Marshall County HoopFest – Day One Recap
by Chris Jung
BENTON, Kent. – Thursday night of HoopFest was set up for regional teams to put their teams on display. And the region’s top players that were so highly regarded heading into the games definitely did not disappoint.
Lone Oak v. Christian County
Playing the opening game for such a coveted event is a daunting task, but Lone Oak junior guard Chase Denson calmed the nerves of his Purple Flash teammates and helped fuel Lone Oak’s 72-61 win Thursday over Christian County.
Denson, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, scored 28 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Flash in game number one of this past weekend’s three-day basketball jamboree.
Denson combined with senior guard J.M. Ponting to score 14 of the team’s first 21 points, and senior Sean Looper’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the second quarter gave Lone Oak a commanding 37-29 lead at halftime.
Following a performance by the Marshall County Elite All-Stars from Melissa’s at halftime, the Purple Flash continued their strong play, despite senior 6’5 forward Jarad Key picking up his third foul midway through the third quarter.
Key, who attended Nike Basketball Camp last summer with Marshall County junior Daniel Ard, had nine key points and six boards.
Lone Oak put the game away in the third quarter when senior Neil Houser stole the ball at midcourt, drove to the hoop and was fouled while making his layup. This put the Flash up 51-36, ending any hopes for a Colonel comeback.
Senior Robert Hobson and sophomore Keith Tandy led Christian County in scoring with 15 and 11 points respectively.
Graves County v. Massac County
Team leaders Zach Simms and Randon Cavette took turns dominating HoopFest’s second game against Massac County Thursday evening, as Graves won 58-45.
Simms, who scored eight of Graves’ 13 first quarter points, finished with 13 points, including a pair of 3-pointers and two assists. His strong play contributed to an 8-0 Eagles’ run in the second quarter that broke an 18-18 tie and put Graves up 26-18.
In the second half, it was all Cavette. The Mayfield transfer, who had 12 points at the half, scored all 11 third quarter points for Graves and prevented Massac from getting closer than ten points in the fourth quarter with dominant inside defense. Cavette finished the night with a double-double that included 26 points and ten rebounds on 11-of-16 shooting.
Zach McDearmon and Landon Bremer combined for 23 points for Massac.
Trigg County v. Charleston, Mo.
After playing completely even for the game’s first two quarters with Charleston High School of Missouri, Trigg County finally proved why they are one of the region’s most dangerous teams, outscoring their opponent 24-9 in the third quarter behind a pair of 20-point performances by Most Valuable Player Jamal Boyd (24) and Jeremy Jones (23).
Trigg took their largest lead, 48-38 with 4:50 remaining in the third quarter and seemed to have the game in hand. However, Ashton Farmer and Jamarcus Williams made things interesting for Charleston and cut Trigg’s lead to 70-64 with just over two minutes to go in the game, but could never get closer than six points.
Farmer scored 25 points and had 10 rebounds for Charleston in the losing effort. Williams had 20 points and 13 rebounds. Russell Mackins also had 18 points for Trigg.
