After dropping back-to-back games to Lyon County and Evansville Christian, the Hopkinsville Tigers were looking to get back on the right foot as the final week of the regular season got underway with a district battle against crosstown rival Christian County. For the Tigers, getting back on track involved a heavy dose of Daiajaun Mercer.
Mercer wreaked havoc on both ends of the court all night long as the Tigers cruised to a 60-44 win over the Colonels in Tiger Gym. As if Mercer’s 29 points were not enough, his defensive play was at a whole other level. Mercer, who is among the top football defensive backs in the state, created all sorts of problems for Christian County getting in the passing lanes and either coming up with a steal or deflecting a pass.
Mercer had 14 points in the first half and 15 more in the second as the Christian County defenders could not find the way to keep Mercer from cutting down the lane to the basket and either getting off a layoff or dishing off to a teammate.
Hopkinsville took a 14-11 lead after the first quarter. The Colonels would battle back, scoring the next four points to take a 15-14 lead. Hoptown would close out the half with an impressive 13-4 run to take a 27-19 lead into the locker room at the break. The Tiger defense stepped up in the second quarter and held the Colonels to nine points.
Behind a big push from Derrell Bateman and Breland Morrison, the Colonels fought back to within 31-29 early in the second half. Daisjaun Mercer ignited a 9-0 run for the Tigers and suddenly the lead was extended to 40-29. Hopkinsville would enter the final quarter holding a 42-35 lead.
Any hopes of a comeback by the Colonels were quickly dashed at the beginning of the 4th quarter. With the lead at 42-36, Hopkinsville hit Christian County with an 8-2 spurt that effectively sealed the win. The “dagger” shots during that blitz were a pair of three-pointers knocked down by KeiMarion Smith.
Daisjaun Mercer’s 29 points topped the scoring column for the Tigers. K.C. Cabiness added 9 points, while Olajuwon White finished the game with eight.
Jordan Miles, Breland Morrison, and Derrell Bateman had 11 points each for Christian County.
Hopkinsville moves to 17-6 on the season. The Tigers are back in action Tuesday night when they host Caldwell County.
Christian County falls to 8-20. The Colonels return to the court Wednesday night in their regular season finale when they host University Heights.
CCHS — 11 8 16 9 – 44
HHS — 14 13 15 18 – 60
Christian County (8-20) – Miles 11, Morrison 11, Bateman 11, Northington 9, Trez Vaughn 2
Hopkinsville (17-6) – Mercer 29, Cabiness 9, White 8, Smith 6, Leavell 3, Williams 2, Manning 2, Johnson 1
