Tigers fall to Boyle County in state tournament's first round

Paintsville guard Braxton Tharp (4) concluded his senior season in the KHSAA Boys' Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington on Thursday, April 1. Tharp is pictured prior to an opening round game in the 57th District Boys' Basketball Tournament at Magoffin County High School in March. Photo courtesy of Jim Arnett

STAFF REPORT

BSN

LEXINGTON — Paintsville faltered in the second half as Boyle County pulled away to win 70-56 in the Boys' Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena on Thursday, April 1.

Following the loss, Paintsville ended its season 15-9.

Battling back from behind, Boyle County doubled up Paintsville 30-15 in the fourth quarter to pull off the come-from-behind win.

Paintsville suffered the season-ending loss after taking a single-digit lead out of each of the first three quarters.

The champion out of the 15th Region, Paintsville outscored Boyle County 19-14 in the first quarter. The Tigers led 27-22 at halftime and clung to a 41-40 lead at the conclusion of the third period.

Paintsville owned an 11-point lead midway through the third quarter prior to Boyle County battling back.

Luke Sheperson led Boyle County, scoring a game-high 25 points for the Rebels.

Joining Sheperson in double figures for the Rebels, Jagger Gillis netted 19 points and Luke Imfeld added 17 points.

Colby Fugate and Connor Fugate scored 16 points apiece to pace Paintsville.

Accompanying two of his teammates in double figures, Braxton Tharp netted 10 points for the Tiger.

The other results from the other opening round games in the Boys' Sweet 16 were as follows: Elizabethtown 87, Knott County Central 59; George Rogers Clark 54, Oldham County 47; Ballard 70, Madison Central 61; Bowling Green 85, University Heights 57; Ashland 56, Knox Central 38; McCracken County 68, Bullitt East 56; Highlands 88, Muhlenberg County 60.