Coming into Tuesday’s season opener, Trigg County had won 12 straight games over Dawson Springs and 30 of 31 dating back to 2000. The Wildcats needed all 32 minutes to extend that streak by one game as they rallied for a 63-55 win at the Panther Pit.
The Wildcats had to rally twice in the second half to overcome a gritty effort by the Panthers on their home floor. Dawson led 38-31 with 2:25 left in the third quarter before the Wildcats scored six straight to make it a 38-27 game after three quarters.
The Panthers extended their lead to 48-44 with 4:07 left thanks to eight free throws and a Landon Pace bucket. The Wildcats turned up the defensive pressure and forced five turnovers in the final four minutes. Down 50-49 with 2:15 left, the Wildcats outscored Dawson Springs 14-5 the rest of the way.
Trigg had missed 13 straight 3-pointers until Jakobe Bridges broke a 52-all tie with the Wildcats’ lone 3-pointer of the night with 1:45 left.
The Wildcats got a big boost from two players who saw no varsity time last year.
Sophomore Kion Thompson scored four points in the final 70 seconds and finished with a team-high 16 points and four rebounds. Eighth grader Gavin Grubbs ran the point for most of the fourth quarter and had three points and an assist in the final two minutes. He had 14 points, five rebounds, and four steals.
Freshman Kendric Adams overcame a slow start to finish with nine points and 12 rebounds. Shaun Terrell also had nine points for the Wildcats
Trigg County hit 20-of-37 free throws but knocked down 11-of-14 in the second half. They outrebounded Dawson Springs 46-35 and scored 18 points off 19 Dawson Springs turnovers.
Skyler Clark led Dawson Springs (1-1) with 24 points. Landon Pace added 12, and Cameron Boyd had 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Panthers hit just 3-of-26 from behind the arc.
Trigg County (1-0) will look for their first win over Marshall County on the Marshals’ home floor in 10 career meetings when they play Thursday night at the Marshall County Hoop Fest.
