Travis Perry, Lyon County Rally With Defense to Beat Ashland

Travis Perry, right, congratulates Brady Shoulders after he got fouled with 3.7 seconds to play against Ashland. Shoulders hit two free throws to win the game. (Les Nicholson Photo)

He’s the state’s all-time leading scorer, Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball, and a University of Kentucky signee, but Travis Perry’s biggest plays in Lyon County’s 45-43 comeback win over Ashland were on defense, not offense. He scored 16 points but was only 7-for-17 from the field, including 1-for-7 from 3-point range. His only 3-pointer came on his first try in the game’s opening minute.

However, with Lyon down 41-34 early in the fourth quarter, Perry got a steal that he converted into an assist with teammate Brady Shoulders that cut the lead to 41-36. He got another steal that he converted into a layup to trim the lead to 41-40 and then his 15-foot jump shot with 4:05 to play capped off an 8-0 Lyon run in 75 seconds that put the Lyons on top.

Perry’s basket was the last field goal for Lyon but the 2nd Region champion still managed to hold off Ashland and won when it held the ball for a last shot, Shoulders got fouled and hit two free throws with 3.7 seconds to play.

“It was very physical. It had a football feel (four Ashland starters played football) and we knew it would not be a 15- to 20-point win,” Lyon coach Ryan Perry said. “I was super proud of these guys. Their backs were against the wall there.”

Travis Perry admitted there was a little panic down 41-34 when his father called timeout. But he also thought there “was no way we are going to end like this” and not play again.

“I knew we would fight and do what we could. Luckily the next play they mishandled the ball, their guy jogged after it and I was able to dive and get a steal,” the Lyon senior said.

The UK signee credited Ashland’s aggressive, tenacious defense for giving him problems. He felt like he always had two players on him and was forced to take “semi-open 3’s from deep” that he was not hitting.

“But it’s always rewarding to change a game with a steal or diving on the floor. I feel like my teammates fed off that,” Perry said. “I was really happy with that.”

Ashland coach Ryan Bonner said his team executed the game plan to perfection to hold Lyon to 19-for-43 shooting from the field and 2-for-16 from 3. The Lyons also had only six fast break points.

Bonner said his team had “guarded guys like Travis but not to that caliber” this season and the key was eliminating space for him to shoot.

“Everything was about eliminating his space and taking away his transition opportunities,” Bonner said. “When you are playing an elite shooter it is all about space. You cannot let him shoot where he catches the ball. He can’t have any rhythm 3’s and I thought we did a good job of that.”

Bonner said it was a “gritty, tough, physical” game against one of the best teams Ashland has played.

Ryan Perry said Ashland did a great job defending the final play and the Lyons were expecting a double team on Shoulders that would have allowed him to pass to an open teammate.

“I shot, luckily I got fouled because it was not the best shot,” Shoulders said.

Ryan Perry is glad his team has a day to rest before playing again Friday afternoon.

“They (Ashland) played so hard in the second half. Bodies were flying all over the court. If you cannot appreciate that in high school basketball then you do not love the game,” the Lyon coach said. “Guys were giving everything they had and both teams wanted to win so bad.”