Tigers claw past Maroons into Region 2 semifinals

The Hopkinsville Tigers used a big first-half run to knock off host Madisonville-North Hopkins 70-50 Thursday night in the Boys’ Region 2 Basketball Tournament quarterfinals.

Hoptown went on a 17-2 run and cruised to a 38-19 halftime lead.

The Tigers, who extended their final season in history with the win, pushed their lead to 53-32 entering the fourth quarter.

Jayven Battle led the Tigers with 16 points and Jayon Bass and Jonovan Leavell each added 14.

Hoptown improves to 18-13 on the season and advances to the Region 2 Tournament semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Monday night. The Tigers will take on Lyon County, which hammered Union County 88-60 in the opening game Thursday. Airtime for the game will be around 7:30 p.m. on 99.3 FM and 1230 AM WHOP.

The first semifinal Monday night will feature Henderson County against Hopkins County Central at 6 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Madisonville saw its season end at 6-23. The Maroons were led in scoring by Orion Underwood’s 24 points.

Score by Quarters:

Madisonville-N.H. 11 8 13 18 - 50

Hopkinsville 23 15 15 17 - 70

Individual Scoring:

MNHHS (6-23) – Sumner 5, Lewis 13, Dever 7, Latham 1, Underwood 24

HHS (18-13) – Battle 16, Giltner 6, Bradley Jr. 9, Dillard 3, Bass 14, Quarles 4, Cornett 2, Leavell 14.

3-Point Goals: MNNHS – Sumner, Lewis, Dever, Underwood 5; HHS – Battle 2, Dillard, Bass, Leavell 3.

Photos by Peyton Biaquis