Hopkinsville High School is not ready just yet to give up its final season on the basketball court.
The Tigers (18-13) used a 17-2 run in the first quarter to grab the upper hand and went on to post a 70-50 victory over host Madisonville-North Hopkins in the quarterfinal round of the 2nd Region tournament on Thursday.
Hopkinsville will play in the regional semifinals on Monday, facing Lyon County at 7:30 p.m.
Jonovan Leavell had eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, during Hoptown’s early run. That turned a 6-6 game early into a 23-8 Tiger lead late in the opening stanza.
Madisonville (6-23) got as close as nine points twice in the second period — the last at 26-17 on a drive to the basket by Lake Sumner with 3:58 left in the half.
But the Maroons managed just one more field goal the rest of the frame while Hopkinsville went on a 12-2 run.
That put the Tigers up 38-19.
Hoptown, the 8th District champion, extended the margin to 26 points at 53-37 following a driving basket by James Bradley late in the third quarter.
The Maroons, the 7th District runners-up. got no closer than 15 points the rest of the nght.
Jayven Battle had eight points in each half while totaling 16 points to lead Hopkinsville.
Jayon Bass and Leavell each finished with 14 points for the Tigers.
For Madisonville, Orion Underwood had a game-high 24 points while Jeremiah Lewis scored 13 points.
The Hopkinsville Tigers are playing their final season on the hardwood. Hoptown will become part of the new consolidated Christian County High School next season.
Madisonville-NH 11 8 13 18 — 50
Hopkinsville 23 15 15 17 — 70
Madisonville-North Hopkins (6-23)—Underwood 24, Lewis 13, Dever 7, Sumner 5, Latham 1.
Hopkinsville (18-13)—Battle 16, Bass 14, Leavell 14, Giltner 8, Bradley 7, Quarles 4, Dillard 3, Jesse 2, Cornett 2.
