For the second straight season, the Logan County Cougars have won the championship of the 13th District Freshman Tournament. Kevin Rayno has been the coach both years, this time assisted by Jerry Epley.
The first game was a challenge. The Cougars beat Russellville 52-44, even though Russellville employed the services of Jacob Naylor, who is a part-time varsity starter and a frequent double-figures scorer.
Naylor didn’t disappoint. He scored a game-high 19 points, 10 of them coming in the fourth quarter. It was a big final period for the Panthers, with Anthony Woodard scoring 9 of his 16 points in the frame.
Logan County had a much more balanced attack. Tommy Krohn scored 14, Third Bell 10 and Caden McKinnis 8 with five other Cougars scoring.
The Cougars built their lead in the second quarter, outscoring RHS 12-4 to build a 26-13 halftime margin. Bell, Krohn and McKinnis all had six points at the intermission.
Logan hit 8 of 11 free throws for the game with Krohn going 4 of 5. Kelby Epley was 2 of 2.
The Cougars then faced Todd County in the finals and won 43-27.
Again Logan showed its skill at the line, hitting 14 of 20 free throws. Anthony Dancer went 5 for 5, Zach Fuller and Epley 3 of 3 each, and McKinnis 2 of 2.
And, again, it was balanced scoring for the Cougars with Epley scoring 9, Dancer 7, and McKinnis and Krohn 6 each. Another five teammates were in the scoring column.
Clayte Weathers and Burks each scored 8 to lead the Rebels.
OPENING ROUND
Score by Quarters: 1) LCHS 14-9, 2) 26-13, 3) 26-22, Final) Logan County 52, Russellville 44
LCHS (52) Tommy Krohn 14, Third Bell 10, Caden McKinnis 8, Anthony Dancer 6, Sydney Johnson 5, Jacob Smock 4, Kelby Epley 4, Zack Fuller 1
RHS (44) Jacob Naylor 19, Anthony Woodard 16, Elijah Kemp 6, Shawn Steele 2, Parker Jones 1, Eli Anderson
FINALS
Score by Quarters: 1) 10-0, 2) 25-8, 3) 26-13, Final) Logan County 43, Todd Central 27
LCHS (43) Epley 9, Dancer 7, McKinnis 6, Krohn 6, Bell 5, Dontavius Bland 4, Fuller 3, Reggie Powell 2, Johnson 1, Smock
TODD (27) Clayte Weathers 8, Burks 8, Martin 6, Mimms 3, Majors 2, Bell