Caldwell County senior Tripp Branch entered Tuesday night’s game at Dawson Springs needing 88 points to become the 19th Tiger to reach 1,000 career points.
He may have tried to get all of those points in one game.
Branch had 31 points at halftime and finished with a career-best 47 to lead Caldwell to a 72-67 victory over the Panthers in 7th District action.
Branch’s big night is just two points off the school record for a single game and his 10 3-pointers in the contest tied a school mark.
The win ended a five-game losing skid for the Tigers.
But the story was Branch, who knocked down seven of his first nine shots from behind the arc and finished 10 of 21 from long range.
Only a 7-of-15 showing at the free throw stripe kept Branch from topping 50 points and establishing a new Tiger scoring record.
Branch had four 3s and 16 points in the first quarter to help Caldwell go up 20-15 after 8 minutes.
Three more treys in the second period helped Branch score 15 points in that stanza and get to halftime with 31 points. The Tigers got to the break with a 40-27 advantage.
Branch added nine more points in the third quarter, but Dawson cut the gap to 57-52 entering the final frame.
The Panthers got as close as a single point in the fourth quarter before Caldwell was able to hang on for the five-point decision.
Branch added seven more points to his total in the fourth period, pushing his total to 47.
Matt Fraliex holds the school record with 49 points at Webster County just over 14 years ago — Feb. 20, 2007.
Dustin Cash had 48 points against Providence on Feb. 9, 2001, while Fraliex also had 48 against Fort Campbell on Feb. 7, 2006.
Michael Fraliex had a 47-point performance in a win over Marshall County on Feb. 27, 1992.
Branch’s 10 3-pointers at Dawson equaled Cash’s 10 3s against Providence.
Tate VanHooser added 11 points for the Tigers, who are now 4-12 overall and 1-2 in district play.
Landon Pace had another big game for Dawson Springs with 28 points while Rett Nieters added 23 and Logan McKnight had 11 for the Panthers (0-8, 0-2).
The two teams will square off again Saturday night in Caldwell County’s Homecoming tilt in Princeton.
Caldwell next hosts Hopkinsville for Senior Night on Thursday.
Dawson plays at district foe Madisonville-North Hopkins on Thursday.
Caldwell County 20 20 17 15 — 72
Dawson Springs 15 12 25 13 — 67
Caldwell County (4-12, 1-2)—Tripp Branch 47, Tate VanHooser 11, Zavy Bumphus 6, Carter Whittington 4, Demaurius Thompson 2, Giovante Riley 2.
Dawson Springs (0-8, 0-2)—Landon Pace 28, Rett Nieters 23, Logan McKnight 11, Gage Smiley 3, Robert Bullock 2.
