A strong fourth quarter not only extended Madisonville-North Hopkins’ streak against Caldwell County, it gave the Maroons the No. 1 seed for the 7th District tournament.
Kanyon Johnson scored 10 of his game-high 21 points in the final frame as the Maroons came from behind to upend the Tigers 58-49 at the CAB gym in Princeton.
Caldwell (14-9 overall, 4-2 district) led for much of the contest, holding a 13-11 advantage after one quarter and a 24-19 edge at halftime.
The Tigers were still up 40-38 going to the fourth quarter, but Madisonville drew even twice at 40-40 and 42-42.
The Maroons (13-9, 5-1) took the lead for good when Ryan Bryant scored inside midway through the quarter. A driving bucket by Johnson gave Madisonville a 46-42 advantage with 3:18 to play.
Caldwell twice got back to within two points on baskets by Jaydarius Wilson — the last at 48-46 with 1:49 left.
Madisonville countered with a bucket inside from Bryant, then got two free throws from Landen Smith at the 1:11 mark to go up 52-46.
A long 3-pointer by Collin Whittington kept Caldwell’s hopes alive, cutting the gap to 52-49.
The Tigers’ then came up with a steal by Kam Wilson on the inbounds play, but a potential tying 3-point attempt was off the mark.
Madisonville got two free throws from Johnson with 41 seconds left to go up five, 54-49.
A layup by Bryant made it 56-49 with 22 seconds to go and the Maroons were on their way to their 21st straight win over Caldwell.
The Tigers’ last win in the series came in February of 2017. Madisonville holds a 95-11 advantage all-time.
Bryant had 20 points for the Maroons while Smith finished with 14.
Wilson, who signed before the game to play college basketball at Southeastern Illinois, paced the Tigers with 19 points. Daelyn Lander had nine while Cade Rowland and Collin Whittington each added eight.
Top-seeded Madisonville will face No. 4 Hopkins County Central in the district tournament in just over two weeks while No. 2 Caldwell gets No. 3 Dawson Springs.
Next up for the Maroons is a home date against Butler County on Monday.
The Tigers will go to Trigg County on Monday.
Madisonville-NH 11 8 19 20 — 58
Caldwell County 13 11 16 9 — 49
Madisonville-North Hopkins (13-9, 5-1)—Johnson 21, Bryant 20, L. Smith 14, Cheirs 3.
Caldwell County (14-9, 4-2)—J. Wilson 19, Lander 9, Rowland 8, Whittington 8, K. Wilson 5.
