Tigers top Golden Eagles to win 57th District boys' title
Tigers top Golden Eagles to win 57th District boys' title
STAFF REPORT
BSN
SALYERSVILLE — Braxton Tharp delivered a game-high double-double to lead Paintsville over crosstown rival Johnson Central 84-73 in double overtime in the 57th District Boys' Basketball Tournament title game at Magoffin County High School on Friday, March 19.
Tharp scored 31 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to carry the Tigers to the victory. He was 12-of-14 from the free throw line.
Paintsville shot 46 percent (29-of-63) from the field. The Tigers were 3-of-17 from 3-point range.
Regulation ended with the two familiar boys' high school basketball foes tied 56-56. The two 57th District boys' basketball teams were deadlocked 71-71 at the conclusion of the first overtime. Taking control in the second extra period, Paintsville outscored Johnson Central 13-2 to pull out the win.
Paintsville, which featured four scorers in double figures, shot 71.9 percent (23-of-32) from the free throw line.
The Tigers outrebounded the Golden Eagles 47-31.
Following Tharp, Connor Fugate scored 20 points and snatched 10 rebounds for the Tigers.
Jaxon Watts netted 11 points for the Tigers while Colby Fugate finished with 10 points.
Nearly recording a double-double for Paintsville, Baron Ratliff added eight points and 10 rebounds.
Johnson Central shot 34.2 percent (25-of-73) the field. The Golden Eagles were 9-of-36 (25 percent) from 3-point range.
Johnson Central shot 73.7 percent (14-of-19) from the free throw line.
Cory VanHoose scored 27 points to pace the Golden Eagles. VanHoose was 10-of-13 from inside the arc.
Finishing directly behind VanHoose, Isaiah May scored 26 points for the Golden Eagles.
Finishing one long range shot short of reaching double figures for Johnson Central, Ryleh McKenzie netted seven points.
VanHoose and McKenzie were Johnson Central's top rebounders, pulling down eight rebounds apiece.
Both Paintsville and Johnson Central advanced to the 15th Region Boys' Basketball Tournament at Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville.