Hopkins County Central has big plans this postseason. Dawson Springs was trying to spoil those plans.
The Panthers gave it a go in Tuesday’s 7th District semifinals, trimming a double-digit halftime deficit to just four points midway through the third quarter.
But in the end, the Storm just had more firepower, fending off Dawson 79-65 at Hopkins County Central High School.
The Storm will next face Madisonville-North Hopkins in Friday’s 6 p.m. championship game in Mortons Gap. The Maroons advanced with a 74-48 win over Caldwell County.
Devontae Jagoe had 21 points and Davonyae Butcher had 20 to pace a balanced Hopkins Central scoring attack.
The Storm also got 14 points apiece from Samari Pettus and Blaze Sumner along with 10 from Neilan Bruce.
Dawson also spread out its scoring, with Easton Bourland getting 19, Noah Riley 17 and Cooper Burge 12. Jaydon Plunkette added nine points and Ethan Slaton eight.
The Panthers held first-half leads — the last time at 19-18 early in the second quarter.
But the Storm turned things around and built a 36-26 lead at halftime.
Dawson did make its run after the break.
Burge buried back-to-back 3s to get the Panthers within 43-39. But Dawson could get no closer.
The Panthers were still within striking distance at 57-48 through three quarters.
But Hopkins Central would not allow a Dawson run in the final frame, opening up a 15-point lead on the way to the 14-point triumph.
Dawson had won five straight games entering the postseason and finishes with an 11-16 record.
Top-seeded Hopkins Central has earned a berth in the 2nd Region tournament next week in Madisonville. The Storm is among several challengers for the regional title.
Dawson Springs 14 12 22 17 — 65
Hopkins Central 16 20 21 22 — 79
Dawson Springs (11-16)—Bourland 19, Riley 17, Burge 12 Plunkette 9, Slaton 8.
Hopkins County Central (16-9)—Jagoe 21, Butcher 20, Pettus 14, Sumner 14, Bruce 10.
One Response
Great game, Storm.
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