Cards lose re-run encounter with LaRue

Dennis George

Kelton Ford gets away from Taylor County’s Trae Wells during LaRue County’s 73-53 triumph in the Fifth Region Tournament first-round tilt at Central Hardin.

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Taylor County could not do much better in its re-match with LaRue County and were eliminated by the Hawks 73-53 in the opening game of the Boys’ Fifth Region Tournament on Wednesday night at Central Hardin.
The Cardinals (16-14), who fell at LaRue County 67-48 on Feb. 10, were again baffled by the Hawks’ three-point shooting.
Taylor County took its only lead when Caleb Wigginton hit a free throw when LaRue County was assessed a technical during pre-game warm-ups.
The Cardinals stayed close with the Hawks and trailed only 19-18 at first-quarter stop as Trae Wells had nine points and hit three-pointers as did Spirit Smith and Quentin Goodin. However, the next two frames (21-11 and 24-10) were all LaRue County and nearly all junior point guard Kelton Ford.
Ford nailed four first-half treys and totaled 23 at the intermission as the Hawks built a 40-29 cushion.
Ford hit a pair of three-pointers around a Lucas Bradshaw basket starting the second half and LaRue County tallied 15 straight poitns after the Bradshaw bucket to build a 58-31 advantage.
Ford finished with seven treys and 32 points, despite not scoring the final period.
Wells finished his high school hoop career with 21 points, 11 in the first and 10 in the second half, while Wigginton had 12.
LaRue County (23-7) advances to Monday’s semi-final round (6:00) against John Hardin (20-8), a 62-45 winner over Bethlehem. Bardstown will meet Marion County in the nightcap (8:00) with the championship encounter set for Tuesday (7:00).

LaRue County Hawks 73,
Taylor County Cardinals 53
Fifth Region Tournament
At Central Hardin
First round
TCHS    18    11    10    14    —    53
LCHS    19    21    24    9    —    73
Taylor County (53)
Player    FG    FT    TP
Wigginton    4    4-5    12
Wells    10    0-2    21
Bradshaw    3    0-0    6
Smith    2    0-0    6
Goodin    1    0-0    3
Webster    0    0-0    0
VanMeter    0    0-0    0
Cundiff    0    0-0    0
Turpin    0    0-0    0
Scott    0    0-0    0
Myers    0    0-0    0
Quinn    1    2-2    5
Davis    0    0-0    0
Berry    0    0-0    0
Chewning    0    0-0    0
Totals    21    6-9    53
LaRue County (73)
Player    FG    FT    TP
Meredith    3    4-5    11
Key    5    0-2    10
Venegas    0    0-0    0
Sheeran    4    0-0    9
Ford    10    5-7    32
Howell    3    0-0    6
Firquin    1    0-2    2
Shirley    1    1-2    3
Coulter    0    0-0    0
Lawson    0    0-0    0
Devary    0    0-0    0
Totals    27    10-18    73
3-point goals — Taylor County 5 (Smith 2, Wells 1, Goodin 1, Quinn 1), LaRue County 9 (Ford 7, Meredith 1, Sheeran 1).