Jhaden Vaughn hit two free throws with no time on the clock to lift Trigg County to a 50-49 win over Russellville Tuesday in the Chappel Allen Memorial Classic at Wildcat Gym.
The free throws capped a 14-3 run for Trigg County that saw them erase a 10-point deficit with 5:28 left.
The Wildcats won the game at the free throw line, hitting 11 of 15 in the fourth quarter and 21 of 29 for the game.
Russellville was unable to put the game away due to 3 of 17 shooting from the field in the fourth quarter and missing both of its free throw attempts. That created the perfect storm for Trigg County to win the first meeting between the schools in 16 years.
Trigg County held a slim 22-21 halftime lead, but consecutive 3-pointers by Jaquis Todd and a triple by Layne Steele gave the Panthers a 30-27 third quarter lead.
The Panthers continued to build the lead into the fourth quarter before the Wildcats began to rally. Trigg took its first lead of the fourth quarter on a Khyran Vaughn bucket with 1:01 left.
Kelsey Parham made one of two free throws with 23 seconds left to push the lead to 48-46. Kendahl Edmonds countered with a 3-pointer from the wing with 10 seconds left to put the Panthers up 49-48.
Jhaden Vaughn pushed the ball up the floor and was fouled on a long jumper with no time on the clock, setting up his winning free throws. He finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while older brother Khyran had 21 points and 15 boards.
Playing without three guards for various reasons, the Wildcats struggled at times with Russellville’s pressure defense and turned the ball over 23 times.
Todd led Russellville with13 points and 10 rebounds with Edmonds adding 10 points.
Tuesday was the 20th meeting between the schools but only the second meeting in 32 years. It was Russellville’s first trip to Wildcat Gym since 1977.
Trigg County will play Union County in the championship Wednesday night at 7:30. The Braves hammered Martin Westview, Tenn. 107-71. Izaiah Manuel had 39 points for Union County and Kaleb Kanipe added 21 points.
Russellville 8 13 21 7– 49
Trigg County 6 16 11 17– 50
Russellville [1-4] – Todd 13, Edmonds 10, Steele 6, Russell 4, Gamble 4, McMurry 3, Nick Woodard 3, AJ Woodard 2, Byrd 2, Dowlen 2
Trigg County [4-3] – K. Vaughn 21, J. Vaughn 15, Adams 8, Parham 3, Washer 2, Ahart 1
