The Todd County Central boys’ basketball team got 22 points from Preston Moore and held on down the stretch to knock off Metcalfe County 72-67 and punch their ticket to the All-A State Tournament in Richmond on January 27.
The Rebels improve to 14-2 on the season and will meet West Carter out of the 16th Region at McBrayer Arena on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University.
Moore provided the early offense for the Rebels, repeatedly getting to the rim and posting eight 1st-quarter points. After Metcalfe’s Jax Allen drilled a 3-pointer to give the Hornets an 11-10 edge, Moore scored on a drive and Jamison Glass provided a putback basket to give Todd Central a 14-13 advantage.
The Rebels found themselves in a six-point hole early in the 2nd, but tied the game at 23-23 after Perez Whitlock connected on a 3-pointer. After a pair of free throws for Metcalfe, Mareke Johnson drained a corner 3 at the buzzer to send the Rebels to the locker room with a 26-25 edge.
The Hornets opened up a four-point advantage to start the 3rd, but the Rebels regained the lead on a 3-point play by Moore. With 1:52 left, Johnson knocked down his second 3 of the quarter for a 41-39 Todd Central lead. This time it was Moore beating the buzzer with a corner 3 to propel the Rebels into the final frame with a four-point cushion.
A 10-3 run to start the 4th put the Rebels in control, with Preston Rager starting it with a 3-pointer and capping it with a hoop and a foul. Glass took the game over from there, scoring 10 points in two minutes to give the Rebels’ their largest lead of the night at 66-51.
However, Todd Central left the door open with 11/21 shooting from the free-throw line over the last eight minutes, and Metcalfe took advantage with four 3-pointers in the last minute. After Johnson hit one of two free throws for the Rebels with :13 left, the Hornets connected on a final 3 for the last points of the game.
Moore’s 22 led all scorers, followed for the Rebels by Glass with 19, and Johnson with 12. All three were named to the all-tournament team.
Todd Central 14 12 19 27 –72
Metcalfe County 13 12 16 26 — 67
Todd Central (14-2) — Moore 22, Glass 19, Johnson 12, Whitlock 9, Rager 6, Andrews 4
Metcalfe County (9-8) — Allen 20, Blythe 19, Jolly 12, Dial 9, Branstetter 4, Jessie 3
