DRAFFENVILLE – Marshall County boys played Hopkinsville in the final game of Saturday’s first session of the Hoopfest. Hopkinsville has advanced in the state tournament’s Elite 8 twice and Final 4 once in three of the last four seasons, falling just short of a fifth straight state tournament berth last year in their Region 2 championship loss to Christian County.
The quickness of the Tigers and their ability to shoot from behind the arc made the Marshals task more difficult. The Marshals stayed close in the first quarter, cutting Hopkinsville lead to one point following a basket by Aaron Reed and free throw from Matt French at 10-9 but the Tigers closed out the first quarter out-scoring the Marshals 12-3 to lead 22-12.
Skyler Smith opened the second quarter with a three and the Marshals would spread their scoring around among Lucas Nichols, French, Reed, Tristen Prange and Dylan Walters but would suffer at the free throw line, missing six straight, that led Hopkinsville to a 23 point 50-27 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Marshals matched Hopkinsville in scoring, out-scored by just two points, 36-34, behind Walters who scored the majority of his 24 points in the half, but the first half deficit was too much to overcome.
Hopkinsville was led by Steven Cager and Jalen Johnson, both with 18 points and CJ Henagan with 14 points and 11 rebounds, earning MVP of the game.
SCORING
Hopkinsville: Cager 18, Johnson 18, Henagan 14, Toliver 11, Govan 9, Patton 5, Nicholas 5, Williams 2, Wilson 2, Sharp 2
Marshall: Walters 24, Reed 9, Smith 8, Nichols 6, Flatt 5, Harvey 3, Riley 2, Prange 2, French 2
Hopkinsville: Field Goals 31/65, 3-pointers 8/23, Free Throws 16/23, Total Rebounds 42 Fouls 23, Assists 15, Turnovers 13
Marshall: Field Goals 21/52, 3-pointers 3/14, Free Throws 16/33, Total Rebounds 38, Fouls 21, Assists 5, Turnovers 16
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Hopkinsville | 22 | 28 | 18 | 18 | 86 |
| Marshall | 12 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 61 |
