The Webster County Trojans are headed back to the Boys 2nd Region semifinals for the first time since the 2017 season. The Trojans built a big second half lead and then held off a furious late game rally from the University Heights Academy Blazers to pick up a 88-79 win in their regional quarterfinal matchup Thursday night at Hopkinsville High School.
The game opened like the two teams were playing horse in the school yard. Neither team missed a shot for the first 3:45 of the game as the two offenses roared up and down the court. Even after the first shot was missed the pace of the game did not slow down. The two teams combined to knock down six 3-pointers in the first quarter. The last of those from Webster County’s Hunter McNaughton gave the Trojans the biggest lead of the quarter as it came to an end at 25-20.
Webster County opened the second quarter with the first seven points of the quarter, extending their run to 12-0 and the lead to 32-20, prompting a time out from UHA with 5:22 to go in the half. Out of the timeout Tyler Camplin buried a deep three from the left corner to finish out a 15-0 run and push the lead to 35-20.
Webster County continued their momentum over the final minutes of the half. When the two teams headed off to the break, the Trojans were in control of the game, leading 45-34.
A big factor in the opening half was Webster County’s domination on the glass. The Trojans outrebounded the Blazers 17-7 over the first two quarters. UHA also had no answer for Webster’s Hunter McNaughton, who lit it up for 19 points in the opening half.
The Trojans came out of the locker room and looked to deliver the knockout blow early in the second half. Webster County scored the first six points of the half to blow the lead out to 17 points at 51-34. The problem for the Blazers as they tried to find a way to mount a comeback in the 3rd quarter was they could find no answer in trying to stop the Webster County inside combo of Hunter McNaughton and Destin Allen.
Webster County would lead by as many as 18 in the quarter before the Blazers got a little rally going late and cut the margin down to 12 at quarter’s end at 65-53. McNaughton and Allen combined to score 14 of the Trojans’ 20 points in the third.
Tyler Camplin opened the 4th quarter with a pair of baskets to put Webster County up 69-53, and it appeared the Trojans were about to put the game away. UHA cranked up the defensive heat in a last gasp effort to find a way to get back in the game. The Blazers would close to within six on two occasions inside of four minutes to go in the game.
However, as time began to melt down on the clock, the Blazers had to gamble on defense more and send the Trojans to the line to try and extend the game. Webster County was able to get a couple of run outs and knock down enough free throws in the final three minutes to hold on for the nine point win.
Tyler Camplin had a big night for the Trojans finishing with 28 points. Hunter McNaughton was right behind him with 27 points. Destin Allen finished with 13. Ayden Winn also hit double figures with 10 points for Webster County.
The Blazers were led by K.J. Crump with 21 points. Amani McGee and D. J. Quarles each had 20 points for the Blazers. Will Bryan also reached double figures with 11.
With the win, Webster County improves to 26-5 on the season, and advances to Monday night’s regional semifinals.
UHA sees its season end at 15-14, and as 8th District runners-up.
TEAM SCORING
WCHS (13-18) 25 20 20 23 – 88
UHA (16-17) 20 14 19 26 – 79
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
WCHS: Camplin 28, Allen 13, McNaughton 27, Winn 10, Harmon 2, Geary 8
UHA: Crump 21, McGee 20, Bryan 11, Quarles 20, Wood 6, Brown 1
