Make no mistake. Ryan Perry is happy to be in the UK Healthcare Sweet 16 this week, but the Lyon County coach also told his team to pack for multiple days.
Lyon County plays its first state basketball tournament game in 71 years Thursday afternoon against John Hardin at Rupp Arena.
The Lyons will take a 28-6 record into the tournament — their second state tournament of the season that includes a one-game trip to the All A Classic State Tournament in Richmond.
This week, the Lyons practiced at Austin Peay State University to prepare them for the larger college floor they will encounter at Rupp Arena. Perry said his team is ready to go.
The Lyon have won 15 of 16 games since dropping the All A Classic opener to Breathitt County — losing a double-digit fourth-quarter lead. Perry said the experience was both an eye-opener and a motivator for his team.
Lyon County was a perfect 23-0 against 2nd Region competition and faced the large school gauntlet of Christian County, Madisonville, and Hopkinsville in the region tournament to get to Rupp.
Lyon County’s opponent, John Hardin, is making its first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2019 when the Bulldogs came to Rupp with a perfect 35-0 mark only to lose to Campbell County by one point in the opener.
John Hardin has four players who average double figures in scoring led by senior guards Jalen Tyus and Amareion Doctor — both of who average 16 points a game. The Bulldogs average 69 points a game and shoot 46-percent from the field and 34-percent behind the arc.
Lyon County will be trying to become the first 5th District team since Trigg County in 1970 to win its Sweet 16 opener and the first to do it at Rupp Arena.
