PIKEVILLE — Magoffin County topped 57th District rival Johnson Central 77-67 in the semifinals of the 15th Region Boys’ Basketball Tournament at Appalachian Wireless Arena on Saturday, March 9.
Following the win, Magoffin County advanced to the 15th Region Boys’ Basketball Tournament title game.
Magoffin County shot 55.1 percent (27-of-49) from the field. The Hornets shot 36 percent (nine-of-25) from three-point range.
Magoffin County shot 82.4 percent (14-of-17) from the free throw line.
Starting strong, Magoffin County outscored Johnson Central 20-7 in the first quarter.
Extending its lead, Magoffin County led 38-17 at halftime.
Johnson Central managed to cut into Magoffin County’s lead after the intermission period but the Hornets wouldn’t be denied the win.
Magoffin County led 53-46 at the end of the third quarter.
Aden Barnett scored 31 points to lead Magoffin County to the win. Barnett made 10 of 13 two-point field goal attempts.
Following Barnett in scoring for Magoffin County, Grayson Whitaker netted 20 points. Whitaker made five of 12 three-point field goal attempts.
Delivering a double-double for Magoffin County, Walker Russell scored 10 points and cleared out 11 rebounds.
Narrowly missing double figures for Magoffin County, Ethan Salyer posted nine points.
Rounding out Magoffin County’s scoring, Noah Sammons added five points and Zane Whitaker contributed two points.
Johnson Central shot 44.4 percent (24-of-54) from the field. The Golden Eagles shot 35.3 percent (six-of-17) from three-point range.
Johnson Central shot 86.7 percent (13-of-15) from the free throw line.
Austin Slone scored a game-high 34 points to pace Johnson Central in the region tournament game. Slone connected on eight of 10 free throw attempts in Johnson Central’s season-ending loss.
Joining Slone in double figures for Johnson Central, Brayden Shepherd netted 18 points.
Chipping in offensively, Dawson Montgomery (eight points), Mason McKenzie (three points), Andrew Meeks (two points) and Kyle Rose (two points) were Johnson Central’s additional scorers.
