YSE File Photo
The first time the Christian County Colonels and the Rowan County Vikings met on a basketball court, the stakes could not have been higher. In March 2011, the Colonels picked up a double-overtime win over the Vikings in the state championship game in the first meeting between the two programs. The stakes were not quite as high when the two got together Saturday on the Vikings’ home court in the 2024 Stockyards Bank Challenge.
Saturday, the second half turned out to be a bad combination of trends for the Colonels. After shooting better than 52 percent in the first half, Christian County lost its shooting eye just as the Vikings were finding theirs and shooting better than 60 percent in the second half on their way to a 65-45 win.
After their first half shooting effort, the Colonels were right in the thick of things, trailing just 27-23 at the break.
Coming out of the half, the Colonels shooting cooled off as Christian County made just 33 percent of its shots after the break. Meanwhile, on the other side, the Vikings, after shooting 42 percent in the first half, got shots to fall at a 60 percent clip in the second half.
The Rowan County defense limited Christian County to just 8 points in the third as the Vikings extended the lead out to 42-31.
The hot shooting for the Vikings continued in the fourth quarter as they pulled away to take the 20-point win.
Rahsean Stevenson had a double-double to lead Christian County with 17 points and 10 rebounds. NaDarien Rowe was the only other Colonel in double figures with 14. Darren Bigbee added 8 points.
Rowan County was led by Grant Rose with 12 points. Wyatt Slone and Gavin Mirus had 10 points each.
Christian County (0-9) is back in action on January 3 hosting the Russellville Panthers.
