Just when it looked like Trigg County was going to snap a 13-game losing streak to Marshall County, Quinn Smith had other ideas. The Marshal senior hit a free throw line jumper with 26 seconds left, and Marshall County withstood a couple of late Trigg shots to escape Cadiz with a 62-61 win Monday in the 2021 season opener for both teams.
Trigg County battled back from a 21-point first half deficit and had the lead three times in the final 2:11. Each time, Marshall County had an answer in a fourth quarter that featured six lead changes and a tie.
Marshall County Mr. Basketball candidate Zion Harmon was unavailable for the Marshals Monday but is expected to play Tuesday. The Marshals showed early that Harmon wasn’t needed as they used a 14-0 run to take an 18-4 lead.
Marshall County sophomore Cole Mills, who wasn’t on the varsity team last year, scored 13 points in the first quarter and 23 in the first half. Marshall continually fed off Trigg turnovers to build a 34-13 first half lead. The Marshals scored 16 points off 17 Trigg miscues in taking a 37-21 lead into the locker room.
Trigg shot just xxx from the field in the first 16 minutes but found its rhythm midway through the third quarter. Hunter Reynolds came off the bench to hit a pair of first half 3-pointers, and the Wildcats continued their marksmanship in the second half.
Senior De’Von Ladd, who transferred in over Christmas from North Carolina and has been with the team for a week, scored nine of his team-high 20 in the third quarter as the Wildcats started their comeback.
To Marshall’s credit, they made the shots they needed to make. Smith scored Marshall County’s final four points – one on a putback with 1:01 left and the game-winner. Smith finished with 10 points.
Freshman Jhaden Vaughn scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers. He also grabbed 10 rebounds.
Tae Thompson added 11 points for Trigg before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Trigg County hit 10-of-25 shots from behind the arc, but that was offset by Marshall County shooting 51-percent from the field and 17-of-23 at the free throw line.
The visit to Wildcat Gym was Marshall County’s first since 1990. Trigg last beat the Marshals in 1982.
Both teams jump back into action Tuesday with road games. Marshall County visits Thomas Nelson, while Trigg County will play at McLean County.
Marshall County 20 17 11 14– 62
TRIGG COUNTY 6 15 18 22– 61
Marshall County [1-0] – Mills 34, Q. Smith 10, Miller 6, Sedlock 5, Schroeder 3, Driver 2, Moore 2
Trigg County [0-1] – Ladd 20, J. Vaughn 15, Thompson 11, Adams 9, Reynolds 6
