Kale Gaither poured 26 points in his first game as a Maroon, and Madisonville-North Hopkins held off Caldwell County 62-56 Friday night in Princeton.
Gaither, who played at Union County last season, tallied 18 points as the Maroons got to halftime with a 33-31 advantage.
But Caldwell (0-2) led for much of the first half.
The Tigers, who lost 66-50 in their opener on Monday, led 17-15 after one quarter. They then built a seven-point lead, 31-24, late in the second period.
However, Madisonville finished the half with nine straight points to get to halftime with the two-point lead.
The Maroons led throughout the second half, but could never quite put Caldwell away until late in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers were within two late in the third quarter before Madisonville took a 48-42 lead to the final frame.
Caldwell got as close as four points down the stretch but could get no closer.
Landon Cline added 13 points for Madisonville. Dayne Frazer had eight and Zach Tow six.
Jabrion Spikes had 25 points to lead Caldwell while Tripp Branch added 20 and Tate VanHooser had seven.
The Maroons play again on Saturday when they host Owensboro Catholic.
The Tigers will play at home again on Tuesday when they host Livingston Central in a first round game in the 2nd Region All A Classic.
Madisonville-NH 15 18 15 14 — 62
Caldwell County 17 14 11 14 — 56
Madisonville-North Hopkins (1-0)—Kale Gaither 26, Landon Cline 13, Danye Frazier 8, Zach Tow 6, Ashton Gaines 3, Lajuan MacAdoo 3, Chris Price 3, Destin Cheirs 2.
Caldwell County (0-2)—Jabrion Spikes 25, Tripp Branch 20, Tate VanHooser 7, Carter Whittington 2, Collin Whittington 2.
