YSE File Photo
You knew the streak had to come to an end at some point. But it did not end easily. The Lyon County Lyons battled back multiple times Friday evening and had their chance to win but ended up dropping a tough 73-67 double overtime decision to Lexington Catholic in the opening round of the White Greer and Maggard Holiday Tournament hosted by the Knights.
It was the third straight year that Lyon County and Lexington Catholic had met in the tournament. The two teams had split the previous two meetings with each team winning by 20 points. Lyon County beat the Knights last year in the championship game of the tournament.
Lexington Catholic took an 18-15 lead after the opening quarter. The Knights then looked to have things going their way at the half as they took a 34-26 lead.
The Lyons kept fighting and trailed only 44-40 after the third quarter. Early in the fourth, the Knights appeared to be ready to put the game away, but the Lyons roared back again.
Lyon County took a one point lead inside the final three minutes of the game. But Lexington Catholic did not fade down the stretch. The Knights got back to the lead and were up by three with 1:07 to go in regulation. Nolan Coffman knocked down a three with 30 seconds left to tie the game. The Lyons would get the ball back and have two chances to win. Lexington Catholic blocked a shot with 5 seconds left and got the ball. The Knights’ pass to midcourt was intercepted by Bray Kirk, who got off a half-court shot but was off the mark as the game headed to overtime tied at 54-54.
In the first overtime, Lyon County held a 3 point lead with 20 seconds to go. Lexington Catholic tied it up on a corner three with six seconds left in the overtime. Lyon County got the ball to Cooper Collins, who came open for a step-back three just ahead of the horn. But, the shot attempt wedged between the backboard and the rim, and the game headed for overtime number two.
Lyon County scored first in the second extra period but the Knights took control of the game with an 8-0 run and that was enough to set them on their way to the six point win.
The Lyons were led by Nolan Coffman with 19 points. Bray Kirk had 15 and Carson Collins hit double figures with 13 points. Korben Lucas came off the bench to score 9 points for the Lyons.
Ryan Harward was the leading scorer for Lexington Catholic with 16 points. Max Meagher added 15 points and Jacob Holland chipped in with 13 points for the Knights.
The loss ends a 21-game winning streak for Lyon County, dropping the Lyons to 5-1 on the season. The Lyons now move to the consolation bracket of the tournament on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 to face Boyd County.
