The Adair County Indians won their first game of regionals on Sunday when they beat Central Hardin 69 to 52. With this victory under their belt, they will continue to compete on their road to return to Rupp Arena.
The boys’ 69 to 52 margin of victory is an improvement over the last time that the team faced Central Hardin. On Feb. 17, the Indians eked out a victory against the Bruins 80 to 74. Sunday’s game initially appeared to indicate a similar trajectory. Quarter one ended with the Indians down eight to 14.
By halftime, however, the tide had turned, and the Indians began leading. While the game occasionally became tighter, the Indians were still able to pull out a massive win. The stats help show how they did it.
Isaiah Cochran (#5, senior) had the most points on the team with 21. These were largely free-throws. Cochran made 11 out of the 12 free-throws he attempted, and five of the nine two-point field goals.
The Indians’ second-highest scorer was Brayton Coomer (#21, senior) who tallied up 15 points, also entirely made up of free throws and two-pointers.
Coomer made six of the nine two-pointers he attempted, and three of four field goals. Connor Loy (#14, senior) earned 12 points with three two-pointers, a three-pointer (the sole three-pointer that the Indians scored throughout the game), and three free-throws.
Lane Grant (#20, senior) had nine points made up of three free throws (out of three attempted) and three two-pointers (out of four attempted). Dawson Gilbert (#1, junior) scored six points with three two-pointers. Carter White scored four points with a two-pointer and two free-throws. And, finally, Jayden Miller shot a two-pointer for two points.
The high number of free throws and their accuracy likely helped make the difference on the Marion County High School gym floor. The Adair County Indians only had one three-pointer, but they made 22 out of 36 two-pointers attempted and they made 88% of their 25 free-throws free-throw attempts, which adds up to 22 total baskets. The team also had 33 rebounds.
Before the Indians played on Sunday, Bardstown and Caverna faced off. Caverna beat Bardstown 66 to 42 and also earned the right to advance to the next game of regionals.
Adair County will play Caverna on Monday, at 4:30 p.m. CST at Marion County High School.
Adair County’s last game against Caverna ended with the Indians winning 63 to 48. Caverna currently sits at a win rate of 17 to 12 against Adair County’s 28 to five, putting Adair in a favorable position to win. If they do, Adair will advance to the Region 5 championship game on Tuesday, at 6 p.m. CST.
The Adair County Community Voice will continue to provide updates on the Indians’ games and schedule.
By Kenley Godby
kenley@adairvoice.com
