If Hopkinsville was rusty after a month between games it was difficult to tell.
Hopkinsville scored the first nine points of the night as part of a 25-3 run to open Thursday’s game at Caldwell County.
Hoptown put 30 points on the scoreboard in the first period alone and finished the game shooting 66 percent from the floor.
When the dust had settled, Hopkinsville owned a 78-47 victory on Caldwell County’s Senior Night at the CAB gym in Princeton.
Caldwell (4-13) struggled mightily against Hopkinsville’s full-court pressure — especially early in the contest.
Hoptown (3-2) forced 11 first-quarter turnovers while building its big lead.
The orange-and-black Tigers led Caldwell 30-7 after one period and stretched the margin to 48-20 at halftime.
The blue-and-gold Tigers settled down somewhat in the second half, but still saw Hoptown reach the 35-point mercy rule in the third quarter for continuous clock the rest of the game.
Hopkinsville led 71-34 through three quarters and took its biggest lead at 75-37 midway through the final stanza.
Alijah Watts led a balanced scoring attack for Hoptown with 19 points. Arthur McKnight added 13 points, six assists and five steals. Jamarcus Burks tallied 11 points and Daisjaun Mercer had 10.
Because of COVID and snow, Hopkinsville had not played since a 55-51 setback to Webster County on Jan. 26.
Caldwell senior Tripp Branch had a game-high 21 points and is now just 20 points away from reaching 1,000 career points.
Hoptown will go to McCracken County on Friday night.
Caldwell plays again on Saturday night when it hosts Dawson Springs for Homecoming.
Hopkinsville 30 18 23 7 — 78
Caldwell County 7 13 14 13 — 47
Hopkinsville (3-2)—Alijah Watts 19, Arthur McKnight 13, Jamarcus Burks 11, Daisjaun Mercer 10, Reece Jesse 8, Keimarion Smith 7, K.C. Cabiness 4, Kaden West 2, Isaiah Manning 2, Jakob Gavin 2.
Caldwell County (4-13)—Tripp Branch 21, Collin Whittington 8, Blake Vivrette 7, Giovante Riley 4, Carter Whittington 3, Isaiah Joyner 2, Zavy Bumphus 2.
