The Madisonville-North Hopkins Maroons and the McCracken County Mustangs met for the second time in this young basketball season Monday afternoon in the 5th place game of the Chad Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass. Just like the first time they met, the game was not decided until late in the contest.
K’Suan Casey’s hook shot down close to the basket with 20 seconds to go put the Maroons in front. After McCracken County missed three in close shots in the final ten seconds, Keshawn Stone made a pair of free throws to seal an intense 55-52 win between two of the best teams in western Kentucky. The first time these two teams met this season was a five point Maroon win at the Marshall County HoopFest.
The game was close from the beginning, with the Maroons leading at the end of the first quarter 15-11. Madisonville would lead by as many as six in the second quarter, before settling for a 32-27 lead at the break.
Behind the play of Murray State signee Jackson Sivills, the Mustangs battled their way back to within three at the end of the 3rd quarter at 43-40.
Things got even tighter from there, as the two teams traded the lead back and forth down the stretch. Both teams missed key opportunities in the final half of the 4th quarter. McCracken County took their final lead at 52-51 with a minute to go. Setting up the dramatic finish.
Keshawn Stone led Madisonville with 14 points. Kenny White added 13. K’Suan Casey had 9 points and 13 rebounds in the contest.
Jackson Sivills was the only Mustang to reach double figures with 31 points.
Madisonville finishes the King of the Bluegrass with their season record at 8-1. The only loss being a second round loss to Collins by one point in overtime.
