Travis Perry scored 36 points in the 5th District title game Thursday. [Ashlyn Brown photo]
Lyon County overcame a slow start Monday to advance to the 5th District title game. There was no repeat performance in Thursday’s championship as the Lyons led wire-to-wire and beat Crittenden County 79-59 to claim the title at Trigg County.
The district title three-peat is the first for Lyon County since winning four straight from 1999-2002.
Four different players scored as the Lyons jumped out to a 12-2 lead. Crittenden got as close as six points, but turnovers kept the Rockets from getting any closer. Lyon’s zone trapping defense forced six turnovers in the first eight minutes, and they took advantage by converting them into 11 points. Those 11 points were the difference as the Lyons led 23-12 after one quarter.
Travis Perry scored nine points in the second quarter as the Lyons were able to keep Crittenden at bay. More importantly, they were able to keep Rocket guard Gabe Mott at bay. Mott scored 37 points in the semifinal win but didn’t score Thursday until 1:23 was left in the first half.
The Lyons led 37-25 and never let the Rockets get any closer in the second half in picking up their 22nd win of the season.
Perry hit 15 of 23 shots and finished with a game-high 36 points. Jackson Shoulders added 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Brady Shoulders had 10 points and seven rebounds.
Lyon County dished out 17 assists with Jack Reddick producing six dimes and nine points.
Preston Turley led Crittenden with 19 points and nine rebounds. Preston Morgeson hit four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points. Mott had eight points and six assists.
Both teams hit 50-percent of their shots, but Lyon County scored 24 points off 16 Rocket turnovers and hit 9 of 12 free throws. Crittenden was 2 of 6.
The district championship is the 21st for Lyon County, which ties Trigg County for the most titles among current 5th District schools.
Lyon County will host either Hopkinsville, Webster County, or Caldwell County Monday in the first round of the region tournament Monday. Crittenden County will travel to University Heights, Henderson County, or Madisonville as they look for its first win in the region tourney since 1957.
Crittenden County 12 13 11 23– 59
Lyon County 23 14 22 20– 79
Crittenden County [13-9] – Turley 19, Morgeson 16, Dobyns 9, Mott 8, Boone 5, Champion 2
Lyon County [22-3] – Perry 36, J. Shoulders 15, B. Shoulders 10, Reddick 9, Bingham 7, Gilbert 2
