Drake Skeen was 6-for-6 at the free throw line in the final 38 seconds and finished with 20 points as Hopkins County Central held off Caldwell County 68-60 Tuesday night in the 7th District tournament.
Skeen was 9-for-9 at the stripe in the contest and the Storm went 13 for 15 at the line to advance to Friday’s 6 p.m. district championship game at Mortons Gap.
Hopkins Central, now 14-16, will take on 21-9 Madisonville-North Hopkins for the 7th District title.
The Maroons routed Dawson Springs 105-56 in Tuesday’s other semifinal matchup.
While top-seeded Madisonville rolled in its game, No. 2 Hopkins Central had to fend off a game Caldwell County team in its semifinal.
The Tigers (6-22) used an 18-0 run in the first half to turn a 14-10 deficit into a 28-14 lead.
Caldwell got to halftime with a 36-27 advantage.
But the momentum swung in the third quarter, with the Storm turning a nine-point deficit into a 10-point lead at 51-41.
Again, though, Caldwell came up with a run. An 11-0 burst pushed the Tigers back in front 54-53 on a 3-pointer by Zavy Bumphus with 5:36 to play.
However, Trevahn Jones answered with 3 at the other end on the Storm’s ensuing trip up the court.
Hopkins Central never trailed again after that, but Caldwell was still was close as 60-58 when Carter Whittington hit two free throws with 2:19 to go.
The Storm, though, was able to run over a minute and a half off the clock at the other end — then made its free throws late to hold on.
Jones had five 3-pointers as part of a 19-point performance for Hopkins Central. Namari Hall had 12 points.
Bumphus topped the Caldwell scoresheet with 20 points. Carter Whittington and Jaydarius Wilson each had 14 points. Wilson also grabbed six rebounds.
Hopkins Central has now taken its last four meetings with Caldwell.
Caldwell County 22 14 11 13 — 60
Hopkins Central 14 13 26 15 — 68
Caldwell County (6-22)—Bumphus 20, Ca. Whittington 14, Wilson 14, Thompson 8, Co. Whittington 4.
Hopkins County Central (14-16)—Skeen 20, Jones 19, Hall 12, Weldon 8, Butcher 7, Hoard 2.
