Caldwell County scored the first 12 points of the night and never let Hopkins County Central get comfortable in Tuesday’s 7th District semifinal in Madisonville.
The Tigers used a balanced scoring attack to dismiss the Storm 70-52 and advance to Friday’s district championship game.
Cayden Fraliex scored 17 points, Tripp Branch had 14 and Cole Smiley added 10 for the Tigers, who will face host Madisonville-North Hopkins for the title.
Branch had four 3-pointers and Fraliex had three for Caldwell, which led 15-4 after one quarter and 32-18 at halftime.
The Tigers (16-14) extended the margin to 50-28 through three quarters and led by as much as 27 points down the stretch while winning for the seventh straight game.
Caldwell is playing its best basketball of the season, but faces a stern test in No. 3-ranked Madisonville-North Hopkins.
The Maroons have handled the Tigers by scores of 90-61 and 66-48. However, Caldwell was within five points in the fourth quarter of the second matchup before Madisonville pulled away late.
Hopkins Central ends an injury-plagued season 8-21. However, the Storm went 8-8 after starting the season 0-13.
Marcus Eaves led the Storm on Tuesday with 12 points.
Madisonville will be looking for its 11th straight district championship on Friday.
Caldwell won its only 7th District championship in 2007.
Hopkins Central 4 14 10 24 — 52
Caldwell County 15 17 18 20 — 70
Hopkins County Central (8-21) — Eaves 12, Morris 8, Miller 8, Almon 8, Weldon 6, Peyton 2, Bone 2, Manis 2, Williams 2, Phillips 2.
Caldwell County (16-14) — Fraliex 17, Branch 14, Smiley 10, A. Riley 7, Blaine 6, Spikes 4, East 4, J. Riley 4, Ray 2, Hall 2.
