Kanyon Johnson’s drive down the lane with 7.1 seconds to play lifted Madisonville-North Hopkins to a 74-72 triumph over 7th District rival Hopkins County Central Thursday night.
The Storm’s Lake Sumner twice tied the game late in front of a large and vocal crowd at Maroon Gym in Madisonville.
But each time the Maroons had an answer.
Sumner’s drive to the bucket tied it at 70-70, but Johnson found Landen Smith open inside at the other end to put Madisonville back in front.
Sumner converted an off-balance shot on a drive with 47 seconds to play to knot the game at 72-72.
Madisonville ran down the clock, then got Johnson’s bucket in the closing seconds to go back in front. Johnson was fouled on the play, but could not complete the three-point trip.
Hopkins Central’s final possession included a scramble after the Maroons knocked the ball loose.
However, it ended up with Sumner, who got a look at a long 3-pointer at the buzzer but couldn’t connect as Madisonville held on for the win.
It was a game that saw the Maroons seemingly hold the upper hand throughout the first half, building a double-digit lead.
However, the Storm went to halftime with some momentum when Blaze Sumner’s 3 beat the horn and cut the gap to 41-35 at the break.
Hopkins Central battled all the way back to take the lead late in the third quarter before a quick 9-0 run got Madisonville back in front.
The Maroons (5-0 overall, 1-0 district) led 66-59 following Johnson’s follow slam midway through the final frame before the Storm again rallied to tie the contest late.
Ryan Bryant topped the scoresheet for Madisonville with 22 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Smith had 17, with 11 of those in the opening frame. Johnson finished with 13 points and Vonte Wilkes had 10.
Sumner and Davonyae Butcher each had 19 points to pace the Storm, with Sumner scoring 10 in the fourth period. Cohl Hoard added 10.
Hopkins Central (2-2, 0-1) plays again on Friday when it hosts Trigg County as part of a girls and boys doubleheader.
Madisonville’s guys will next face Millington Central (Tennessee) Saturday afternoon in the Ken-Tenn Classic at Murray.
Hopkins Central 17 18 16 21 — 72
Madisonville-NH 24 17 15 18 — 74
Hopkins County Central (2-2, 0-1)—Butcher 19, L. Sumner 19, Hoard 10, Gunn 6, B. Sumner 6, Jagoe 6, Peyton 4, Stone 2.
Madisonville-North Hopkins (5-0, 1-0)—Bryant 22, L. Smith 17, Johnson 13, Wilkes 10, Cheirs 8, T. Smith 2, Nichols 2.
