Phil Todd has built championship teams and a winning basketball program at Russellville High School based on defense. Todd’s Panthers allowed 104 points in a recent game with two opponents totaling 71. And Russellville won.
RHS’ 110-104 double overtime win over University Heights Academy Tuesday was not your typical Phil Todd victory. He’ll take it anyway. It was key in the Panthers’ finishing second in the Paducah Tilghman Christmas Tournament Dec. 21-22.
Pedro Bradshaw scored 33 points to lead the Panthers by hitting 19 of 24 free throws including 6 of 6 in the overtimes. Jaylin McMurry went 6 of 8 from the line on the way to 22 points. Jason Mitchell scored 19, freshman Jacob Naylor 15 and Shon Kees 13. Micah Naylor scored all 6 of his points in the second overtime. Bradshaw and Kees fouled out.
Dekeyvan Tandy had 39 points and Travion Hollowell 32 for Coach Grant Shouse‘s Blazers. Taquan Hollowell added 16. UHA hit 21 of 31 free throws with Tandy going 10 of 12.
Tilghman 70, RHS 56
The Panthers lost their tournament opener to host Tilghman, which ran its record to 9-0 with a 70-44 win over Warren East Monday. Jerome Reed scored 18, Brandon Warfield 16 and Devon Hart 14 for the Blue Tornado.
Russellville didn’t release its statistics on this game.
RHS 72, Mayfield 53
Bradshaw scored 19 and Mitchell 18 in this win. Ten Panthers scored in this win, which sealed second place for Coach Todd’s team. Mitchell hit four 3-pointers with both Naylors and Kees hitting one each.
Carson Guthrie and Anton Lunson each scored 14 points for the Cardinals. Mayfield managed only 17 total rebounds.
Russellville plays its FSNB Christmas Classic opener Tuesday at noon against St. Mary at Jim Young Gymnasium.
RHS (110) Pedro Bradshaw 33, Jaylin McMurry 22, Jason Mitchell 19, Jacob Naylor 15, Shon Kees 13, Micah Naylor 6, Ricky Bellamy 2, Paul Jones
UHA (104) Dekeyvan Tandy 39, Travion Hollowell 32, Taquan Hollowell 16, Malik Lovan 8, Markus Montgomery 7, Jacorie Summers 2
The LoJo
RHS (72) Bradshaw 19, Mitchell 18, Kees 9, M. Naylor u, Bellamy 6, McMurry 4, J. Naylor 3, Jones 2, DeShawn Mason 2, Jacolbie Mason 2, Corey Dowlen
MHS (53) Carson Guthrie 14, Anton Lumson 14, Zach Tyler 10, Noel Roman 9, Michael Walker 3, Charles Jackson 2