There are great games and then there are ‘great’ games. The kind of game that leaves you wanting more, much more. A game where the five letters of the word ‘great’ just seem to be far too little to describe what you saw.
The kind of game where fans leaving the gym are already talking about it and comparing it to other games they have seen. A game where at the end of it, you hate to see either team have to walk off the court with a loss.
A game with big plays, big performances, and plenty of ‘what if’ moments.
That is what took place Saturday night at Lyon County High School in the final game of the 2024 Akridge Ace Hardware Shootout between the Bowling Green Purples and the Lyon County Lyons. Brady Shoulders putback inside the final 30 seconds of the second overtime turned out to be the winner as Lyon County won arguably the game of the year in the western half of the state, turning back the Bowling Green Purples in double overtime 90-89.
Travis Perry scored 46 points in a highlight reel performance and the Lyons would need every single one of those points to pull out a scintillating win.
Shoulders’ go-ahead basket was part of a finish that had the entire gym on its feet for the final moments of the game, in an atmosphere that was electric and sent chills up and down your spine.
Shoulders basket came after Deuce Bailey had put the Purples up 89-88 with a deep three from the right-hand side. Bailey’s big shot had followed a Travis Perry three that put Lyon County in front with 1:20 to go in the second extra period.
The second overtime alone saw six lead changes, including the one that gave Lyon County the win.
The evening started off like the Lyons might chase the Purples halfway back to Bowling Green. Travis Perry came out and looked as if he might threatening his single-game career high. The UK signee scored 13 points in the opening quarter as the Lyons took a 23-15 lead. He did not cool off in the second either. Perry rang up 16 more in the second quarter as Lyon County went to the break up 40-27 and with the Lyon faithful roaring their approval.
However, the Purples did not get to be a state contender by wilting under a little pressure. Bowling Green head coach D.G. Sherrill made a defensive adjustment on Perry coming out of the break and, while it did not stop him, it at least slowed him down long enough for the Purples to get back in the game.
The Lyon County lead grew to as many as 15 points in the third quarter and then Bowling Green made its move. With M.J. Wardlow leading the way, the Purples also got some help from Deuce Bailey on the outside and big man Mason Ritter on the inside as they put the pedal down.
Lyon County was leading 50-38 when Bowling Green closed out the third quarter on a 15-6 run to mow the lead down to 56-53 heading into the last eight minutes of regulation.
Bowling Green carried the momentum over into the fourth quarter, taking a 65-61 lead. This time it was the Lyons who fought back to draw even in the waning moments of the quarter, the last time at 69-69 on a pair of Travis Perry free throws. Bowling Green went for one last shot, killing off the final 44 seconds of regulation, but the Purples did not get the shot to fall and it was off to overtime we go.
After being tied twice early in the first overtime, the Purples pushed out to a 77-73 lead. The lead was still four at 79-75 when Jack Reddick banked in a three to cut the lead to 79-78. Brandon Banks made one of two free throws for the Purples to go up 80-78. Travis Perry would tie the game at 80-80, and once again Bowling Green would go for the last shot. This time, the Purples had two dead on looks in the lane, but neither would go, sending the game to overtime, and setting the stage for a fantastic finish.
In addition to Travis Perry’s 46 points, Jack Reddick scored 20 in his first action since the All A Classic. Brady Shoulders finished with 19 and battled inside against big Mason Ritter most of the game.
Bowling Green got a stellar performance from M.J. Wardlow, who finished with 30 points, 22 of them in the second half and overtimes. Deuce Bailey, who nearly put daggers in the Lyons in the second overtime added 24. Mason Ritter scored 18, a big chunk of those on authoritative slams down low. Ritter was also a big force on the glass for the Purples.
With the win, Lyon County improves to 23-3 on the season. The Lyons are now off until Friday when they are set to go on the road to Madisonville.
BGHS — 15 12 26 16 11 9 – 89
LCHS — 23 17 16 13 11 10 – 90
Bowling Green – M.J. Wardlow 30, Bailey 24, Ritter 18, J. Wardlow 7, Banks 7, Carpenter 3
Lyon County – Perry 46, Reddick 20, Shoulders 19, Defew 3, Breedlove 2
