The Dawson Springs Panthers hosted one of the quarterfinal games of the 2nd Region All A Classic, and they matchup against Livingston Central. They were able to get the best of the Cardinals, and they did so with a close score of 67-59.
The scoring was fast and furious in the first quarter, and the Panthers went up 14-10 halfway through the period. Noah Riley hit a three-pointer to force a Livingston timeout, and Dawson was able to take a 20-14 lead after the first eight minutes.
Riley had a total of seven points in the quarter counting that three, and Jaydon Plunkette was able to hit three shots from beyond the arc and lead the Panthers to a 20-point first.
Dawson continued their hot scoring, forcing a timeout with a Plunkette three and taking a nine-point lead. The lead was able to hold, and the Panthers went into the halftime break up 37-28.
The leader in scoring for the Panthers in the second quarter was Easton Bourland, who was able to put up six in the period.
The third quarter was the first time in the game that the Cardinals were able to outscore the Panthers, and they started with a bit of a comeback to cut the lead to six. Dawson quickly made a three to extend their lead again, but Livingston was able to go into the fourth down just 50-44 after a few more buckets.
The fourth and final quarter started a bit slower, with just 10 points scored combined between the two teams. But this slower pace favored the Panthers, as it depleted the clock and helped them eventually grab the 67-59 win.
This is the sixth time in a row that Dawson Springs has gotten the best of Livingston Central, as the last time the Cardinals won the matchup was back in December of 2022.
Plunkette led the Panthers in scoring with 23, and he did so with six deep bombs over the course of the game. Cooper Burge and Bourland were also able to get into double-digits with 14 and 12, respectively.
This is the first time so far this season that Dawson Springs has been able to grab back-to-back wins.
They will be looking to make it three in a row when they face off with the Blazers of University Heights on Friday, January 9. This will be the first of the semifinal games in the 2nd Region All A Classic, and will be played at Fort Campbell High School at 6 p.m.
