Carter Whittington’s potential game-winner kicked off the glass and took a quick trip around the rim.
But the shot wouldn’t fall, and a follow attempt was blocked as Madisonville-North Hopkins held on for a 63-62 victory Friday on Homecoming Night at Caldwell County.
The Maroons improved to 10-8 overall and 3-0 in the 7th District while keeping their long winning streak against Caldwell intact. Madisonville has won 17 in a row dating back to the 2016-17 season.
But Caldwell County (9-7, 2-1) led for much of the second half — three times extending the margin to as much as nine points.
The Tigers still held a 54-45 lead with under 6 minutes to play.
Madisonville, though, ratcheted up the defensive pressure to spur a 13-3 run that gave the visitors a 58-57 lead when Kanyon Johnson made one of two free throws with 3:45 remaining.
Caldwell went back in front when Jaydarius Wilson scored inside 10 seconds later at the other end of the floor. A 17-footer by Demaurius Thompson had the Tigers up 61-58 with 2:26 left.
Montae Ratcliff scored on a drive to the basket with 1:58 to go to pull Madisonville within one.
Thompson made one of two free throws at the 1:41 mark to give Caldwell a 62-60 edge.
But Ratcliff scored on another drive to the bucket at the other end, knotting the game with 1:19 to play.
After a Caldwell turnover, Madisonville ran down the clock, and got to the free throw line when Aaron Richardson was fouled on a cut to the basket with 9 seconds on the clock.
Richardson made the first free throw to put Madisonville up 63-62, but his second attempt kicked out.
Caldwell rebounded and pushed the ball up the floor. Whittington’s runner wouldn’t go, but the Tigers grabbed two offensive rebounds. However, one shot attempt was blocked and another that came up short appeared to get off just after the horn as the Maroons held on.
Ratcliff led Madisonville with 16 points while Maverick Peyton had 15 and Richardson finished with nine.
Whittington topped the Caldwell scoresheet with 19. Wilson had 17 and Thompson added 10.
The game was tied 12-12 after one quarter before Madisonville got to halftime with a 31-27 advantage.
The Maroons led by as much as six points in the third quarter before Caldwell came back to grab a 49-43 lead through three periods.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again Feb. 6 in Madisonville.
Caldwell next hosts Hopkins County Central for a girls and boys district doubleheader on Monday.
Madisonville will host Heritage Christian Academy on Monday.
Madisonville-NH 12 19 12 20 — 63
Caldwell County 12 15 22 13 — 62
Madisonville-North Hopkins (10-8, 3-0)—Ratcliff 16, Peyton 15, Richardson 9, Bryant 8, Johnson 7, Smith 5, Grant 3.
Caldwell County (9-7, 2-1)—Ca. Whittington 19, J. Wilson 17, Thompson 10, Rowland 9, Parker 7.
