The Christian County Colonels are headed back to the Boys 2nd Region Tournament semifinals for the second time in three seasons. The Colonels advance after moving past Crittenden County 77-56 in the first quarterfinal game of the tournament Wednesday night at Hopkinsville High School. Crittenden County gave Christian County a battle for about a quarter and a half, but then the Colonel defensive pressure began to take over the game.
Early on in the contest, the Rockets gave indication that they would not go quietly early. After falling behind 4-0 at the start, Crittenden County went on a 9-0 run to take a 9-4 lead. The run was keyed by strong inside play from Preston Turley and the outside shooting of Gabe Mott. The Rockets would hold the head throughout most of the opening period.
However, with the Rockets holding an 18-12 lead late in the quarter, Christian County finished with a 7-0 run to take a 19-18 lead after the opening eight minutes. The first quarter was an interesting one for the Colonels’ Olajuwon White, who did not start the game, but scored 8 points. However, White picked up three fouls in three minutes and did not play in the second quarter.
The Colonels opened the second quarter with a pair of three pointers to complete a 13-0 run and extend the lead out to 25-18. Crittenden County would then get no closer than four points the rest of the half. The Rockets had troubles against the Christian County pressure defense, turning the ball over 12 times in the opening half. Crittenden County was able to stay within shouting distance in the first half thanks to their rebounding, as they beat the Colonels on the boards 15-8.
The final seconds of the half saw a big momentum swing. The Rockets had a chance to cut the lead to six, but instead turned the ball over and saw Mikeon Mathis get a layup just ahead of the buzzer to put Christian County up 40-30 going into the locker room at the half. Mathis and Stephen Bussell each had 10 points in the half for the Colonels.
Preston Turley had a huge half for the Rockets, finishing the first sixteen minutes of the game with 14 points and 5 rebounds.
The Colonels came out of the locker room with the aim of delivering the knockout punch. Christian County scored the first six points of the quarter to go up 46-30 and force Crittenden County coach Dennis Hodge into a timeout just 1:17 into the second half. Things continued to go from bad to worse for the Rockets as Christian County scored four more quick points, leading to another timeout just 28 seconds later with the deficit at 50-30.
The lead would grow to as many as 21 points, the last time at 54-33, before Crittenden County made a bit of a run to cut the margin down to 59-44 heading into the final quarter.
Any thoughts of a Crittenden County miracle rally were dispatched quickly in the final quarter. Christian County scored the first six points of the 4th to push the lead back out to 21 points at 65-44. From that point on, it was simply a matter of playing it out as the Colonels rolled on to the 21 point win.
Despite being limited due to foul problems, Olajuwon White led Christian County with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Stephen Bussell added 15 points. Mikeon Mathis finished the game with 14 for the Colonels. Qua Chambers also hit double figures with 13 points.
For Crittenden County, Preston Turley topped the scoring column with 16 points. However, he only scored two points in the second half. He added six rebounds to his total. Gabe Mott finished the night with 15 points. Tyler Boone had 11 points and six rebounds. Eric O’Leary also reached double figures for the Rockets with 10 points.
Turnovers hurt Crittenden County all night long, as the Christian County defense forced the Rockets into 23 miscues for the game. The Rockets did win the battle of the boards over the Colonels 22-17.
The win improves Christian County to 13-18 on the season. The Colonels advance on to Monday night’s first regional semifinal at 6pm at Hopkinsville High School.
Crittenden County finishes the season at 16-17, and as runners-up in the 5th District.
TEAM SCORING
CHR (13-18) 19 21 19 18 – 77
CRITT (16-17) 18 12 14 12 – 56
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
CHRISTIAN: Dillard 9, Chambers 13, Mathis 14, White 20, Bussell 15, Leavell 6
CRITTENDEN: Morgeson 3, O’Leary 10, Mott 15, Boone 11, Turley 16, M.Carlson 1
