A gritty effort from the Cairo Bearcats fell just short in a Class 1 sectional 54-48 loss to St Elizabeth Monday.
The start was everything Cairo wanted.
St E closed the quarter on a 13-3 run to grab a two-point lead. The Hornets maintained the advantage the rest of the way aside from a few ties and a brief one-point lead for Cairo in the second quarter.
St E led by as much as 13 late in the game before Cairo hit a flurry of threes to get as close as five, but the run ultimately came too late. The Bearcats had numerous good shots from distance but couldn’t hit any between the big opening and finishing stretch.
Cairo’s three senior starters finished in double figures. Conner Wright had 17 and was the Freeman Financial and Insurance Outstanding Player of the Game. Kaden Winkler added 12 while Zander Holman chipped in 10.
The Bearcats close the season at 19-10.
Cairo coach Brian Winkler Postgame:
