Tigers beat two quality teams in the Salem Tourney – Mt. Vernon and Centralia.
“Being able to win those two games back to back was a very good accomplishment for our guys,” he said. “We had a good overall tournament at Salem.”
EDWARDSVILLE 58, MT. VERNON 51: A.J. Epenesa scored 24 points and hauled in 10 rebounds as Edwardsville advanced to the Salem Invitational final with a 58-51 win over Mt. Vernon Friday night.
The Tigers will take on Centralia, who eliminated Effingham 59-26, in the other semifinal, Saturday night in the final; Edwardsville has won the last three titles in a row.
Mark Smith added 17 points for the Tigers and Oliver Stephen scored eight.
Braden Fitzjarrels led the Rams (16-4) with 14 points, with Gilwan Nelson adding 10.
Edwardsville is now 12-7 overall and hosts Belleville West on Friday.
