It was a season-opener worthy of two teams expected to be contenders in the 2nd Region. Ryan Bryant hit the first of two free throws with 3 seconds to go in the game and Landen Smith rebounded the missed second free throw and the Madisonville-North Hopkins Maroons killed off the final seconds and held off University Heights Academy 61-60 in Blazer Gym.
The Blazers had rallied from 60-53 down in the final minutes of the game with seven straight points, capped off with a Tylin George runner in the lane that tied the game at 60-60 with 10 seconds left in the game.
The Maroons called a timeout with 6.7 seconds left and then worked the ball to Bryant, who drew the foul that sent him to the line for the game-winning toss.
The Maroons got off to a good start in the contest behind 11 first quarter points from Landen Smith as they took a 21-14 lead.
Tylin George took over the game in the second quarter, scoring 19 points as the Blazers fought their way back into the game. George’s three-point shot late in the half brought UHA to within 38-37 at the break.
The Blazers, who were playing without starting point guard KeShawn Moore, had some ball security issues in the third quarter and the Maroons took advantage. Getting some big minutes from Kanyon Johnson and Davin Cheirs, Madisonville used a 12-2 run to go up 52-41. The Maroon lead would be 56-47 after three.
Coming down to the wire both teams had their chances to take control of the game but were not able to do so, setting the stage for the nail-biting finish.
Madisonville was led by Landen Smith with 16 points, 14 of them in the first half. Ryan Bryant finished with 14 points. Kanyon Johnson added 11 points and spent most of the night running the point for the Maroons.
UHA’s Tylin George led all scorers in the game with 35 points. Bryson Northington was the only other Blazer to hit double figures, ending the night with 11 points. The Madisonville defense limited Blazer senior Elijah Walton to six points for the game.
Madisonville-North Hopkins (1-0) take on Evangel Christian Thursday at the Marshall County Hoopfest.
University Heights (0-1) hosts South Warren Friday night.
