The Christian County boys’ basketball team picked up a 84-70 win on the road at Paducah Tilghman on Tuesday, celebrating the return of Head Coach Kerry Stovall in style. Stovall last prowled the sidelines for the Colonels in the 2010/11 season, ultimately winning a state championship.
The star player on Stovall’s state championship team back then was Anthony Hickey, and the current Colonels boast another star in senior Detorrion Ware. Ware got off to a scorching start for the Colonels, tallying 10 of their first 11 points of the game, in route to a 26 point first half. The Colonels led 21-11 after the first quarter, and took a 43-31 lead into the halftime break.
The Blue Tornado adjusted to try to slow down Ware, starting the half in a box and one and trapping Christian County’s guards. The tactical switch worked, as Ware only picked up 2 3rd quarter points and the Colonels struggled to take care of the ball. Senior forward JaQuon Long picked up the slack, scoring 9 third quarter points, but Tilghman outscored the Colonels 20-13 in the period to cut the lead to 56-51 going into the fourth quarter.
The Colonels started quickly in the 4th, pushing the lead to 62-53 with 6:40 to play. Junior forward Fred Tandy began to attack the hoop, scoring and drawing fouls. Tandy put up 8 points in the quarter during a time when the Blue Tornado were threatening to steal what had earlier looked like a comfortable Colonel win. Ware stepped to the line for a 1 and 1 with 1:50 left in the game and the Colonels leading 71-65. He knocked down both free throws, and after Tandy was again fouled on a drive in the lane, he hit both free throws as well. Seconds later, Tandy would add another lay up, pushing the lead to 77-65. The teams traded baskets during a frenetic final minute and a half, but the Colonels would hold on, earning a hard-fought 84-70 win.
Ware’s 38 points led the way, while Tandy followed with 18. Long added 11, and senior Brion Killebrew had 8. Sophomore guard Damikeon Mathis had 5, while senior Jordan Johnson and junior guard Nathaniel McGregor had 2 each.
The Colonels return to the court when they travel to face Madisonville-North Hopkins on December 5. The Maroons started their season with a 78-50 win over Daviess County.
After the game, Coach Kerry Stovall discussed being back on the Colonels’ sideline and gave his thoughts on the Colonels’ performance.
