The one-two punch of Jaydarius Wilson and Demaurius Thompson helped Caldwell County overcome a strong game by Heritage Christian Academy’s Jason Leek on Thursday.
Wilson had 23 points and 12 rebounds while Thompson had 20 points as Caldwell pulled away in the second half for a 68-49 win on opening day of the 2023 West Kentucky Hoops Classic in Princeton.
Leek did his part to keep HCA in the game with 25 points. That includes a shot from behind the midcourt stripe at the halftime buzzer to tie the contest at 31-31.
That came after Caldwell had led 26-16 earlier in the second period.
But the Tigers never surrendered the lead, getting a 3-pointer from Collin Whittington to open the second half and going up by as much as 11 points, 45-34, before taking a 48-40 edge to the final frame.
A Thompson bucket to start the fourth quarter pushed the margin back to double figures, and HCA could get no closer the rest of the contest.
The Tigers led by as much as 21, 66-45, late in the game.
Collin Whittington added eight points for Caldwell while Carter Whittington had seven.
Wilson and Leek were named Hoops Classic Players of the Game.
The Tigers (4-4) ended a three-game skid with the win.
The Warriors (4-4) saw a three-game win streak snapped.
Caldwell and Heritage Christian had met just once previously — and that was in last year’s West Kentucky Hoops Classic. Caldwell won that game 63-50.
Thursday’s tilt was HCA’s only game in this year’s Hoops Classic.
Caldwell will play again Friday, taking on South Panola from Batesville, Miss., in the final game of the event at 8 p.m.
Heritage Christian 12 19 9 9 — 49
Caldwell County 15 16 17 20 — 68
Heritage Christian Academy (4-4)—Leek 25, Higgins 12, Boyd 4, Giltner 3, Kirkman 3, Thompson 2.
Caldwell County (4-4)—Wilson 23, Thompson 20, Co. Whittington 8, Ca. Whittington 7, Parker 2, Maddox 1.
