Madisonville-North Hopkins moved to the top of the 7th District standings with Monday night’s 58-50 win over Caldwell County at Maroon Gym.
But the Tigers’ hopes for the No. 1 seed for the district tournament are still very much alive.
In the 7th District, the second matchup is the tiebreaker, and the two squads are scheduled to meet again Friday in Princeton.
The Maroons (15-7 overall, 3-0 district) also still have two games remaining against Hopkins County Central while the Tigers have already swept the Storm.
Caldwell (15-6, 4-1) led for much of Monday’s makeup date in Madisonville (the game had been postponed twice), even going up 35-28 following a 3-pointer from Carter Whittington with 1:01 left in the third period.
But just when it looked like the Tigers might have the momentum, Madisonville responded with a 14-1 run to grab the lead for good.
A putback by Zach Tow put the Maroons up 37-36, then back-to-back buckets from Kale Gaither made it 41-36. A free throw by Ashton Gaines made it a six-point game with 4:51 remaining.
Caldwell twice got back to within two at 42-40 and 44-42, but the Tigers could never draw even again.
Gaither scored 19 of his game-high 27 points in the second half to lead Madisonville. Gaines added 13 points.
Jabrion Spikes had 22 points and 15 rebounds for Caldwell. Whittington finished with 14 points and nine boards.
Madisonville has now taken 13 straight from the Tigers. The Maroons lead the all-time series 87-11.
Caldwell has dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season after Saturday’s 77-73 double-overtime setback to Webster County.
The Tigers are back in action Tuesday night when they visit Marshall County.
Madisonville will host Hopkinsville on Tuesday.
Caldwell will host the 7th District tournament in three weeks at the CAB gym.
Caldwell County 13 7 15 15—50
Madisonville-NH 11 8 14 25—58
Caldwell County (15-6, 4-1) — Jabrion Spikes 22, Carter Whittington 14, Zavy Bumphus 9, Demaurius Thompson 3, Blake Vivrette 2.
Madisonville-North Hopkins (15-7, 3-0) — Kale Gaither 27, Ashton Gaines 13, Danye Frazier 8, Zach Tow 5, Quintin Rodgers 2, Lajuan McAdoo 2, Destin Cheirs 1.
