BY FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
The Bulldogs’ winning streak hit eight games Friday night in a 67-43 Apollo Conference triumph at Charleston.
Grant Coleman scored 19 points and Kobe Essien fired in 14 points as M-S dispatched the Trojans for the second time this season by at least 20 points.
Essien posted a double-double after grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds.
“We played really well,” M-S coach Ryan Bosch said. “It was a balanced team effort across the board and our defense again was our calling card.”
The defensive effort started with stopper Cole Lener.
“Once again Cole Lener guarded Charleston’s best offensive player holding him scoreless (on 0-for-5 shooting) while dishing out 10 assists on the other end,” Bosch said.
Another noteworthy contribution was courtesy of Eli Warren. He was assigned to the Trojans’ point guard and limited him to two points.
“Eli Warren played great defense against the Landrus kid who really makes them go at point guard,” Bosch said.
Finch scored nine points for the Bulldogs. Lener had five rebounds and Mason Butler grabbed four rebounds.
Nic Liagridonis ended with three assists. Coleman, Essien and Finch each contributed two steals.
M-S (19-10) returns to action on Friday in its Senior Night game against Mattoon.
The Bulldogs have been assigned to the Rantoul Class 3A regional and are the No. 1 seed among the five competing schools at the site.
M-S will open postseason play on Tuesday, March 3 against the winner of a Monday game between Champaign Central and Rantoul.
