LEXINGTON — The Hornets are still swarming in the boys’ high school basketball postseason.
Magoffin County pulled away to defeat 14th Region champion Perry County Central 54-47 in the UK HealthCare Boys’ Basketball Sweet 16 Tournament at Rupp Arena on Wednesday, March 20.
Determined Magoffin County used a strong second-half effort to prevail in its first state tournament game.
The Hornets won in front of thousands of their fans.
Following the win, Magoffin County improved to 22-13. Magoffin County advanced to the second round of the Boys’ Sweet 16.
Magoffin County will meet either Spencer County or Great Crossing in the second round of the Boys’ Sweet 16 at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 22.
The Hornets and Commodores battled back and forth throughout the state tournament game.
Magoffin County and Perry County Central were tied 13-13 at the end of the opening quarter.
But Perry County Central doubled up Magoffin County 12-6 in the second quarter.
Perry County Central led 25-19 at halftime and remained out in front midway through the second half.
However, Magoffin County managed to cut into Perry County Central’s lead after the break.
Perry County Central led 38-35 at the end of the third quarter prior to faltering late.
Less than two minutes into the final quarter, Magoffin County moved ahead 39-38 and finished strong to claim the win and advance in the state tournament.
Aden Barnett poured in a game-high 24 points to lead Magoffin County to the win.
Joining Barnett in double figures for Magoffin County, Walker Russell netted 14 points and Zane Whitaker posted 13 points.
Rounding out Magoffin County’s scoring, Ethan Salyer added three points.
In addition to the four scorers, Grant Whitaker, Reed Meadows and Noah Sammons played for the Hornets.
Carter Castle, the nephew of Magoffin County head coach Scott Castle and Trayten Woods, scored 14 points apiece to pace Perry County Central (22-14).
Contributing offensively, Kizer Slone (nine points), Tyson Neace (seven points) and Mason Sumner (three points) were Perry County Central’s other scorers.
Magoffin County won its fifth straight game.
