Golden Eagles knock off Tigers 72-63

Johnson Central’s Ryan Rose (23) defended against Magoffin County’s Aden Barnett (2) during a 57th District boys’ basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Magoffin County held on to defeat Johnson Central 54-50. Photo courtesy of Jim Arnett

STAFF REPORT

BSN

PAINTSVILLE — Johnson Central knocked off crosstown rival Paintsville 72-63 in a 57th District boys’ basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 19.

The Golden Eagles shot 46.3 percent (25 of 54) from the field. Johnson Central shot 55.6 percent (five of nine) from three-point range.

The Golden Eagles shot 63 percent (17 of 27) from the free throw line.

Four Johnson Central players reached double figures in scoring.

Austin Slone scored a game-high 22 points to lead Johnson Central to the district win.

Following Slone in scoring for Johnson Central, Jacob Grimm netted 14 points.

Finishing directly behind Grimm, Ryan Rose and David Fink scored 13 points apiece for the Golden Eagles. Rose recorded a double-double, claiming a game-high 13 rebounds.

Delivering Johnson Central’s other scoring, Connor Hopkins and Mason Lawson chipped in six points and four points, respectively.

Paintsville shot 35.9 percent (23 of 64) from the field. The Tigers shot 32.4 percent (12 of 37) from three-point range.

Paintsville shot 50 percent (five of 10) from the free throw line.

Jase Kinner and Connor Fugate scored 21 points apiece to lead the Tigers. Fugate recorded a double-double, pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds.

Along with Kinner and Fugate reaching double figures for Paintsville, Ethan Cole netted 10 points.

Producing the rest of Paintsville’s individual scoring, Ethan Ward added seven points and Brock Woods contributed four.

Johnson Central is scheduled to host Paintsville for a 57th District boys’ basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 2.