The one-two punch of Rex Blue and Montgomery Johnston helped Dawson Springs turn away Heritage Christian Academy 68-58 Saturday night at Panther Gym.
Blue had 23 points and nine rebounds while Johnston totaled 21 points and eight boards as the Panthers improved to 2-1 for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
Blue and Johnston helped the Panthers overcome a 25-point night by Warriors junior Jason Leek.
But HCA (1-2) led only 2-0 before a 12-5 run put Dawson in front to stay.
The Panthers opened up a double-digit lead in the second period and got to halftime with a 35-25 edge.
HCA crept to within 39-33 midway through the third quarter. But Dawson responded with an 11-0 blitz that pushed the margin to 50-33 on Jaydon Plunkette’s 3-pointer from the corner.
Leek countered with a 3 for Heritage Christian to make it 50-36 through three quarters.
The Warriors chipped away at the margin until they got as close as 61-55 with just over a minute to play.
However, Dawson made seven of eight free throws in the final 55 seconds to hold on.
Jaydon Plunkette added 12 points for the Panthers.
Cash Bolinger had 11 for the Warriors.
Dawson outrebounded HCA 35-29.
Heritage Christian will next go to Hopkins County Central on Monday.
Dawson Springs will travel to Owensboro on Tuesday to play Apollo.
Heritage Christian 8 17 11 22 — 58
Dawson Springs 15 20 15 18 — 68
Heritage Christian Academy (1-2)—Leek 25, Bolinger 11, Boyd 7, Simpson 6, Giltner 4, Wells 3, Higgins 2.
Dawson Springs (2-1)—Blue 23, Johnston 21, Plunkette 12, Dever 4, Borland 4, Fain 2, Walls 2.
