The Christian County Colonels completed an undefeated regular season run through the 8th District Saturday night. However, the final regular season district win did not come easy, as the Colonels had to fight to hold on for a 70-68 win over Hopkinsville at Tiger Gym.
The game early on looked like it would be over quickly. Christian County bolted out to a 9-0 lead in the first two minutes of the contest. The lead would grow to double figures at 13-2. The Tigers then began their fight to get back into the game, outscoring Christian County 12-5 to finish the quarter, to cut the Colonels lead to 18-14. Tefrell Toliver was a big part of the run with his inside presence for the Tigers.
Hopkinsville had to deal with early foul problems, as Jalen Johnson picked up two early fouls inside the first two minutes of the game.
Toliver continued his solid play early in the second quarter, scoring the first four points of the quarter to tie the game at 18-18. But then Toliver picked up his 2nd and 3rd fouls in a 47 second span and had to go to the bench. Christian County responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead out to 25-18. Detorrion Ware picked up his second foul with 4:14 to go in the half, and Hopkinsville took advantage of the situation, cutting the lead to 34-31 at the half after back to back baskets by Shorty Cager.
Jalen Johnson opened the second half with a deep three to tie the game at 34, and it was game on. The game was tied at 36 and 41, before Hopkinsville took its first lead of the night, and then extended that lead to 47-42 late in the 3rd quarter. However, this time it was Christian County’s turn to answer the challenge, scoring the last five points of the quarter to tie the game at 47-47 going into the 4th.
Christian County opened the final quarter with five quick points to take a 52-47 lead. Jalen Johnson scored five straight to tie the game again at 52-52. The Colonels then went on an 8-1 run to take a 60-53 lead, a lead they would not give up for the rest of the game. Hoptown would get as close as three on three occasions, but the Colonels knocked down their free throws, including four big ones in the final minute by Eric Brody to seal the win. Shorty Cager hit a three at the buzzer to get to the final margin of two points.
Christian County was led by Detorrion Ware with 28 points. Cory Trice added 13. Shorty Cager was the leading scorer for Hopkinsville with 20 points, while Tefrell Toliver and Jalen Johnson had 12 points each.
The win, which was the 7th in a row for Christian County, improved the Colonels record to 17-6, while Hopkinsville dropped to 11-13.
