Marshall County has won just once on the Strawberry Hills Pharmacy Arena floor since the McCracken County Schools consolidated 12 years ago in one of the best First Region rivalries. That win came in December of 2016 and on Thursday, they picked up their second when they rolled past the Mustangs 70-49.
Leading the scoring for the Marshals was Matthew Langhi with 19 points, Alex Staples had 18 and Kyzer Phillips 15.
The first half battle ensued from the opening tip. Trailing 6-4, the first of two threes in the quarter from Phillips put the Marshals up by one. A steal by Ryan Stokes and assist to Kaden Mohler was followed up by a Stokes basket off a missed three that quickly pushed the lead to 16-8.
McCracken went on a 5-0 run to cut the lead back to three and the first quarter ended in an 18-18 tie after a basket by Staples was followed up with a 3-pointer from Maxx Tanner.
Five different Marshals combined for 16 points in the second quarter to outscore the Mustangs by five to take 34-29 lead at halftime.
A 7-2 run to open the second half by the Mustangs tied the game up at 36 but from there, it was all Marshall County. They outscored McCracken 22-6 to finish out the third quarter with a 58-43 lead and artfully drew fouls, going to the free throw line 12 times in the quarter. Staples was a perfect 4-for-4 while Langhi hit 4-of-5.
The Marshals momentum carried through the fourth quarter, outscoring the Mustangs 12-6 to earn the 70-49 win.
For the night, they were 22-of-28 in free throws and had four threes led by Phillips with three. Staples was perfect at the line hitting 8-of-8 and Langhi dropped in 9-of-12. McCracken County finished with six threes and went 13-of-18 at the line.
The Marshals remain unbeaten at 5-0 and will be put the test again on Saturday when they play Owensboro Catholic at the Holiday Classic at Hopkinsville High School.
Marshall County 18 34 58 70
McCracken County 18 29 43 49
Marshall County (5-0): Matthew Langhi 19, Alex Staples 18, Kyzer Phillips 15, Ryan Stokes 6, Kaden Mohler 6, Tommy Robertson 5, Carson Lovett 1
McCracken County (1-2): Maxx Tanner 13, Dylan Jackson 11, Carter Hawes 6, Caden Fulcher 5, Jay Martin 4, Garrett Miller 4, Owen Grogan 3, Jace Dawson 3
