The Todd County Central Rebels will get the chance to play for their first trip to the All A Classic state tournament in 18 years Friday night. The Rebels used a strong defensive performance to overcome a second-half lull and pick up a 46-40 win over Monroe County Thursday night at Russellville High School.
With Jamison Glass and Mareke Johnson having their way early, the Rebels scored the last six points of the opening quarter to take a 16-8 lead and early control of the game.
The Falcons had no answer in the early going for the size of Glass down close to the basket and no answer outside for the speed of Johnson, as both were able to get looks just about any time they wanted.
The second quarter was more of the same. The Rebels were able to contain Monroe County on the defensive end, while the Todd Central offense was able to continue to get to the basket. The Rebels would score the last seven points of the half to push their lead out to 31-16 at the break.
Just as it looked as if the Rebels would run away from the Falcons to make the regional final, the Falcons made an adjustment that turned the momentum of the game.
Monroe County opened the second half in a tight 2-3 zone that was packed in from the free-throw line down. The Rebels seemed to lose their momentum as they tried to figure out how best to attack the zone and the Falcons made the best of the opportunity.
Monroe County opened the second half on a 10-1 run, and suddenly the seemingly comfortable 15 point lead was down to six at 32-26. The Falcons would close to within three at 35-32 in the waning moments of the quarter. The Rebels then came up with what was likely the biggest momentum play of the game.
Todd Central played the clock down for the final shot of the quarter, but missed, however, Amari Andrews found the rebound and put it in just ahead of the horn to push the lead back out to 37-32 heading into the final eight minutes.
Monroe County would get no closer than five points during the final quarter as the Rebels held on for the six-point win. Todd Central got big late-game baskets from Jamison Glass and Mareke Johnson.
The Falcons will look back at their free throw shooting as a reason they could not complete the comeback. The Falcons were only 7 of 15 at the line in the second half, and just 10 of 22 for the game.
The Rebels were able to hold on despite their own troubles at the line coming down the stretch. Todd Central was 5 of 11 at the stripe in the second half.
Mareke Johnson led Todd County Central with 14 points. Jamison Glass finished the night with 13 points for the Rebels. Amari Andrews also reached double figures with 10.
Keaton Biggerstaff was the only Falcon to hit double figures with ten points. Deaton Emmert and Austin Arnett added 9 points each.
With the win, the Rebels improve to 13-2 and advance on to Friday night’s All A championship game against Metcalfe County. The Hornets advanced by taking down defending All A regional champion Clinton County 53-50.
MCHS — 8 8 16 8 – 40
TCCHS — 16 15 6 9 – 46
Monroe County (2-11) – Biggerstaff 10, Emmert 9, Arnett 9, Harlin 6, Petett 5, Williams 1
Todd Central (13-2) Johnson 14, Glass 13, Andrews 10, Whitlock 6, Moore 3,
