The Hopkinsville Tigers will get to play in the final game ever in Tiger Gym. The Tigers knocked off Fort Campbell 86-44 Tuesday night in the first 8th District semifinals game and move on to Friday night’s district championship game, which is set to be the last contest for the Tigers in the historic arena.
Both the Tigers and the Falcons had some ball-handling issues the first couple of trips up and down the floor as the game got rolling, but it did not take long for the Tigers to get settled in. Hopkinsville scored the first two baskets of the game to take a 4-0 lead.
After a score from Tyreek Anthony cut the margin to 4-2, Hopkinsville found its offensive rhythm. Using defensive pressure and getting out quickly after defensive rebounds, the Tigers went on a 12-2 run that pushed the lead out to 16-4. Most of the baskets for Hopkinsville during the run were at the rim.
The lead for the Tigers was 22-10 at the end of the first. A big start for Jayon Bass, who finished the first eight minutes of the night with 8 points.
Hopkinsville kept the momentum rolling to start the second quarter with a 10-0 run to move the lead out to 32-10. THe Tigers started to lock in from outside in the quarter and it made for a bad combination for the Falcons.
Tyreek Anthony fought to keep Fort Campbell in the game as the Tigers were pulling away. His 3-pointer midway through the quarter got the Falcons to within 16 points at 36-20. That three-pointer also made Fort Campbell basketball history. With the shot, Anthony passed Robbie Townsend to become the all-time leading scorer in Fort Campbell history. Townsend was on hand at the next dead ball to make a special presentation to the new scoring leader for the Falcons.
That, however, was the last good news of the half for the Falcons. After Anthony’s record-breaking shot, the Hopkinsville Tigers went on a devastating 12-0 run that pushed the lead out to 48-20. Most of the points in the run came off of layups following Falcon turnovers. The half ended with Hopkinsville up 48-22.
A monster half for Hopkinsville’s Jayon Bass, who went to the break with 20 points. Tyreek Anthony led Fort Campbell at the half with 13 points.
One of the big stories in the half was the turnover differential. The Tigers had just three turnovers at the half, while Fort Campbell had 14, with most of those leading directly to Hopkinsville baskets at the other end.
Getting a spark from Kyre Ferguson, Fort Campbell opened the third quarter on a 10-3 run and closed to within 19 points at 51-32. But there would be no miracle second half comeback. Hopkinsville’ depth and talent began to wear on the Falcons, and the rest of the third belonged to the team in white.
Over the rest of the quarter, Hopkinsville outscored Fort Campbell 21-6 and blew the lead out to 72-38. Six different Tigers scored in the quarter as Hopkinsville put the game away. James Bradley Jr. and TaShaun Quarles had big-time efforts for Hopkinsville in the third.
The Tigers scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to get the lead to 78-38 and the running clock was in play for the rest of the game as Hopkinsville could start thinking about Friday night’s championship contest. Tiger reserves saw significant action down the stretch as Hopkinsville took the 42-point win.
Jayon Bass led five Hopkinsville Tigers in double figures with 20 points, all coming in the first half. James Bradley Jr. added 14 points and 6 rebounds. TaShaun Quarles just missed a double-double with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Jonovan Leavell and Curtis Dillard each had 11 points for the night.
Tyreek Anthony finished his career with 16 points, including the record-setting three-pointer. He also had 10 rebounds. Kyre Ferguson added 9 points for the Falcons.
The Falcons see their season come to an end at 9-18 under first-year head coach Austin Byrum.
Hopkinsville improves to 16-13 and advances to Friday night’s championship game, which will be the final game ever in Tiger Gym. The Tigers will also move on to the Boys’ 2nd Region Tournament, which begins next Wednesday night at Madisonville-North Hopkins.
