Ashland Players “chomping at the bit” to Play Lyon County

Lyon County's transition offense led by Mr. Basketball Travis Perry will test Ashland Wednesday. (Les Nicholson Photo)

Ashland coach Ryan Bonner knows slowing down Lyon County and Mr. Basketball Travis Perry is easier said than done.

“It might require me putting six players on the floor,” the Ashland coach joked.

He will find out Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in Rupp Arena when the two teams play in the state tournament.

“They are an elite team, especially in transition,” Bonner said. “We have played the best teams across the state. This is nothing new to us.

“They have pieces around him (Perry). What they do offensively is not different but what they do on defense is different with their various zone pressures. They are averaging around 40 rebounds per game, No. 1 in the state. They do a good job capitalizing on your mistakes. You have to get back and locate guys immediately.

“We have to be smart with the basketball. They are very good. They know how to play physical and fast. They are well coached and have played together a long time. We know the atmosphere for that game will be awesome. Our guys are chomping at the bit for the opportunity.”

Ashland won the 16th Region for the sixth straight time. Lyon won the Third Region for the third straight year. While Lyon is the same type of team as last year, Ashland is not.

“The last five seasons we have been a very flashy, up tempo team, lots of high caliber shooting,” Bonner said. “This year it has not been pretty at times but we hung our hat on our half-court defense.”

Ashland lost to Boyd County three times, including the district final, but beat Boyd in the regional final.

“We really doubled down on defense. Once we bought into that we became an elite defensive team at the right time. We have players that just know how to win,” Bonner said. “We have four football players in our starting lineup which made us very physical and very tough.”

Senior Zander Carter averages 22.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He’s hitting 53.5 percent overall from the field. Bonner said he has worked in the weight room and is a “lot bouncier and gets off the floor quick.” He has also developed defensively and Bonner ways he can guard the other team’s best player and still score 25 for Ashland.

“He played 64 minutes in the final two games of the region and turned the ball over one time,” Bonner said. “He just does a lot of different things for us.”