YSE File Photo
The Todd County Central Rebels’ defense of their 4th Region All A championship ended just a little bit early Thursday night. Monroe County used a strong third quarter to gain control of the game and then made their free throws down the stretch to get past the Rebels 64-54 in the semifinals of the regional tournament in Tompkinsville.
The game was close throughout the first half. Both teams struggled to get their offense going in the first quarter. That quarter ended with the Falcons holding a 9-8 lead.
The second quarter saw a bit more offense, but not much. Monroe County would take a 21-18 lead into the locker room at the half. The Rebels did not make a 2-point field goal in the quarter. They did knock down three shots from behind the arc, two from Trayvon Foster and one from Hayden Strader.
The third quarter is where things got away from the Rebels. Led by their 3-point shooting, Monroe County outscored Todd Central 20-11 in the quarter to run the lead out to 41-29. The Falcons connected for five threes in the quarter.
The Rebels tried furiously to mount a comeback in the final eight minutes, hitting five three-pointers in the final quarter. But, Monroe County was able to fend off any rally from the defending regional champions. The Falcons knocked down 13 of 20 at the free throw line to hold on for the 10 point win.
Preston Rager led Todd Central with 13 points, ten of them in the fourth quarter. Trayvon Foster was the only other Rebel to reach double-figures with 10 points. The Falcons limited Todd Central big man Jamison Glass to just 7 points in the game.
Monroe County was led by John Owen Harlin with 17 points. Austen Arnett added 13. Branson Williams finished with 12 for the Falcons.
The Rebels drop to 12-8 with the loss. They are set to return to action Monday night when they host Edmonson County.
TCCHS – 8 10 11 25 — 54
MCHS – 9 12 20 23 — 64
Todd Central – Rager 13, Foster 10, Whitlock 9, Glass 7, Schutt 6, Strader 5, Smith 4
Monroe County – Harlin 17, Arnett 13, Williams 12, Nuckols 10, Emmert 7, Biggerstaff 3, Petett 2
