November 29- Day three began with West Greene versus Campbell County. This was was a back-and-forth contest during the first period with the Cougars leading by one point at 18-17. During the second period, the Cougars added five quick points. West Greene rallied and took the lead, but the Cougars clawed back and led by three at the half, 36-33. The third period opened up with the Cougars dropping the three-ball and extending their lead to 42-36. The Buffs went on a run and got it down to a single point, but with 2:32 remaining in the third, the Cougars again led, this time by six at 47-41. The third period ended 50-46 with Campbell County remaining on top. West Greene slowed the Cougars offense with stingy and effective 2-3 zone during the final period. With two and a half minutes left, the Cougars led 57-52. At the final buzzer, it was Campbell County winning 66-54. The Cougars were led in scoring by Luke Browning and Jake Hatmaker both with 16. Keenan Nelson also scored in double-figures with 10. Ayden Lamons was exceptional for the Buffs. He scored 19. Sam Wisecarver also reached double-figures with 14.
The second game featured the hosting Bulldogs of Claiborne High versus Hancock’s Indians. The Indians scored the first four points of the game, but Claiborne tied it at four. The 4-4 tie remained until the 1:40 mark. The Indians hit two free throws, making the score 6-4. The game was getting a little too physical, and the officials were beginning to call it close to the book. At the end of one, Hancock led 11-7. The scoring didn’t get any quicker at the start of the second period. With 5:50 left in the opening half, the score was 13-7.
Hancock opened it up somewhat at the end of the second period. They pulled out to a 22-7 advantage with just under three minutes left in the half. At the half, the Indians led 24-11. Although Claiborne tried to make a run, the Indians just kept scoring. They extended their lead out to 31-15. Claiborne struggled to get a run together and was down after three, 43-28. Claiborne had a stretch where they played better, but Hancock kept playing great defense and scoring on offense. Hancock won the game, 56-40. Leading Hancock in scoring was Isaiah Christian-Fodor with 19. Brady Swiney had 12, and Nason Delph finished with 10. Kole Holt led Claiborne with 11, and Colton Jones also hit double-figures with 10.
The third game featured Cumberland Gap and Lakeway on the winners’ side of the bracket. Scoring was fast during the start of this one. Lakeway liked the fast pace and pulled out to a 16-3 lead with 4:00 left in the opening period. The Panthers had a late run that got them right back into the game at 20-16. Playing with the lead, the Lions got a steal and hit two free throws on the other end. The Lions extended their advantage out to 31-19 with just under four minutes left in the half. The halftime score was 41-24 in favor of the Lions. Lakeway kept finding the net during the third period and, by the five-minute mark, led 52-29. The Lions remained on fire, shooting the basketball, and after three periods, Lakeway led 61-38. The Lions went to the bench heavy during the final period but kept scoring. Cumberland Gap lost their first game of the season by the final score of 81-40. Leading the Lions in scoring was Jaleel Ali with 22, Owen McGoldrick had 20. Two others finished in double-figures, Ethan Woolard with 10 and Ivan Moskalenko also with 10. Kolton Goins led the Panthers with 15, and Gavin Barton had 12.
The final game of day three was the Scott County Highlanders versus Northview Academy. Northview opened up with a 6-0 run. The pace was fast, but the ball wasn’t finding the net. Northview inched away to an 11-4 advantage just under the three-minute mark of the opening period, but going into the second period, Scott County found themselves down, 17-9. The Highlanders struggled keeping up with Northview and at the half led 33-21. During the third, the Highlanders found scoring in the paint, but Northview stayed out front and led 51-33. The Cougars ended with a 66-45 victory. Leading Northview in scoring was Peyton White with 15, Jaylen Stolz had 13, and Aiden Boivin had 12. Scott County was led by Wyatt Lloyd with 15, and Isaiah Washam had 12. All scores ate unofficial.
The tournament ends Saturday with four more games. Enjoy the photos by The Zone- AE.
