Buckley’s Creek, Ky. — The Lawrence Co. Bulldogs ( 23-10 ) are headed to Rupp Arena after a 97-84 victory over Martin Co. ( 21-9 ) to win the 15th region basketball tournament championship on Tuesday at Pike Co. Central High School.
15th Region Champs pose with the cheerleaders and the student section
Hayden Perry had a team high 24 points 12 rebounds, 3 assists and went 9 of 10 from the free throw line, Kaiden Harris tallied 23 points 3 rebounds and 3 assists, Gunnar Woods netted 20 points including 4 three pointers 9 rebounds and 5 assists, Kaden Johnson 18 points 7 rebounds, 6 steals and 3 assists, Caden Muncy added 7 points 4 steals, 3 rebounds and 3 assists Braxton Davis 3 points and Luke Fetherolf chipped in with 2 points 7 rebounds and 2 steals.
After leaving the game and changing his jersey because of blood MVP Kaden Johnson comes back and drills a three pointer in front of the Bulldog student section.
The Dawgs hit 10 three pointers and went 21 for 24 from the free throw line.
Parker Watts had a game high 29 points, Peyton Davis had 23 points, Devin Maynard 12 points, Bryson Dials 8 points, Braydon Estep 7 points Eli Mills 3 points, Aiden Copeland 2 points.
The Cardinals hit 12 three pointers and went 14 of 18 from the free throw line.
MCHS 22 10 26 26 – 84
LCHS 26 21 28 22 – 97
15th Region All-Tournament team and Most Valuable Player
Gunnar Woods, Hayden Perry, MVP Kaden Johnson, Luke Fetherolf, Kaiden Harris
Lawrence Co. is the first school to lose in the District opener and win a Region Championship.
The Bulldogs will square off with the 10th Region champ on Thursday March 27th at 1:30 inside Rupp Arena.
The Semifinals of the 10th region tournament will pit host Montgomery Co. vs Mason Co. and Nicholas Co. vs Clark Co. on Monday March 17th with the Championship game slated for March 19th.
Bulldog Head Coach Thompson cutting down the nets.
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Chandler Thompson
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Man, I don’t know what’s going through my mind honestly I’m just trying to process everything. After the District loss to Prestonsburg we had a team meeting the next day and it was the most genuine team meeting that I have ever been a part of. They spoke from the heart for about 30 minutes and I just listened. And it’s been special ever since, the things they said they just didn’t say it, they meant it. To a man they said we want to make a run and I said if you lie to yourself. you’re the only one going to know it. And they didn’t and it has been an awesome ride. I can’t say enough about our team, our coaches, the administrators, the fans, it’s been a joy ride and surreal to me. I truly believe that meeting is why we are here. Everyone counted us out and all we have is each other. We stuck together and now we are headed to Rupp.”
“… You get deep into the season and you can kill their will a little early it helps you in the long run. And we have done better in the last 12-15 days than we have all year. Two months ago when a team went a on a run we couldn’t answer it. We have faced some tough runs the last four games and it has made us tougher. We are able to stop a run at eight points instead of letting it get to a 14-0 run and be out of the game. And that is what it takes, hats off to these boys for getting the job done.”
