One thing you knew going into the game between Madisonville and Belleville West Friday night is that the Maroons would win. One thing you know coming out of the game is that Belleville’s EJ Liddell, who is headed for Ohio State, is really, really good.
Liddell and the rest of his Maroons were just a little bit too much for the Kentucky Maroons, as Belleville East rolled past Madisonville 77-60 in Friday night’s third game at the Marshall County Hoopfest.
Liddell was spectactular, coming up with 42 points and 16 rebounds. The 42 points ties for the 2nd most ever in a Hoopfest game. Lyon County’s Ty Rogers had 42 in 2003, while Callaway, Mississippi’s Malik Newman had 42 in 2014. Jackson Lanier’s Monta Ellis holds the event record with 46 points in 2004.
The game was tight early, being tied at 4-4 and 6-6. Belleville West then went on a 6-0 run to go up 12-6, and they would not trail the rest of the game. Belleville led 22-17 after the first quarter.
Madisonville trailed only 28-26 about halfway through the second quarter when Belleville took control of the game. Belleville outscored Madisonville 11-4 to finish the half and pretty much ended the game there.
Belleville would extend the lead to 58-44 at the end of the 3rd quarter. They would lead by as many as 21 in the 4th quarter before settling for the 17 point win.
Madisonville, which falls to 1-1 on the season, was led by K’Suan Casey with 15 points. Keshawn Stone was the only other Maroon to reach double figures with 14 points.
