Colonels Rally Twice to Win Semifinal Thriller Over Hoptown

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It was the kind of game you want to see between crosstown rivals with the season on the line. There was high energy, tough defense, rallies, big momentum swings, and decided in the final seconds. Christian County got a basket from Stephen Bussell inside the final five seconds to win a classic battle with the Hopkinsville Tigers by the score of 50-49. The Colonels overcame double digit deficits not once, but twice in the second half of play.

The Tigers opened quickly out of the gate. Hopkinsville scored the first six points of the game to go up 6-0. Christian County did not take long to respond. Trailing 8-4, the Colonels ripped off a 12-2 run to claim a 16-10 lead. Olajuwon White, Stephen Bussell, and Kobe Dillard, all played big roles during the run. When the quarter ended the Colonels were holding a five point lead at 19-14.

Hopkinsville’s defense then took over the game in the second quarter. The Tigers held Christian County without a point until 2:20 to go in the half, when Kobe Dillard found the basket. By that time, behind the play of Reece Jesse, Hopkinsville had rallied to take a 23-21 lead. The Tigers then scored the final four points of the half to take a 27-21 lead at the break. Reece Jesse had a big opening half for the Tigers, coming up with 8 points.

The Tigers came out of the break looking like they were ready to run away with the game. Five quick points at the start, and the Hoptown lead grew to 11 at 32-21. Christian County’s offense finally found a groove over the next few minutes, outscoring Hopkinsville 12-1 to tie the game at 33-33. Stephen Bussell and Bubba Leavell keyed the rally.

Hopkinsville came right back with a run of their own. The Tigers closed out the quarter 8-2 to take a 41-35 lead into the final eight minutes of the game. Reece Jesse and Jamarcus Burks led the run at the end of the quarter.

Then came the finish you should have been there to see. Jamarcus Burks scored the first four points of the final quarter, and for the second time in the second half, the Colonels were down by double digits at 45-35. However, in the blink of an eye, that ten point lead vanished.

A three by Bubba Leavell, and then five quick points from Stephen Bussell, and just like that, the margin was two points at 45-43, and the Colonels were not done yet. Three more points capped off an 11-0 run and the Colonels had the lead at 46-45 with 3:14 to go.

Reece Jesse scored with 1:50 to go in the game to put Hoptown back in front 48-47 with 1:50 to go.

Then, it was Olajuwon White’s turn. The Colonel big man scored to put the Colonels up 49-48.

Not to be outdone, Alijah Watts found the basket on a second chance basket for Hopkinsville and was fouled with 17.4 seconds to go in the game to give the Tigers the lead back at 49-48.

After Watts missed the free throw, Christian County came down looking for a chance to win the game and got that chance. Stephen Bussell came up with a ball out of a scrum on the floor, drove to the basket and scored with 3.3 seconds to go to put the Colonels back up.

Hopkinsville would get one final chance, but an off-balance shot from Alijah Watts was offline and the Colonels survived a thriller.
Christian County was led by Stephen Bussell, who finished with 16 points, including the game winning basket. Olajuwon White ended the game with !2 points. Kobe Dillard also reached double figures with 11.

For Hopkinsville, Don Victor topped the scoring column with 16 points. Reece Jesse added 11 for the Tigers. Jamarcus Burks just missed reaching double figures with nine points.

Christian County improves to 11-18 on the season and will advance on to Thursday night’s championship game, where they will take on University Heights. The Blazers won both regular season matchups between the teams.

Hopkinsville ends its season at 14-17.

 

SCORE BY QUARTER

CCHS (11-18) 19 2 14 15 – 50
HHS (14-17) 14 13 14 8 – 49

INDIVIDUAL SCORING
CCHS: Bussell 16, White 12, Dillard 11, Chambers 2, Mathis 3, Leavell 6
HHS: Victor 16, Jesse 11, Watts 7, Mercer 3, Burks 9, Smith-Rudd 3

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