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The Lyon County Lyons knew going in Monday night that the size of Great Crossing would pose some issues for them. What they did not count on was one of their coldest nights from the field in some time happening at the same time.
The Lyons hit on just 37.1-percent of their shots, including a frosty 30 percent in the first half as Great Crossing picked up a 69-61 win to advance to the championship game of the 2022 Chad Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass at Fairdale High School.
The Warhawks’ size across the front caused problems for the Lyons from the very beginning of the contest. Great Crossing’s front line goes 6-4, 6-7, and 6-11, something you don’t often see in the 2nd Region. The rebounding numbers bore that out, as the Warhawks outrebounded the Lyons 43-25. Great Crossing also had seven blocked shots on the night.
Lyon County scored first to take a 3-0 lead, but Great Crossing responded with a 10-0 run to go up 10-3. That would end up being the story of the night. The Warhawks build a double-digit lead. The Lyons cut into the lead. Rinse and repeat. The Lyons exhibited the heart that was on full display in the state tournament last spring in their loss to Covington Catholic. They just never could get back to the front as the Warhawks were able to hold on.
Great Crossing led 20-12 after the first eight minutes. The eight-point margin was still intact at the half as the Warhawks were up 31-23.
The Warhawks were able to extend their lead as the second half got underway. When the third quarter ended, Lyon County found itself trailing 54-38.
The Lyons gamely tried to fight back in the final eight minutes but the combination of ‘cool’ shooting, even though it was better than in the first half, and the deficit was too much to overcome as Great Crossing held on for the eight-point win.
Travis Perry was Lyon County’s leading scorer with 25 points. Jack Reddick was the only other Lyon to reach double figures with 20. Brady Shoulders was held to nine points for the night.
Vince Dawson III led four Warhawks in double-figures with 16 points. Gage Richardson had 14. The big man for Great Crossing, 6-11 center Malachi Moreno had 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. Point guard Junius Burrell finished with 11 points and 8 assists.
Lyon County drops to 9-2 with the loss. The Lyons will play in the third-place game of the tournament Tuesday evening at 6 pm eastern.
One Response
Impressed by Travis Perry last night. Does not force shots and always looking to pass to an open man. Just wait ’till he gets to college where he won’t have 5 guys trying to guard him !
Just an enjoyment to watch him play.