Lexington Catholic vs. Lafayette (Boys) 43rd District Tournament Championship February 28, 2014
Topic: Basketball

43^rd District Tournament (Championship)

Lexington Catholic vs. Lafayette (Boys)

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School

Lexington, KY

February 28, 2014

 

 Lexington Catholic coach Brandon Salsman started the following lineup: 6-5 Jr. Tanner Johnson, 6-3 Jr. Reese Ryan, 6-7 Sr. Robert Dence, 5-10 Jr. Michael Talbott, and 6-2 Jr. Jarod Griffin.  Lafayette coach Mike Mendenhall III countered with 6-6 So. Ross Jenkins, 6-4 Sr. Lance Blakley, 6-9 Sr. Jackson Davis, 5-10 So. Harrison Lane, and 5-11 Sr. Dequise Robinson.

Lexington Catholic claimed the district championship in a classic battle by a score of 83-80 in a double overtime thriller.  There were 10 lead changes and 12 ties in this game.  Jackson Davis hit a fall back three point bank shot in the closing second of regulation to tie the game at 61-61 and force overtime.  Lexington Catholic’s 5-10 So. Donovan Morris hit a three pointer at the buzzer to tie the score at 68-68 and force a second overtime.  Michael Talbott hit two insurance free throws in the closing second of the second overtime to ensure the victory.

Lexington Catholic shot 46.8% from the field including nine of 23 from the three point line.  The Knights connected on 16 of 24 free throws, pulled down 38 rebounds, and scored 15 points off 19 Lafayette turnovers.  Lafayette shot 40% from the field including nine of 27 from beyond the arc.  The Generals connected on 15 of 23 free throws, pulled down 47 rebounds, and scored 16 points off 17 Lexington Catholic turnovers.

Tanner Johnson led Lexington Catholic with 24 points including four three point baskets, 13 rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots, and three steals.  Michael Talbott added 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.  Jarod Griffin also scored 16 points including four three point baskets  before leaving the game late with a wrist injury.  Reese Ryan chipped in with nine points and eight rebounds.  Robert Dence recorded nine points, five rebounds, and four blocked shots.  Donovan Morris came off the bench to add nine points and four steals.

Jackson Davis recorded a phenomenal performance tonight for Lafayette with 32 points, 31 rebounds, and five blocked shots.  Lance Blakley added 15 points including three three point baskets.  6-1 Jr. Lucky Jackson chipped in with 13 points and Harrison Lane recorded nine points on three three point baskets.

 

Lexington Catholic,21,11,15,14,7,15,83

Lafayette,14,18,11,18,7,12,80

 

Lexington Catholic (83) – Johnson 24, Ryan 9, Dence 9, Talbott 16, Griffin 16, Morris 9.

 

Lafayette (80) – R. Jenkins 0, Blakley 15, Davis 32, Lane 9, Robinson 2, Hall 2, Carpenter 7, Jackson 13.

 

All Tournament Team

 

Jordan Fucci,Tates Creek

Darius Williams, Paul Laurence Dunbar

Drew Trimble,Lexington Christian Academy

Lucky Jackson,Lafayette

Jackson Davis,Lafayette

Jarod Griffin,Lexington Catholic

Tanner Johnson,Lexington Catholic

Michael Talbott,Lexington Catholic,MVP

 

Acknowledgements:

 

A special thanks to WL Stats for providing the comprehensive statistics for tonight’s game.