Lyon County and Henderson County will meet tonight for the Boys’ Region 2 Basketball Tournament championship after earning semifinal victories Monday night at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School.
Lyon County, the 2024 Region 2 and Sweet 16 state champion, used a huge third-quarter run to defeat Hopkinsville 80-56 in the second semifinal game.
The Tigers’ Jonovan Leavell hit a long 3-pointer at the third quarter buzzer to draw Hoptown to within 53-40. Hoptown had trailed by as much as 25 points in the period.
However, Cooper Collins made three 3-pointers during a 19-4 run to start the fourth quarter and kill the Tigers’ comeback hopes.
The loss not only ended Hoptown’s season at 18-14, but also was the last game in program history. The school will consolidate with Christian County in the 2026-27 season.
Jayon Bass had 19 points and Leavell had 15 to lead Hopkinsville.
Bray Kirk had 21 points to lead four Lyons in double figures. Nolan Coffman had 15, Collins had 14, and DeFew added 12 as Lyon improved to 28-6.
Henderson County scored the final five points of the game and rallied to defeat Hopkins County Central 56-55.
The defending Region 2 champions were led by Amare Stewart’s 14 points and Xavion Johnson added 11 as Henderson improved to 26-4 on the year with its 15th straight win.
Braden Williams hit a pair of free throws with 14 seconds remaining to give the Colonels the lead and the then their defense held the Storm from getting off a final shot. Hopkins Central saw its season end at 18-10.
The Storm were led in scoring by Samari Pettus with 14 points. Davonyae Butcher added 13 and Blaze Sumner and Channing Stone each had 10.
Tonight’s championship game is scheduled for 7 p.m. with airtime at 6:50 p.m. on 99.3 FM and 1230 AM WHOP.
Score by Quarters:
Hopkinsville 9 9 22 16 – 56
Lyon County 15 16 22 27 – 80
Individual Scoring:
HHS (18-14) – Battle 8, Giltner 6, Bradley Jr. 4, Jesse 2, Bass 19, Pulley 2, Quarles 2, Leavell 15, Dillard 3.
LCHS (28-6) – Co. Collins 14, Reddick 9, Kirk 21, McDaniels 3, Ca. Collins 5, Coffman 15, DeFew 12, Akridge 1.
3-Point Goals: HHS – Battle, Leavell 2; LCHS – Co. Collins 3, Reddick, Kirk 2, Coffman, DeFew.
Score by Quarters:
Hopkins Co. Central 8 14 17 16 – 55
Henderson County 22 8 15 11 – 56
HCCHS (18-10) – Pettus 14, Butcher 13, Sumner 10, Jagoe 6, Stone 10, Bruce 2.
HCHS (26-4) – Stewart 14, Johnson 11, Martin 5, Taylor 8, Woolfork 6, Little 2, Williams 7, Thomas 1.
3-Point Goals: HCCHS – Butcher 3, Stone; HCHS – Stewart 2.
Photos by Peyton Biaquis