YSE File Photo
Playing their 4th game in as many days against some of the state’s top teams, for the second time during the holiday period, one could forgive the Lyon County Lyons if they were a little leg-weary Friday night. And then, to top it off, their game against Mason County in the 3rd place contest of the White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic would end up going to double overtime, after the Lyons had to fight back from a big first-half deficit.
Somehow, the Lyons found a way to push through and pick up a 92-85 win over the Royals, who had beaten the Lyons earlier in the season at Jackson County. With the win, the Lyons took 3rd place in this year’s tournament.
The Lyons got big baskets from Jack Reddick and Lukas Breedlove to tie the game late and then to take the lead in the overtime periods. Breedlove also came up with a big block and a big steal in the extra time. Lyon also got clutch free throw shooting in the second overtime from Travis Perry and Bardy Shoulders to secure the win.
Mason County jumped on the Lyons early, but it was not fatigue that was the problem for Lyon County, but rather the heat. The heat, that is, of the shooting from the Royals, who nearly turned the nets into burning embers from their red-hot offense. They would end up shooting nearly 64 percent in the first half, after a blistering first quarter.
Mason County tilted the scoreboard with 31 first-quarter points as the Royals led 31-20 after the opening quarter. The Lyons would trail by as many as 16 points in the second quarter before battling back. They would get as close as three late in the second before Mason County inched it back out to a six-point lead at the half at 50-44.
The Lyons continued to trim the lead as the second half got underway, and would find themselves with chances to take their first lead of the game, but could just not get to the lead. Mason County held a very tenuous 63-60 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The two teams battled back and forth through the final period of regulation. Inside the final minute, the Lyons found themselves down by three at 76-73. Jack Reddick then launched a deep, deep three with 40 seconds left that found the net and tied the game at 76-76. Reddick appeared to be at least 10 feet beyond the line when he cut the shot loose, and it found nothing but the bottom of the net.
Mason County would get a chance to win the game in regulation but could not do so.
As the first overtime got underway, Lyon County took its first lead of the game when Lukas Breedlove scored the Lyons’ only points of the first overtime to put Lyon County up 78-76. Mason County tied the score at 78-78 and neither team would score again in the first extra period.
Breedlove also gave the Lyons the lead to start the second extra period by knocking down a pair of free throws to put Lyon County up 80-78. Breedlove would then score off an assist from Travis Perry to extend the lead to 82-78. Brady Shoulders would then hit a pair of free throws to move the lead on out to 84-78. Shoulders had struggled at the line through the game but knocked down two big ones when the Lyons needed them the most.
Lyon County then came up with some big defensive plays and hit some key free throws to turn back any attempt by Mason County to rally as the Lyons picked up the seven-point win.
Travis Perry led the way for the Lyons with 31 points. Perry hit 8 of 8 free throws in the 4th quarter and overtime periods. He just missed a triple-double, adding 12 assists and 9 rebounds to his totals. Brady Shoulders added 23 points and 13 rebounds. Jack Reddick also hit double-figures with 18. Lukas Breedlove just missed being the fourth player in double-figures with nine points.
Mason County’s Riley Mastin scored 21 points. Carter McClanahan finished with 17.
Both teams shot the ball well, with Mason County hitting over 56 percent and Lyon County over 54 percent.
With the win, the Lyons move to 12-4 on the year. The Lyons are scheduled to return to action Monday at Hopkinsville.
LCHS – 20 24 16 16 2 14 — 92
MCHS – 31 19 13 13 2 7 — 85
Lyon County – Perry 31, Shoulders 23, Reddick 18, Breedlove 9, Kirk 6, Co.Collins 3, Ca.Collins 2
Mason County – Mastin 21, McClanahan 17, Henry 15, Bierly 15, Walton 10, Hamilton 7
