They are separated by 280 miles and will be coming together next week on what could be an historic day for Kentucky high school basketball. The Lyon County Lyons and the Newport Wildcats will hook up in a first round game of the UK HealthCare Boys Basketball Sweet 16 next Thursday afternoon at Rupp Arena.
The Lyons are making their second consecutive trip to the Sweet 16 while the Wildcats are making their first trip since 2010. That season they also played the 2nd Region champion, falling to Christian County 70-51.
Newport, the 9th Region champion, is on a 12-game winning streak, including five in the postseason. The Wildcats picked up district tournament wins over Bellevue and Highlands, and then regional tourney wins over Beechwood, Lloyd Memorial, and Cooper.
Lyon County has been on a roll since losing in the opening round of the 2nd Region All A Classic. The Lyons have won 16 straight. In the 5th District tournament, they picked up wins over Livingston Central and Trigg County. In the regional tournament, Lyon County advanced with wins over Hopkins Central, Christian County, and Hopkinsville.
As for the history of the afternoon, Lyon County junior Travis Perry will enter the game needing just 20 points to tie and 21 points to break the all-time scoring record for Kentucky boys high school basketball, currently held by ‘King’ Kelly Coleman.
Note, Perry has not scored less than 20 points in a game during the 2022-2023 season.
Lyon County enters the state tournament at 30-5, while Newport comes in at 28-6.
