YSE File Photo
Hopkinsville got big games from Daisjaun Mercer and K.C. Cabiness but it was still not enough to get them the Tigers past Louisville Eastern Monday night. The Eagles had four players in double figures as they came away with an 83-70 win over the Tigers in the opening round of the City of Middletown Holiday Classic.
Both teams came out of the gate with their offenses firing. Eastern would be holding a 25-21 lead when the opening quarter came to an end. Bryson Spaulding had eight points for the Eagles, including two made three pointers. Cabiness and Mercer combined to score 17 points in the quarter for the Tigers.
Both teams’ offenses slowed down just a bit in the second quarter. As they went to the break, Eastern had inched the lead out to 43-38.
The Eagles’ offense got wound up again coming out in the third quarter. Eastern outscored the Tigers 22-16 in the third and pushed the lead out to 65-54 going into the final eight minutes.
Eastern was then able to fend Hoptown off coming down the stretch and pick up the 13 point win.
K.C. Cabiness and Daisjaun Mercer each had 21 points for the Tigers. Bubba Leavell added 14 points.
Eastern was led by Stacey Anderson and Jaden Johnson with 19 points each.
The Tigers drop to 4-4 with the loss and will be back in action Tuesday in the Holiday Classic.
HHS — 21 17 16 16 – 70
EHS — 25 18 22 18 – 83
Hopkinsville (4-4) – Cabiness 21, Mercer 21, Leavell 14, Manning 6, Williams 5, Johnson 2, White 1
Eastern (5-5) – Anderson 19, Johnson 19, Spaulding 16, Cook 14, Kamba 9, Shee 4, Ashby 2
