16th Region boys quarters: Lions deliver heat check, defeat Raiders

Mar. 6—MOREHEAD — Cool air circulated inside Johnson Arena but the heat had been turned up on the floor.

Boyd County increased its defensive pressure after halftime, forcing six East Carter turnovers and turning a slim advantage into a 10-point lead early in the third quarter.

The Raiders managed to fan the flames, cutting the Lions lead to four to start the fourth frame but Boyd County separated itself with free throws down the stretch for a 60-52 win on Wednesday.

"It was basically what our halftime was about," Boyd County coach Randy Anderson said. "It's time for us to go to (our) heat. Don't worry about your fouls but worry about your energy. We had very active hands. It gave us a little cushion where we could breathe a little bit."

The Lions had just three field goals in the fourth quarter and withstood a hot shooting night from East Carter. The Raiders shot 59% from the field (20 of 34) but could not overcome the Lions' surge to start the second half.

"They are such a great team," East Carter coach Cole Brammer said. "You don't just become the region favorite on paper. They have earned it. We knew that we were trying to knock off the top team tonight. We had to be perfect. Unfortunately, we did let the game get away from us in the third quarter. But we never had any quit. Our kids haven't had any quit all season."

Rhett Holbrook provided plenty of energy for the Lions and started heating up beyond the arc as the Boyd County defense intensified. He splashed two 3-pointers to begin the second half. Jason Ellis, Cole Hicks and Jacob Spurlock scored around the rim to give the Lions a 37-27 lead.

"He hit two big ones," Anderson said of Holbrook. "In the second half, he missed a couple and his role then became drive that thing. He's been very coachable. He does things that are not on the stat sheet. He usually guards the other team's best perimeter guy. He did a good job on Goodman."

"I thought Griffin Taylor was really huge tonight," he added. "I don't know if he had a turnover but he really took care of the ball and got us in what we needed to. He made big-time free throws. With each game, our guys have grown more confident."

The Lions went 13 of 16 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter, including nine of 10 inside the final minute after Spurlock fouled out.

"We've talked about it all year long," Anderson said. "We did not shoot free throws very well at all. During the season, we kept creeping up to 70%. It was always our goal. Tonight, we were able to get it in the right people's hands. I am so thankful that they could."

Blake Hall did all he could to keep the Raiders within striking distance down the stretch. The senior scored seven of his game-high 26 points in the final eight minutes. Evan Goodman and William Burton each had seven points for East Carter (17-13).

"I knew they would give all they had," Brammer said. "There weren't too many things I could promise coming into this game when you are playing a team of that caliber and their offense. I knew one thing was for sure. Our kids were going to leave it all on the floor and give everything they had. I am extremely proud of them. It's been an honor to coach them."

Boyd County (26-6) placed three players in double figures. Taylor posted 14 points. Holbrook supplied 12 points and Spurlock had 10.

East Carter set the tempo in the first half and took its time with each offensive possession. Tate Scott hit from the wing and Hall finished a hard drive at the rim to give the Raiders a 17-16 lead early in the second quarter.

"You come up with a game plan," Brammer said. "In your mind, you think it's going to work but it takes the kids to go out and do what it takes to put it on the line. They have to buy into the game plan 100%. Two years in a row, our kids bought in."

"I think there were only 21 possessions in the first half," Anderson added. "They do such a great job and they did it to us last year. They would have one-and-a-half, two-minute possessions and then they get a back cut. Blake Hall had a phenomenal game. ... It seems like someone always has a career game down here."

The Lions responded quickly with seven straight points. Drew Smith and Taylor scored around the basket and Spurlock cashed in a second-chance opportunity with a long triple.

Spurlock added another bucket before halftime, tallying through traffic in the paint after a missed shot.

Tate Scott added a pair of free throws for East Carter but Boyd County held the 25-21 advantage at halftime.

Taylor connected on four of his first five field goal attempts in the first two quarters. Hall was 6 of 7.

E CARTER FG FT REB TP

Goodman 2-10 2-3 5 7

Hall 11-13 3-4 4 26

Ty Scott 1-3 2-2 4 4

Johnson 0-0 0-0 2 0

Ta. Scott 1-1 2-2 2 4

Steele 0-0 0-0 0 0

Layne 1-1 0-0 0 2

McGuire 0-0 0-0 0 0

Menix 0-0 0-0 0 0

Tussey 1-1 0-0 0 2

Burton 3-5 0-0 3 7

Sexton 0-0 0-0 0 0

Team 3

TOTAL 20-34 9-11 23 52

FG Pct: 58.8 FT Pct: 81.8 3-point Fgs: 3-8 (Goodman 1-4, Hall 1-2, Ty Scott 0-1, Burton 1-1) PF: 22. Fouled out: None. Tournovers: 16.

BOYD CO. FG FT REB TP

Hicks 3-4 0-0 3 6

Spurlock 4-11 1-2 1 10

Ellis 4-4 1-3 4 9

Taylor 4-7 6-6 2 14

Holbrook 4-11 2-4 2 12

Smith 1-3 4-4 0 6

Martin 0-1 3-4 3 3

Team 2

TOTAL 20-41 17-23 17 60

FG Pct: 48.8. FT Pct: 73.9. 3-point Fgs: 3-13 (Hicks 0-1, Spurlock 1-5, Holbrook 2-6, Martin 0-1) PF: 15. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: 5.

E. CARTER 13 8 13 18 — 52

BOYD CO. 16 9 15 20 — 60

Officials: Brian Sandlin, Tony Pompilio, Tim O'Hara