Wire-to-wire victories aren’t usually so frenzied.
Caldwell County never trailed Friday night while dealing Dawson Springs a 70-64 setback in 7th District action in Princeton, but the Tigers hardly had a smooth ride.
The Panthers twice got within striking distance after falling behind by double figures, but each time Caldwell managed to hang on to the lead.
Down 64-53 with under 3 minutes to play, Dawson clawed its way back to within 66-62 following two free throws by Deacon Dever with 56 seconds to play.
Caldwell finally put the game away when Kam Wilson came up with a loose ball following a missed Tiger free throw and scored with 29 seconds to play. That made it 70-62 and finally gave Caldwell fans a feeling of having the game in control.
Tiger big man Jaydarius Wilson had 20 points and 15 rebounds in the win.
Collin Whittington added 14 points, Cade Rowland 12 and Luke Parker 11 for the Tigers, who are now 7-5 overall and 1-0 in district play.
The Rex and Gummy Show combined for 46 points for the Panthers. Senior Montgomery Johnston had 24 points — 17 in the second half — while classmate Rex Blue finished with 22 points.
Dever added 11 points for Dawson, which is now 6-6 and 1-1.
Blue had seven rebounds while Johnston and Dever each had five boards.
Caldwell got 3-pointers from Rowland and Whittington to start the game and led 18-8 after one quarter.
The Tigers led 36-26 at halftime following Rowland’s buzzer beater from the free throw line following a loose ball.
Caldwell’s biggest lead of the night came at 38-26 early in the second half before Dawson made its first run.
Two free throws by Jaydon Plunkette got the Panthers within 46-44 with 1:49 still remaining in the third period.
However, Caldwell got 3s from Whittington and Pax Aikins to go up 54-46 through three quarters.
A putback by Jaydarius Wilson and a layup by Whittington gave the Tigers a 64-53 advantage with 2:42 left in the game.
But Dawson made one more run before Caldwell hung on.
The Tigers and Panthers have had some close encounters the past few seasons, but Caldwell has now won five straight from Dawson — and 17 of the last 18 matchups.
The teams could see a lot of each other this season. They have one more regular season meeting — Feb. 4 in Dawson Springs — and could meet in the 2nd Region All A Classic next week, also in Dawson. And the two schools could hook up in the district tournament at the end of the year as well.
Both squads will be in action again on Saturday.
Caldwell will host 3rd Region school Muhlenberg County at the CAB gym.
Dawson will travel to the 1st Region to face Christian Fellowship School.
Dawson Springs 8 18 20 18 — 64
Caldwell County 18 18 18 16 — 70
Dawson Springs (6-6, 1-1)—Johnston 24, Blue 22, Dever 11, Bourland 5, Plunkette 2.
Caldwell County (7-5, 1-0)—J. Wilson 20, Whittington 14, Rowland 12, Parker 11, Aikins 7, K. Wilson 6.
