LEXINGTON — Magoffin County’s historic season ended in the quarterfinals of the UK HealthCare Boys’ Basketball Sweet 16 Tournament.
Great Crossing took control early and managed to defeat Magoffin County 83-48 in the quarterfinals of the state tournament at Rupp Arena on Friday, March 22.
Magoffin County, the reigning 15th Region champion, exited the 2023-24 boys’ high school basketball season 22-14.
Starting strong, Great Crossing outscored Magoffin County 31-8 in the opening quarter.
The Warhawks led 55-25 at halftime and remained in control after the intermission period.
Great Crossing shot 50 percent (35-of-70) from the field. The Warhawks made four of 12 three-point field goal attempts.
Great Crossing shot 75 percent (nine-of-12) from the free throw line.
Vince Dawson scored a game-high 18 points to lead Great Crossing to the win.
Delivering a double-double for Great Crossing, Malachi Moreno scored 16 points and claimed 15 rebounds.
As part of a balanced offensive attack for Great Crossing, Gage Richardson added 15 points and Junius Burrell contributed 12 points.
The additional scorers for Great Crossing were Jeremiah Godfrey (six points), Jordan Koonce (four points), LJ Holman (two points), Ryan Payne (two points), Jaylen Warren (two points), Travanti Cooper (two points) Christian Martin (two points) and Brady Orem (two points).
Magoffin County shot 35.8 percent (19-of-53) from the field. The Hornets made four of 24 three-point field goal attempts.
Magoffin County shot 50 percent (six-of-12) from the free throw line.
Walker Russell and Ethan Salyer scored 12 points apiece to pace the Hornets. Joining two of his teammates in double figures for Magoffin County, Aden Barnett scored 11 points.
Accounting for Magoffin County’s additional scoring, Zane Whitaker posted six points, Reed Meadows contributed four points and Grayson Whitaker chipped in three points.
Zane Whitaker paced Magoffin County inside, clearing out 10 rebounds.
