It was tight all the way through, and it came down to the final minute between the two crosstown rival. The Hopkinsville Tigers will have a chance to snare the top seed in the 8th District tournament, following a big win Saturday afternoon at Tiger Gym. The Tigers knocked off crosstown rival Christian County 53-51 in an intense battle on the Tigers’ home floor.
The game was big for the Tigers as it now gives them a chance at the top seed, depending on what happens in their game next Saturday night. The #2 and #3 seeds will play in an elimination game in the first round of the 8th District tournament. With the loss Saturday, Christian County is now locked in as one of the two teams that will play in that game.
The mid-afternoon start did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm and intensity on the court, as both teams were ready to take each other on from the opening tip. The Colonels had a slight edge during most of the first quarter, and held a two points lead after one at 12-10. The game was tied at 2-2, 4-4, and 10-10 during the opening eight minutes. Hopkinsville’s biggest lead was two, while the Colonels never led by more than four.
With Don Victor getting things going in the second quarter, the Tigers opened the quarter on a 10-2 run to jump out to a 20-14 lead. With a breakaway dunk and two free throws from Tefrell Toliver, Hopkinsville extended the lead to 8 points at 24-16. Christian County staged a late quarter run and got the lead down to as close as two points, before the teams headed into the locker room with the Tigers holding a 30-26 lead.
With both teams playing extra tight defense, baskets had been at a premium in the first half, and the same pattern continued in the 2nd half, as both the Tigers and Colonels had trouble getting shots to fall. Christian County opened the half by running off a 7-0 spurt to take the lead back at 33-30. For the rest of the quarter, the game was then tied at 33, 34, and 38, before the second free throw from James Nicholas put the Tigers up 39-38 at the end of three.
Another issue that developed for the Colonels in the 3rd quarter was foul problems. After the third, Eric Brody, Shaphane Stowe, and Olajuwon White, all had four fouls. Brody would end up fouling out in the first minute of the final quarter.
The game was tied at 42-42, and 45-45 early in the 4th quarter. The turning point came on a basket by Reece Jesse with 2:57 to that put the Tigers up 47-45. That was followed by a huge putback by Tiger big man Jamarion Sharp with 1:21 to go that made it 49-45. The Colonels would cut it to 2 points at 49-47 and 51-49, with 39-seconds to go. Don Victor made two three throws to push it back out to 53-49 with 29.4-seconds left.
Christian County pushed the ball upcourt, but missed a shot with 12-seconds to go. Hopkinsville came down with the rebound to seal the win. The Tigers got a little loose with the ball in the final 3 seconds, allowing Christian County to score a meaningless basket at the horn.
James Nicholas led the way for the Tigers with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Reece Jesse and Don Victor added 10 points each. While Jamarion Sharp scored only 5 points, he ended up with 11 rebounds and 9 blocked shots.
Christian County was led by Damekion Mathis with 14 points. Fred Tandy was also in double figures with 11.
Hopkinsville improves to 14-9 overall and 3-1 in the district. The Tigers will play UHA next Saturday, and then Fort Campbell on February 11.
Christian County falls to 12-13 overall and 1-3 in 8th District play. The Colonels will wrap up district play with games against Fort Campbell on Monday, and UHA on Tuesday.
