SALYERSVILLE — Junior guard Grayson Whitaker made a three-point field goal from the corner to lift Magoffin County over Johnson Central 46-45 in a 57th District boys’ basketball game on Friday, Feb. 10.
Following the thrilling win, Magoffin County improved to 15-9 overall and finished 5-1 in the 57th District. The win allowed Magoffin County to claim the number seed for the 57th District Boys’ Basketball Tournament.
Magoffin County and Johnson Central battled back and forth throughout the 57th District boys’ basketball matchup.
Aden Barnett scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Hornets to the key district win.
Finishing behind Barnett in scoring for Magoffin County, Ben Lafferty netted eight points.
Whitaker, the hero for the Hornets, finished with seven points in the district game.
Aiding Magoffin County offensively, Ethan Salyer and Walker Russell added three points apiece while Zane Whitaker contributed two points.
Defensively, Magoffin County limited Johnson Central throughout the district game.
Johnson Central shot 35.7 percent (15-of-42) from the field. The Golden Eagles made only one of seven three-point field goal attempts.
Johnson Central shot 63.6 percent (14-of-22) from the free throw line.
David Fink scored 18 points to lead the Golden Eagles.
Nearly recording a double-double for Johnson Central, Ryan Rose scored 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds.
Behind Rose, Johnson Central’s other scorers were Austin Slone (four points), Mason Lawson (four points), Connor Hopkins (three points) and Jacob Grimm (two points).
Both Magoffin County and Johnson Central will compete in the 57th District Boys’ Basketball Tournament in less than one week.
