We have seen it happen over and over during the course of the 2023-2024 basketball season, so it should not surprise any of us when it happens, yet sometimes the Lyon County Lyons are so devastatingly efficient with their big runs during a game that it just leaves you a bit in awe. So it only seems appropriate that the regular season ended with a game where a big run from the Lyons knocked out an opponent and sent the Lyons to their 27th win of the season.
Sparked by a big third quarter from Travis Perry, Lyon County exploded for a 20-4 run over the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter, turning a two-point game into an 87-59 blowout win over 1st Region contender Calloway County.
In addition to big nights from The Three Amigos of Perry, Brady Shoulders, and Jack Reddick, the second-half perimeter defense for Lyon County was a huge factor in the Lyons being able to pull away from the Lakers. After giving up seven threes to Calloway County in the opening half, the Lyon defense limited the Lakers to just two from Jonah Butler in the second half as the Lyons ripped the game open.
Early on, it did not look as if the game would end with a comfortable win for the Lyons. Calloway County came out playing physical on defense and knocking down long-range shots on the offensive end. The Lakers hit three from behind the arc in the first quarter, their first three baskets of the night in fact, as they stood toe-to-toe with the Lyons over the first 8 minutes.
The first quarter ended with the teams tied at 18-18. Conner Lockhart and Jonah Butler helped keep the Lakers close early in the game.
The combination of a cool second quarter for Travis Perry and continued hot shooting from the Lakers allowed Calloway County to pull out to a five-point lead at 33-28 late in the first half, prompting a Lyon County time-out and sending a large Calloway County fan contingent into a frenzy.
However, the Lyons gave a good indication of what was to come in the second half by closing out the second quarter with an 8-1 spurt that put Lyon County up 36-34 at the break. The Lyons took the lead on a Carson Collins putback just ahead of the halftime horn. As the shot went in, you could feel old Uncle Mo moving from the Lakers’ side of the court to that of the home team. And, sure enough, the Lyons took that momentum switch and took the game.
With the lead at 43-41 in the third, the Lyons finished the quarter by outscoring Calloway County 18 to 2 to claim a 61-43 lead heading into the final quarter.
The 4th quarter would end up being just a matter of what the final margin would be as the Lyons roared out to the 28-point win.
The Three Amigos led the way for the Lyons, paced by Brady Shoulders with 27 points. With his 5th point of the night, Shoulders moved into 5th place on the all-time scoring list at Lyon County, joining teammate Travis Perry, Ty Rogers, Coach Keith Matchen, and his brother Jackson Shoulders.
Travis Perry added 25 points, 17 of them in the second half. Jack Reddick finished the night with 17 points.
The Lakers were led by Eli Finley with 19 points. Jonah Butler chipped in with 18. Conner Lockhart ended up with 14 but scored none in the second half of play.
With the win, Lyon County finishes the regular season at 27-3. They will begin their quest for a third straight 2nd Region championship in the 5th District tournament Tuesday night against Crittenden County.
CCHS — 18 16 11 14 – 59
LCHS — 18 18 25 26 – 87
Calloway County – Finley 19, Butler 18, Conner Lockhart 14, Armstrong 3, Lane 3, Bazzell 2
Lyon County – Shoulders 27, Perry 25, Reddick 17, Kirk 6, Breedlove 4, Defew 4, Car.Collins 2, Burchett 2
