Richmond KY March 10th

Lexington Catholic  (24-7)  vs.  Scott County (28-3) (Championship)  -  6-3 So. Taylor Martin hit two free throws with 3.8 seconds remaining on the clock to give Lexington Catholic a 68-67 victory over Scott County.  Scott County gave a courageous effort despite the absence of 6-8 Sr. Richie Phares (18ppg, 9rpg) who suffered a season ending ACL injury in a semifinal win.

Lexington Catholic raced out to an 8-0 lead but Scott County rallied to take a 13-12 lead at the end of the first quarter on a basket by Chad Jackson.  The game was back-and forth in the second quarter but Lexington Catholic took a 33-32 lead at the intermission on a basket by Tanner Peurach.  Scott County took a 54-47 lead in the third quarter but Lexington Catholic fought back and tied the game on a three point bomb at the buzzer by Scott Schuette.  The game remained close in the final quarter but Scott County took a late 67-64 lead.  Taylor Botkin cut the deficit to one; 67-66 with a field goal.  Scott County went down, missed a tough shot in the lane and a putback and LexCath got the ball with 28.5 seconds on the clock.  The Knights ran down the clock setting the stage for Martin's late seconds heroics.

Lexington Catholic shot 47.5% from the field including five of 14 from the three point line.  The Knights connected on seven of 12 free throws, pulled down 26 rebounds, and scored 18 points off 17 Scott County turnovers.  Scott County shot 45.3% from the field including seven of 13 from beyond the arc.  The Cardinals connected on 12 of 18 free throws, pulled down 39 rebounds, and scored 17 points off 11 Lexington Catholic turnovers. 

6-3 Sr. Vee Sanford led Lexington Catholic with 26 points.  6-3 Sr. Taylor Botkin and 6-0 Fr. Jaylen Beckham added 10 points each.  6-7 Jr. tanner Peurach battled inside all night recording six points and eight blocked shots.

6-2 Jr. Ge-Lawn Guyn led Scott County with 31 points including three three point baskets.  6-4 Jr. Chad Jackson added 16 points and nine rebounds.  6-8 Jr. Dakotah Euton recorded 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Lexington Catholic   12  21  24  11  -  68

Scott County            13  19  25  10  -  67

Lexington Catholic  (68)  -  Martin 8, Schuette 8, Peurach 6, Botkin 10, Sanford 26, Beckham 10.

Scott County  (67)  -  Guyn 31, Ivey 3, Euton 13, Manning 4, Jackson 16.

Congratulations to both teams for putting on a classic tonight before a loud and supportive crowd.  Also best wishes on a successful surgery and a speedy recovery for the warrior Richie Phares.

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Carrington Roberts  (Madison Southern)

Vance Hall  (Franklin County)

T.J. Barnes  (Henry Clay)

J.T. Riddle  (Western Hills)

Mike Walker  (Lafayette)

Keshawn Simpson  (Madison Central)

Tanner Napier  (Lafayette)

Tyler Mays  (Madison Central)

Dakotah Euton  (Scott County)

Taylor Botkin  (Lexington Catholic)

Ge-Lawn Guyn  (Scott County)

Tanner Peurach  (Lexington Catholic)

Chad Jackson  (Scott County)

Taylor Martin  (Lexington Catholic)

Vee Sanford  (Lexington Catholic)  MVP

A special thanks to WL Stats and the Scott County stats crew for their invaluable help during this tournament.  Also a special thanks to Madison Central for hosting the tourney and to David Parke of Eastern Kentucky University for the hospitality extended me during the tourney.