Hart County Downs AC-S 64-56
Allen County-Scottsville senior Jackson Morris (24) scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds on December 17. His efforts were not enough as Hart County defeated AC-S 64-56. (File photo by Ina Elmore).
By Dom Meador,
Sports Writer
The Hart County Raiders used a 13-2 run over two minutes late in the first half to pull away from Allen County-Scottsville–a run that proved instrumental in Hart County’s 64-56 win on December 17 in the 2A Section 2 semifinals at Patriot Gym.
Overall, the match-up between the Raiders and Patriots was close through the 32-minute contest. Hart County led 19-15 to start the second period. A Weston Adams three-point bucket pulled AC-S to within a point early in the frame. The Raiders countered with a quick burst to take a 24-18 lead at the six minute mark. A basket by Chase Ross, and two buckets from Jackson Morris tied the game at 24 with 3:39 left before the half. A Kyler Pedigo four-point play–-a made three-pointer and a free throw after being fouled on the shot–gave the hosts a 28-24 lead at the 2:23 point of the period.
Hart County quickly reeled off four consecutive points to tie the score. Morris’ hoop enabled AC-S to regain a 30-28 lead before three conductive three-pointers from the Raiders lifted the visitors to a 37-30 lead. A pair of Pedigo free throws stopped the bleeding as AC-S pulled to within five at halftime.
AC-S struggled to score in the third frame. The Patriots missed nine of their 15 shot attempts yet stayed within striking distance because of six points on second chance opportunities. The Raiders shot 66.7 percent in the period from the floor and five of seven at the line. As a result, Hart County owned a 52-45 lead to start the final quarter.
Patriot guard Chase Ross will lead AC-S into the Caveland Classic this week. AC-S opens play on December 26 at the eight-team tournament hoisted by Edmonson County. (File photo by Ina Elmore).
The Patriots closed to within seven twice in the final eight minutes. Again, shooting woes plagued AC-S as the Patriots missed 10 of their 15 shots. Hart County was six of 10 from the floor in the quarter on their way to the 64-56 win.
Two Patriots carried the offensive load for AC-S. Pedigo finished with 17 points and five assists. Morris added 15 points and six rebounds. Ross added eight points while De’Antre Grainger contributed eight points and six rebounds in 15 minutes of action.
The Patriots were 22-54 (40.7 percent) from the field in the game–including three three-point shots. Hart County (3-3) was 23-41 from the floor (56.1 percent). AC-S made nine of 13 free throws while Hart County was 10-15 from the stripe. The board battle went to AC-S 27-26.
AC-S (2-2) has four games in three days upcoming. Thursday, Barren County (1-5) visits Patriot Gym for a District 15 battle. The Trojans have struggled, suffering losses to Green County, Caverna, Warren East, LaRue County, and South Warren.
Friday, December 20, the Patriots play the Edmonson County Wildcats (3-4) in the first game of the Apollo Eagle Classic in Owensboro. Game time is 7 p.m. Saturday, AC-S faces Apollo (5-2) at noon and squares off against Russell County (3-3) at 3 p.m. in the final tournament game. The Patriots will be off until Thursday, Dec.º 26 when they play Edmonson County again in the first game of the Rafferty’s/Double Dogs Caveland Classic at Brownsville.
