Caldwell County’s seniors each got a standing ovation as they left Friday night’s 85-51 win over Livingston Central.
But the loudest cheers of the night were reserved for a seventh grader.
Junior Thompson got his first varsity start so that he and older brother Demaurius, a senior, could take the court together. The younger Thompson had just been added to Caldwell’s official KHSAA roster so that he could play in the contest.
The Thompson brothers finished the night with eight 3-pointers and 28 points.
Demaurius had five 3s while scoring all of his points on Senior Night during the first three quarters. Little Bro got into the act in the fourth quarter, burying three 3-pointers as the CAB gym crowd erupted.
Senior Carter Whittington had 11 points in his final game on his home floor while classmate Ryan Hammett hit two 3s for six points.
Caldwell also got 14 points and seven rebounds from Jaydarius Wilson — who was recognized before the game for grabbing his 500th career rebound Thursday at Paducah Tilghman — and another 12 points from Collin Whittington in finishing off an 18-12 regular season.
But the Tigers actually got off to a slow start in the contest.
Livingston (9-19) ran out to a 12-2 lead and still led 17-7 late in the first quarter.
Caldwell turned the game around with a 16-0 run as its defense began to take effect.
Wilson had a three-point play to give the Tigers their first lead at 18-17 in the second quarter on the way to a 23-17 advantage.
Caldwell took a 41-30 lead to halftime, outscoring Livingston 30-13 in the second quarter.
The home team then blew the game open with another 30-point effort in the third quarter.
The Tigers took a 71-42 lead to the final frame.
The Tigers have won the last three meetings with Livingston and nine of the last 10.
Livingston was led by Mason Hargrove’s 11 points. Logan Wring and Reese Davidson each had eight points.
Caldwell leads the all-time series with the Cardinals 76-52.
Next up for the Tigers is the 7th District tournament Tuesday night in Madisonville. Caldwell will face Dawson Springs at 7:30 that night in the semifinals. The Panthers are also 18-12 after beating Union County
Livingston will play Trigg County in the 5th District semifinals Tuesday at 7:30 at Lyon County.
Livingston Central 17 13 12 9 — 51
Caldwell County 11 30 30 14 — 85
Livingston Central (9-19)—Hargrove 11, Wring 8, Davidson 8, Stone 7, Thomason 6, Meyers 5, Hosick 4, Zain 2.
Caldwell County (18-12)—D. Thompson 19, J. Wilson 14, Co. Whittington 12, Ca. Whittington 11, J. Thompson 9, Rowland 6, Hammett 6, Lander 5, Fox 2, Phelps 1.
