Caldwell County needed another big game from senior Jabrion Spikes — and he delivered.
But he also had help.
Spikes hit for 35 points and the Tigers held off University Heights Academy 87-78 Friday night in the semifinals of the 2nd Region All A Classic at UHA.
Caldwell (11-3) will go for its first All A Classic regional basketball title Saturday night against defending champion Lyon County (9-4). That contest is set for 7 p.m., also at UHA.
Spikes was 14 of 17 from the floor (82 percent) to lead an efficient Caldwell offensive effort. As a team, the Tigers made 34 of 54 field goal attempts for 63 percent.
Spikes added 14 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal to his stat line.
But Caldwell also got 15 points and 14 boards from Dewey Riley, while Collin Whittington added 15 points and Zavy Bumphus had 13 points.
That helped Caldwell avenge a 72-48 loss to UHA in the season opener, although Spikes sat out that contest in Princeton.
The rematch was tied 15-15 through one quarter before Caldwell gained the upper hand in the second period.
The Blazers (6-8) managed just three field goals in the second quarter as Caldwell used a 20-9 advantage to take a 35-24 edge to the locker room.
UHA made an early run in the third period to get as close as two points, but the Tigers never surrendered the lead.
Caldwell went up 54-45 through three quarters.
Both teams put up 33 points in the fourth period as the Tigers had an answer each time UHA threatened to draw close.
Spikes netted 21 of his 35 points in the final frame to help hold the Blazers at bay.
Meanwhile, UHA’s Gavin Grubbs got 20 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter.
The Blazers also got 14 points from Lemar Northington and 10 from Javion Brown.
The Caldwell-Lyon final will be another rematch from earlier this season. Travis Perry scored 35 points as the Lyons overcame a 12-point, second-half deficit to defeat the Tigers 83-77 on Dec. 28 at the West Kentucky Hoops Classic in Princeton.
Saturday’s winner advances to the state All A Classic Jan. 27-30 at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.
Caldwell County 15 20 19 33—87
University Heights 15 9 21 33—78
Caldwell County (11-3) — Jabrion Spikes 35, Dewey Riley 15, Collin Whittington 15, Zavy Bumphus 13, Demaurius Thompson 5, Carter Whittington 4.
University Heights Academy (6-8) — Gavin Grubbs 35, Lemar Northington 14, Javion Brown 10, Quinton Quarles 6, Trevonne Wallace 5, Cameron Brown 3, Bryson Northington 3, Preston Thomas 2.
