Junior Davonyae Butcher poured in 28 of his game-high 36 points after halftime, and Hopkins County Central overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to upend McLean County 83-79 in overtime Thursday night in Mortons Gap.
The visiting Cougars appeared to have a handle on things when they went up 58-47 early in the fourth quarter.
However, a 3-pointer at the other end by Butcher started a 13-0 run that got the Storm (1-1) back in the thick of things.
The teams battled back and forth down the stretch, but Butcher seemed to have delivered the game-winner for Hopkins Central when his 3-pointer with 14 seconds to play put Hopkins Central up 70-68.
McLean (0-1) found Zane Decker open under the basket at the other end, and his layup beat the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
But overtime belonged to Butcher, who hit a 3 early to put Hopkins Central on top, then three times late knocked down two free throws to hold the Cougars at bay.
With the game tied 77-77, Butcher made two charity tosses with 1:09 to play.
After a missed 3-pointer at the other end, Nyia Peyton buried two more free throws to give the Storm an 81-77 lead.
McLean got back to within two when Braxton Floyd connected twice at the stripe with 12 seconds left in OT.
But Butcher finally closed the door on the Cougars when he hit two more free throws with 10 seconds to play.
Butcher finished the night 11 of 17 from the floor, inluding 7 of 9 from 3-point range. Peyton added 13 points and Cohl Hoard had 11 points. Lake Sumner had nine points and seven assists.
Hopkins Central was 13 of 18 from long range in the contest.
Jaelin Groves talled 23 points for McLean, which had five players score in double figures. Camden Baird had 15, Jax Lee 11 and Decker and Floyd 10 apiece.
McLean led 21-14 after one quarter before Hopkins Central came back to take a 35-33 edge to halftime. The Cougars led 56-47 after three quarters.
The Storm will next host Webster County on Tuesday.
McLean County 21 12 23 14 9 — 79
Hopkins Central 14 21 12 23 13 — 83
McLean County (0-1)—Groves 23, Baird 15, Lee 11, Decker 10, Floyd 10, L. Bozarth 6, Davis 4.
Hopkins County Central (1-1)—Butcher 36, Peyton 13, Hoard 11, L. Sumner 9, Hopson 7, B. Sumner 3, Jagoe 2, Stone 2.
