Second Region teams that are underestimating Jason Leek are discovering the consequences when the final buzzer sounds.
The Heritage Christian Academy senior guard added his name to the school’s record book once again with 55 points as the Warriors beat Trigg County 82-73 on Tuesday.
It was the fourth time Leek eclipsed 50 points this season. The three other times were 51-point efforts which saw him sit atop the HCA record book for most points in a game.
Leek came into the game leading the state in scoring at 35 points a game.
Leek’s 55 points also set a 63-year Wildcat Gym scoring record, breaking the old mark of 47 set by Trigg County’s Chris Sparks in 1996.
His night looked almost effortless as he hit 20-of-28 shots from the field and 5-of-6 behind the arc. Normally, an 81% free throw shooter, Leek was 10-of-17 at the line – the only thing keeping him from a 60-point night.
Heritage ended the first half on a 10-2 run, but it wasn’t just Leek providing the scoring punch. Jacob Morgan hit a 3-pointer and Noah Arvin and Ethan Miles also had buckets during the run.
It was a nice boost for the Warriors as Trigg County continually sent two and three defenders to shadow Leek near half-court. Morgan scored eight of his 13 points in the second quarter as HCA outscored Trigg 26-16. Arvin added three points and three rebounds.
Up 41-31 at halftime, Leek scored 17 points in the third quarter as the Warriors built a 54-37 lead.
Trigg battled back and cut the deficit to 67-64 with 3:41. However, Leek scored HCA’s final 16 points and finished with 18 in the quarter.
The Wildcats had their opportunities to cut into the Warrior lead at several intervals, but missed 17 shots in the paint. Trigg got 14 offensive rebounds but just 15 second-chance points.
HCA beat Trigg on the glass 39-36 with Cooper Kirkman and Ethan Miles both grabbing nine rebounds.
Trigg County was also cold from the outside, hitting just 5-of-27 behind the 3-point line.
Davraree Gude had another big night for the Wildcats with 31 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out late. Caleb Fogle added 17 points.
The win was Heritage Christian Academy’s first in three career meetings with Trigg County. Half of the Warriors’ six wins this season have come against 5th District schools.
HCA will play at Dawson Springs on Saturday, while Trigg County has a Thursday district game at Livingston Central.
| Heritage Christian 82, Trigg County 73 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Heritage Christian (6-14) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jason Leek 20-28 10-17 55; Jacob Morgan 5-12 0-0 13; Nathan Wheatcraft 2-10 1-2 5; Cadyn Travis 1-3 0-0 3; Noah Arvin 1-3 1-2 3; Cooper Kirkman 1-4 0-0 2; Ethan Miles 0-5 1-2 1; Caden Gresham 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 30-66 13-23 82. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Trigg County (8-11) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Davaree Gude 11-20 8-12 31; Caleb Fogle 5-15 4-4 17; Slaton Carter 5-10 2-4 12; Landon Swann 4-9 0-0 9; Lance Breckel 1-7 2-2 4; Joshuan Bridges 0-6 0-0 0; Corben Woodall 0-1 0-0 0; Zamarion Broussard 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 26-69 16-22 73. | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 3-point goals – Heritage Christian 9-24 (Jason Leek 5-6; Jacob Morgan 3-7; Cadyn Travis 1-2; Nathan Wheatcraft 0-4; Cooper Kirkman 0-1; Ethan Miles 0-3; Caden Gresham 0-1), Trigg County 5-27 (Caleb Fogle 3-12; Davaree Gude 1-1; Landon Swann 1-4; Joshuan Bridges 0-1; Corben Woodall 0-1; Slaton Carter 0-2; Lance Breckel 0-6) .
Fouled out–Heritage Christian-Nathan Wheatcraft, Trigg County-Joshuan Bridges, Davaree Gude. Turnovers – Heritage Christian 9, Trigg County 7 Points Off Turnovers – Heritage Christian 11, Trigg County 12 Rebounds – Heritage Christian 39 (Jason Leek 12), Trigg County 36 (Davaree Gude 15) . Assists – Heritage Christian 5 (Nathan Wheatcraft 4), Trigg County 10 (Davaree Gude 5) . Total Fouls – Heritage Christian 18, Trigg County 19. |
