The Todd County Central Rebels were oh so close to getting their first win of the season Saturday. Monroe County survived a hot-shooting day from behind the three-point line for the Rebels and held on to take a 56-48 win Saturday afternoon in Elkton.
Both teams were dialed in from distance early. The Rebels and the Falcons knocked down four threes each in the first quarter. Monroe County’s strength inside attacking was the difference as the Falcons took a 20-12 lead after the opening quarter.
The Rebels continued to stay hot from outside in the second quarter and their half-court defense began to give the Falcons some problems out front. Trailing 22-14, Todd County Central scored 12 straight points to take the lead for the first time in the game at 26-22. The Rebels would head off to the break holding that same four-point margin at 31-27.
Three-point shooting was huge for Todd County Central in the first half as the Rebels knocked down seven shots from behind the 3-point line during the first 16 minutes of the game. John Ross Cardwell, Brett Harris, and Connor Holder had two 3’s each for the Rebels.
The Falcons came back out in the second half and worked to take advantage of their size and strength down in the paint. Defensively, Monroe County cut back on the number of good looks that the Rebels got from behind the 3-point line.
An 8 point run to end the third quarter put Monroe County back up 42-39. Todd County Central was limited to just three made field goals in the third.
The Falcons started the fourth by pushing the lead out to 45-39 and appeared to be about ready to make their move. But back came the Rebes, a Connor Holder three with 5:19 to go cut the lead to 45-44 and prompted a Monroe County timeout.
The Falcons came out of the timeout, and spread the court on offense and got a backdoor cut and foul from Brison Nuckols that put the lead to eight and took some of the wind out of the Rebel comeback hopes. Monroe County added some late free throws to seal the win.
Connor Holder topped the scoring column for Todd County Central with 16 points. John Ross Cardwell finished with 12 and Tay Shemwell added 11.
The Rebels ended up with nine made 3-pointers, led by Holder with three.
Monroe County got 18 points from Brison Nuckols. Reece Bartley added 12 and Brayden Baxter finished with 10.
Todd County Central (0-5) goes back on the road Tuesday night to take on the Caldwell County Tigers.
