For a brief stretch of the first quarter, it looked as if maybe, just maybe, the Fort Campbell Falcons might give the Christian County Colonels a run for their money. Then the Colonels decided to extract payment from the Falcons and senior Derrell Bateman was the collection agent.
A 10-0 run midway through the opening quarter was enough to get the Colonels rolling as they ‘cashed’ in and picked up a 72-32 8th District win over the Falcons. The win was the third in a row for Christian County.
Fort Campbell had the ball just prior to the run, trailing only 8-7, and a chance to take an early lead in the game. The Falcons did not get a shot on that possession and before you could blink, the score was 18-7 and the Falcon hopes for pulling off a stunner were fading rapidly. The Colonels would run the lead out to 26-9 by the end of the quarter.
Once the Colonel offense got rolling, it was pedal to the metal for Christian County. The Colonels’ lead would balloon out to 47-18 at the half. Derrell Bateman put on a showcase performance in the first 16 minutes of the game, throwing down five dunks and scoring 23 points.
With Bateman and Jordan Miles providing the spark coming out of the half, Christian County got the lead to 35 points with just under six minutes to go in the third quarter. Coach Tobey Miles then pulled his starters with 4:58 to go in the third as the Colonel reserves would finish out the game.
The third quarter came to an end with Christian County holding a 61-25 lead. From there it was just a matter of setting the final score.
Derrell Bateman paced the Colonels with 31 points and six thunderous dunks. Jordan Miles added 10 points, while Prince Northington scored 9.
Lashaud Smiley was the leading scorer for the Falcons with 9 points. Maurice Moore and Tyreek Anthony finished with 5 points each for Fort Campbell.
With the win, Christian County moves to 10-14 for the year. The Colonels now get ready for a big game Saturday at Lyon County, as they take on former Hopkinsville coach Larry Miller and his Evangel team at 6pm in the Akridge Ace Hardware Shootout.
Fort Campbell falls to 5-12 and gets back on the road Friday night taking on Montgomery Central.
FCHS — 9 9 7 7 – 32
CCHS — 26 21 14 11 – 72
Fort Campbell – Smiley 9, Moore 5, Anthony 5, Carolina 3, Smith 3, Greene 2, Herrera 2, Wilson 2, Tow 1
Christian County – Bateman 31, Miles 10, Northington 9, Riley 4, Finch 4, Stevenson 4, Quarles 4, Harris 3, Jackson 2, Rowe 1
