If you had predicted that the Todd County Central Rebels would have only five points at halftime from their top two scorers on the season in their 4th Region All A Classic opener against Metcalfe County, most would have assumed that the Rebels were in deep trouble. Thanks to big, big nights from Hayden Strader and Preston Rager, that turned out not to be the case.
Strader hit for 27 points while Rager added 21 as the Rebels fought off the Hornets 78-71 as they began the defense of their All A region championship.
Behind the play of Strader and Rager, the Rebels scored the first seven points of the game and would never trail or be tied the rest of the game. They could also never quite get the Hornets put away. Metcalfe County would get as close as one in the first half and five in the second half, but that would be it.
The Rebels would lead 14-10 after one and then extend that lead to 31-22 at the break. Strader and Rager combined to score 24 of the Rebels’ first-half points.
Todd County Central would lead by as many as 13 points in the third quarter. But, just about the time you thought the Rebels were about ready to blow the game open, Metcalfe County fought back. Wyatt Blythe and Cade Button battled to keep the Hornets in the game. The margin would be at 49-43 as the third quarter ended.
But there would be no Hornet rally in the final eight minutes. Preston Rager and Hayden Strader continued their stellar nights in the final quarter. Additionally, Jamison Glass, who had struggled through the night due to illness, made key plays when the Rebels needed them the most to help secure the win. Metcalfe County could get no closer than five points in the final quarter as the Rebels advanced again to the semifinals of the regional.
In addition to Strader’s 27 points and Rager’s 21, Jamison Glass and Perez Whitlock added 11 points each. Whitlock hit 5 of 6 free throws in the second half of play.
Four Hornets reached double figures led by Wyatt Blythe with 19 points. Jax Allen added 16 points. Cade Button had 13 points and Logan Phelps had 12.
Todd County Central improves to 12-7 with the win. The Rebels advance on to the All A region semifinals where they will take on Monroe County, who advanced with a 74-73 double overtime win against Clinton County.
MCHS – 10 12 21 28 — 71
TCCHS – 14 17 18 29 — 78
Metcalfe County – Blythe 19, Allen 16, Button 13, Phelps 12, Pendleton 6, Jessie 5,
Todd Central – Strader 27, Rager 21, Glass 11, Whitlock 11, Foster 3, Smith 3, Schutt 2
