Less than 24 hours after they had both lost close games at Russellville, Logan County’s basketball teams bounced back to record close wins Saturday afternoon. The Cougars beat visiting Muhlenberg County 71-70 in overtime, and the Lady Cougars won 46-41 at Warren East.
Ben Wright rebounded his own miss on an inbounds play for what proved to be the winning basket in overtime. The Mustangs (5-10) got off a shot but missed. Cougar center Taylor Blakemore had been a little out of his comfort zone when he shot a 3-pointer in an attempt to win in regulation.
The Cougars had to overcome a dismal second quarter. They trailed only 13-12 after a quarter, but MC won the second quarter 22-4 to take a 35-16 lead into the intermission. By the end of the third quarter, the Cougars had cut the margin by six, and they dominated the fourth quarter 24-11 to force the extra four minutes. They had just come off an overtime loss to Russellville the night before and a three-overtime loss to University Heights Academy eighth days earlier.
Coach Lonnie Mason used his entire bench in this game, with most players seeing action in the first half.
Junior guard Landon Stratton played only 11 minutes after having gone 31 a few hours earlier. A lingering knee injury makes it difficult for him to play on consecutive days. Wright played 27 minutes while Adam Wilkins, who had earned his first start with his play against the Panthers, and senior Torin Graham each played 26 minutes. Blakemore was on the court 25 minutes. Clint Knight, a starter early in the season who has missed several games with an injury, and sophomore Tucker Baldwin each played 14. Eight other players saw between three and eight minutes action.
Wright scored 18 points while Graham and Blakemore added 15 each. Blakemore had 10 rebounds and J.R. Morrow 5 as the Cougars outrebounded their guests 33-26. Graham had 4 assists and Baldwin made 3 steals.
The Mustangs’ Dakota McKinney led all scorers with 25 points. Zack Tarter pulled down 10 rebounds for Coach Tony Hopper’s team.
The Lady Cougars came back from an 8-point halftime deficit to beat the Lady Raiders, thanks to a 51-26 rebounding domination. Sophomore Meagann Hardison hit two of her four 3-pointers early in the third quarter as Coach Scot MacAllister’s team tied the game.
The game was tight the rest of the way. Lady Raider Deborah Young tied the score at 41-41 with 2:45 remaining, but Coach Aaron Richmond’s team never scored again.
Hardison finished with 16 points and 8 rebounds while fellow sophomore Kapreshia Powell had 8 points and 5 rebounds. Junior forward Megan Lindsey had 6 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Eight Lady Cougars scored. East’s Justice Martin was the game’s top scorer with 17 points.
GIRLS
Score by quarters: 1) LCHS 11-8, 2) East 27-19, 3) LCHS 37-35, Final) Logan County 46, Warren East 41
LCHS (46) Meagann Hardison 16, Kapreshia Powell 8, Megan Lindsey 6, Abbey Hinton 6, Taleia Mason 4, Deja Thompson 2, Katelyn Jones 2, Rachel Barnett 2
EAST (41) Justice Martin 17, Deborah Young 9, Erin Houchens 5, Brooklyn Gilbert 5, Dayione Bibb 3, Jill Renfro 2
BOYS
Score by quarters: 1) MCHS 13-12, 2) 35-16, 3) 49-36, 4) 60-60, Final) Logan County 71, Muhlenberg County 70
MCHS (70) Dakota McKinney 25, Kaleb Rolley 14, Chad Zoellick 12, Braxton Drake 7, Chase Deason 7, Courtney Hampton 3, Will Broady 2, Zack Tarter
LCHS (71) Ben Wright 18, Taylor Blakemore 15, Torin Graham 15, Adam Wilkins 9, Tucker Baldwin 8, J.R. Morrow 4, Clint Knight 2, Tahmir Graham, Landon Stratton, Jackson Wells, John Wilson Coots, Cody McLellan, Noah Whttinghill, Ryan Basham, Chris Neal