Dawson Springs would not go away. But Caldwell County simply would not fold.
Dawson Springs erased a 10-point second-half deficit and took a 48-47 lead on a 3-pointer by Montgomery Johnston with 3:38 to play.
But Caldwell countered with a 3 from Demaurius Thompson just 17 seconds later to go back in front 50-48.
Johnston tied the game at 50-50 for Dawson.
But Luke Parker buried a 3 at the other end to put the Tigers up 53-50 and start a 7-0 spurt that gave Caldwell some breathing room.
Johnston swished another 3 to keep the Panthers within 57-53 with 57 seconds to play.
But Caldwell went 5-for-6 at the free throw line the rest of the way to finish off a 62-56 triumph in Tuesday’s 7th District semifinal matchup in Madisonville.
The Tigers (19-12) will face the host Maroons (16-15) for the district championship Friday night. Madisonville defeated Hopkins County Central 74-46 in Tuesday’s first semifinal contest.
Jaydarius Wilson had 22 points to lead Caldwell while three other Tigers joined him in double figures. Thompson had three 3-pointers as part of his 12-point night. Carter Whittington and Collin Whittington each had 10 points.
Carter Whittington scored off a steal and wild scramble around the Caldwell basket with 2:03 to play to put the Tigers up 55-50.
He hit two big free throws at the 0:52 mark to make it 59-53.
For Dawson, Johnston had a huge second half to keep the Panthers in the thick of things. Johnston scored 26 of his game-high 28 points after the break, including 16 in the fourth quarter. He had six 3-pointers in the second half.
Jaydon Plunkette added 14 points for Dawson, which ends the season 18-13.
The Panthers (18-13) led 11-7 after one quarter before the Tigers got to halftime with a 21-17 edge.
Johnston tied the game at 28-28, but a three-point play by Carter Whittington started a 10-0 run that gave Caldwell its biggest lead of the night at 38-28.
The Tigers took a 41-34 lead to the final frame before Dawson rallied for its only lead of the second half at 48-47.
It was Caldwell’s 100th win over Dawson Springs going back to 1954. The Tigers have won 16 of the last 17 matchups and hold a 100-44 advantage in the all-time series.
Caldwell and Madisonville have both earned spots in the 2nd Region tournament field next week at Hopkinsville High School.
Dawson Springs 11 6 17 22 — 56
Caldwell County 7 14 20 21 — 62
Dawson Springs (18-13)—Johnston 28, Plunkette 14, Fain 7, Blue 4, Dever 3.
Caldwell County (19-12)—J. Wilson 22, Thompson 12, Ca. Whittington 10, Co. Whittington 10, Hammett 5, Parker 3.
