BUCKLEY’S CREEK, Ky. (WMDJ) – The two highest scoring teams in the 15th region both advanced to Tuesday night’s championship of the regional tournament with convincing wins in semifinal play.
Game one saw the Lawrence County Bulldogs blister the nets, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 4-of-6 from 3-point range, to go along with 6-for-6 free throws in a 28-14 first quarter advantage over the homestanding Pike County Central Hawks.
Lawrence County would lead by as many as 30 points by the third quarter before Pike County Central cut the lead to 15 with less than three minutes remaining in the game. The deficit proved to be too much to overcome as Lawrence County won 93-76.
Senior Jaden Stewart, the 15th region player of the year from Pike County Central, finished a stellar high school career scoring 39 points on 16-for-24 shooting from the field, 4-of-8 from behind the line and 3-for-5 on the free throw line, to go along with seven rebounds and four steals.
In game two, Martin County sank six first quarter 3-point baskets and held off a pesky Floyd Central effort to win 103-85.
The Cardinals would shoot 17-for-34 from 3-point range, led by senior Peyton Davis, who connected on his first six shots from the outside and finished 7-for-9 from behind the arch and scored 26 points.
Senior Parker Watts led all scorers with 29 points. Freshman Bryson Dials tallied 24 points for Martin County, which shot 58% from the field on the night.
Floyd Central nearly doubled the rebounding effort of Martin County and racked up 29-second chance points, but the quickness of Martin County caused 21 Jaguar turnovers, resulting in 29 points for the Cardinals.
Five players scored in double figures for Floyd Central, led by junior Chris Spriggs with 21. 8th grader Lucas Howard recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Dylan Boyd scored 13, while freshman Wesley Buck and junior James Samons contributed 12 and 10 points respectfully.
Lawrence County and Martin County will face off in Tuesday’s championship set for 7 p.m. from Pike County Central High School.
