The Hopkinsville Tigers will be looking to get back to the 2nd Region semifinals for the second year in a row as they host the Crittenden County Rockets in the quarterfinals of the boys’ 2nd Region Tournament at Tiger Gym.
Hopkinsville, at 21-6, comes into the game having won five in a row. The last of those five did not come easy, as the Tigers “survived” a double-overtime battle with Christian County in the 8th District title game.
Hopkinsville and Crittenden County did not meet in the regular season. The Rockets have not come within ten points of the Tigers since February 8, 2001, when Hopkinsville claimed a 75-70 win.
The Tigers have four players averaging in double figures. K.C. Cabiness is at the top of that last with 12.9 points per game. Right behind him is Daisjaun Mercer at 12.4. Bubba Leavell is not far behind those two, scoring at a 12.0 points per game clip. The last of the quartet of double-figures scorers for the Tigers is Antonio Williams at 10.0 points a game.
Olajuwon White is Hopkinsville’s top rebounder, averaging 8.4 boards a game. K.C. Cabiness is right there with him at 8.3. Isaiah Manning and Antonio Williams average 5.9 and 5.7. rebounds respectively.
Hopkinsville is among the best shooting teams around. The Tigers have made 54.2 percent of their shots this season, including 36.3 percent from behind the three-point line. Free throws are a bit of an issue for the Tigers, as they have hit just 59.8 percent from the line.
Crittenden County enters the game at 14-16, having lost six of their last 10 games.
The Rockets are led by Travis Champion at 19.6 points a game. Preston Morgeson is Crittenden County’s other double-figures scorer at 12.0 a game.
Rebounding has been an area of concern for the Rockets. Champion leads Crittenden County at 5.8 boards a game, while Holden Cooksey pulls down 5.2 rebounds.
Crittenden County has seen its share of issues shooting the ball. The Rockets come into the game shooting at a 41.6 percent clip, including 30.8 percent from outside the arc. Crittenden has hit 60.6 percent of their free throws this season.
Game time is set for 6:30 at Tiger Gym.
