The Times-Tribune
CORBIN —
By Les Dixon/Sports Editor
JACKSON COUNTY — Knox Central’s Matthew Barger came up big with a 28-point effort to lead the Panthers past Wolfe County Saturday, 66-55, in the PRTC Classic.
“I thought we played OK,” Knox Central coach Brian Evans said. “The big thing is that we were able to get to 2-0 on the season. They were a pretty good team that really played us well.
“We did a real good job against them and held them scoreless during the first five minutes of the third quarter,” he added. “They made a run at the end of the quarter, but we were able to hit our free throws in the fourth quarter to pull away. This was a good game for us because our young guys are learning new roles and this is helping them.”
The game was close throughout, as Knox Central led 13-9 after the first quarter and 30-21 at halftime. The Panthers held a 42-33 lead going into the fourth quarter before wrapping up the win from the free-throw line while remaining unbeaten in the process at 2-0 on the season.
PRTC Classic
Knox Central 66, Wolfe County 55
Knox Central 13 17 12 24 66
Wolfe County 9 12 12 22 55
Knox Central (66) — Hensley 5, Adams 11, Marsee 16, Barger 28, Wilburn 1, Merida 5.
Wolfe County (55) — not available.
HAZARD — Jerry Overbey’s Whitley County Colonels struggled finding the basket during Saturday’s 77-32 loss to 14th Region power Hazard.
The Colonels (1-1) only trailed 17-12 at the end of the first quarter, but were outscored 60-20 the remainder of the game, including 33-12 during the game’s final 16 minutes.
The Bulldogs used a 27-8 run during the second quarter to build a comfortable 44-20 cushion at halftime. Hazard continued to dominate in the third quarter and used an 18-8 run to put the game away.
Boston Bryant led Whitley County with a 10-point scoring effort, as the Colonels will be back in action Thursday on the road against 50th District rival South Laurel.
Hazard 77, Whitley County 32
Whitley County 12 8 8 4 32
Hazard 17 27 18 15 77
Whitley County (32) — Powers 2, Lawson 4, Bryant 10, D. Rutherford 2, Z. Rutherford 8, Hale 4, Sasko 2.
Hazard (77) — Hollan 11, Hardy 4, Triplett 9, Mobelini 7, Hall 6, Thompson 2, Hudson 12, Whitaker 13, Combs 4, Olinger 3, Flone 2, Haynes 2, Hughes 2.
JACKSON COUNTY — The Barbourville Lady Tigers are off to their best start since the 2007-08 season after they defeated Jackson County Saturday, 62-28.
The Lady Tigers are a perfect 3-0 after jumping out to a 22-4 lead in the first quarter against the Lady Generals and never looking back.
Barbourville led 38-16 at halftime and outscored Jackson County 14-0 during the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
Kara Erslan led the Lady Tigers with an 18-point effort while Kelsey Erslan added 10 points during the 34-point win. Tyra Bunch finished the game with eight points, seven assists and two steals.
Barbourville shot 50 percent from the floor (27-of-54) while limiting Jackson County to 33 percent shooting (11-of-33). The Lady Tigers also outrebounded the Lady Generals, 26-17 while forcing Jackson County into 23 turnovers.
Barbourville 62, Jackson County 28
Barbourville 22 16 14 10 62
Jackson County 4 12 0 12 28
Barbourville (62) — Ka. Erslan 18, Ke. Erslan 10, Mills 9, Bunch 8, Hicks 6, Liford 4.
Jackson County (28) — Rose 11, Madden 11, Adkins 4, Crowe 2.
