For the 14th consecutive year, the Madisonville Maroons will play for the boys 7th District basketball championship. Madisonville advanced to the title game Monday night by cruising past Dawson Springs 96-38 in the semifinals of the 2019 tournament at Hopkins Central High School.
The Maroons used a big first quarter run to take control of the game and never looked back. Dawson Springs took their only lead of the game after Dilyn Skinner hit a three to make it a 3-2 Panthers lead very early in the contest. The Maroons then ripped off the next 12 points to go up 14-3 with just over five minutes to go in the quarter. Madisonville kept things rolling, outscoring the Panthers 14-3 to finish the first quarter with a 28-6 lead. Kenny White had a big start for the Maroons with 10 points in the opening 8 minutes.
Madisonville began to rotate more players into the game during the 2nd quarter, as their offense kept things clicking along, and their defensive pressure forced Dawson Springs into easy turnovers that the Maroons converted into layups or free throw opportunities. By the end of the half, Madisonville had extended the lead to 57-19, with three players, Kenny White, Ksuan Casey, and Cade Cunningham, all in double figures at the break.
With the lead surprassing 35 points, the running clock came into play with the start of the second half, speeding up the finish of the contest. The Maroon starters began the 2nd half on the floor, but came out in the first couple of minutes, as the younger Madisonville players saw extensive playing time the rest of the way. After three, the lead had grown to 79-28.
The 4th quarter saw reserves finish out the game for both teams.
The Maroons used a balanced attack in the winning effort. Kenny White and Cade Cunningham had 15 points each. Ksuan Casey added 14 points for Madisonville.
Dawson Springs was paced by Kolby Williams with 8 points. Ethan Huddleston added 7 points, while Dilyn Skinner chipped in with 6 points.
The win improves Madisonville to 25-5, and was their 18th in a row.
