GATLINBURG, Tenn. — After notching back-to-back wins over Wren (S.C.) and James River (Va.), Magoffin County finished runner-up to Livingston Academy (Tenn.) in the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic Boys’ Blue Bracket on Thursday, Dec. 22.
A look at Magoffin County’s three-game stint in the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic follows.
Livingston Academy (Tenn.) 69, Magoffin County 58 (OT): Magoffin County came up short as Livingston Academy pulled away to win 69-58 in overtime in the championship game of the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic Boys’ Blue Bracket on Thursday, Dec. 22.
Livingston Academy led 32-25 at halftime, but Magoffin County pushed its opponent throughout the game.
Magoffin County shot 40.7 percent (22-of-54) from the field in the setback. The Hornets hit five of 19 three-point field goal attempts.
Magoffin County shot 60 percent (nine-of-15) from the free throw line.
Three Hornets reached double figures in scoring. Pacing Magoffin County, Zane Whitaker scored 18 points. Finishing directly behind Whitaker in Magoffin County’s offensive attack, Aden Barnett scored 17 points while Grayson Whitaker added 12 points.
Aiding the 57th District member offensively, Ben Lafferty (four points), Ethan Salyer (four points) and Walker Russell (three points) combined to account for the rest of Magoffin County’s scoring.
Magoffin County 69, James River (Va.) 64: Magoffin County outlasted James River (Va.) 69-64 in the second round of the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
The Hornets shot 52.9 percent (27-of-51) from the field in the winning effort. Magoffin County connected on four of 12 three-point field goal attempts.
The Hornets drained 11 of 21 free throws in the win.
Aden Barnett poured in a game-high 28 points to lead Magoffin County to the victory. Barnett shot 71.4 percent (10-of-14) from inside the arc.
Joining Barnett in double figures for Magoffin County, Grayson Whitaker scored 17 points and Zane Whitaker netted 14 points.
Finishing outside of double figures, Ben Lafferty (six points), Reed Meadows (two points) and Ethan Salyer (two points) provided the rest of Magoffin County’s scoring.
Magoffin County 58, Wren (S.C.) 51: Magoffin County defeated Wren (S.C.) 58-51 in the opening round of the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
The Hornets, under the direction of Coach Scott Castle, shot 50 percent (21-of-42) from the field. Magoffin County connected on three of 12 three-point field goal attempts.
The Hornets shot 86.7 percent (13-of-15) from the free throw line.
Zane Whitaker scored 21 points to lead Magoffin County to the win. Whitaker hit all five of his free throw attempts.
Giving Magoffin County two scorers in double figures, Ben Lafferty netted 17 points for the Hornets.
Narrowly missing double figures for Magoffin County, Grayson Whitaker added nine points.
Accounting for the remainder of Magoffin County’s scoring, Aden Barnett tallied five points. Walker Russell posted four points and Ethan Salyer finished with two points.
Lafferty and Barnett combined to lead Magoffin County in a key category, collecting eight rebounds apiece.
