The Caldwell County Tigers are headed to the 2nd Region All A Classic championship game for the third time in the past six seasons. The Tigers got a very unfreshman-like performance from freshman Pax Aikins, especially in the second half, as Caldwell County turned back Dawson Springs 74-66 Thursday night on the Panthers home floor.
The win puts the Tigers in the regional title game for the first time since 2022. That year, Caldwell County fell to Lyon County in the championship game played at University Heights Academy.
Aikins came up clutch for the Tigers when they needed it most. Led by Rex Blue and Montgomery Johnston, Dawson Springs had eliminated an 11-point halftime lead and had tied the game at 37-37 after Blue converted a three-point play with 3:35 to go in the third.
Aikins buried three straight threes and scored 11 points as part of a 13-0 blitz that pushed the lead back out to 50-37. The quarter ended with Caldwell County up 50-41. Still, the Panthers were not quite done, however.
Rex Blue, Montgomery Johnston, and Easton Bourland cranked it up one more time and brought the Panthers back to within four at 64-60.
But again, Caldwell County had the answer, scoring six quick points to nudge the lead back out to 70-60 to essentially lock up the win.
The game was close early in the night, with Caldwell County holding a 12-11 lead after the first eight minutes.
The Tigers closed out the opening half on a 10-2 run turning a three point margin into a 29-18 Caldwell County lead at the half.
Pax Aikins was special for the Tigers in the second half, scoring 16 of his 22 points after the break. JayDarius Wilson was dominant at times in the paint, scoring 19 points, blocking several shots, and pulling down key rebounds. Collin Whittington also hit double figures with 13. Cade Rowland added 8 points.
Easton Bourland and Montgomery Johnston scored 19 points each to lead the Panthers. Rex Blue added 15. Jaydon Plunkette had six points on two first half three-point shots.
Caldwell County improves to 10-5 with the win, which was the Tigers’ fourth straight. Caldwell County will play Lyon County for the title. That game is currently scheduled for Saturday evening, weather permitting.
Dawson Springs drops to 8-7 with the loss. The Panthers are scheduled to travel to Madisonville Tuesday night for a 7th District contest.
