Calloway County (28-3) vs. Murray (23-9)

 

Calloway County- 4th District Champion, defeated Murray in OT, 49-45.

Regional defeated St. Mary 61-46, defeated Carlisle County 61-25

 

Murray, 4th District Runner-up, defeated Marshall County 50-44 and lost to Calloway Co. in OT, 49-45

Regional defeated Paducah Tilghman 55-53, defeated Graves County 57-48

 

 

 

Previous Games:

January 16th Calloway County 61 Murray 37

February 5th: Calloway County 43 Murray 39

February 26th: Calloway County 49 Murray 45 OT

 

 

 

 

Summary of the Lakers:

 

The Lakers are led by KABC POY Parker Adams at 17.7 PPG. The play of Skyler Hunter in the paint has been huge for the Lakers on the defensive end. Hunter is one of the best three point shooters in the area at 43.8%. He is a match-up problems for opposing teams. Not many 6’7 can step out and hit the three as consistently as Hunter can. Conner Wagner is averaging 11 a game and gives a solid third option. He shoots 41.6% from threes. As a team, Calloway shoots 42 from the three point line making them a very tough team to defend. The team is ran by PG Wade Carter. He is a steady playmaker but capable of scoring as well. He puts in 8 a game. Rounding out the rotation is Clay Smotherman and Hunter Smith. These six seniors have been waiting for this year since their freshman year.

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of the Tigers:

 

 

The Tigers roared out of the gate and have been steady all year. The won the All A regional and look to be only the 2nd boys’ team to win both regionals. Carlisle County in 2004 is the only boys’ team to pull off the double championships. The Tigers are a very balanced and deep team. Sharp shooter Preston English leads them in scoring at 11.5 but guards Duane Curtis, 10.3 and James Boone, 9.6 get the Tigers going. Curtis maybe one of the most improved players in the region. Depth is the key in the paint as well. Tandyn Sheppard, 6.1, Tre Hornbuckle, 5.7, and Ethan Clark, 4.4 give Murray several options in the middle. Zach Flener is has come off the bench maybe the best 6th man in the region. He gives a jolt of energy with his constant motion play. He is a solid defender and a great passer.

 

 

 

 

 

Game #4:

This will be the 4th meeting of the year for these crosstown rivals. This year with Murray’s new coach, Bart Flener, the rivalry has renewed fire. The Lakers and Marshalls have dominated this district since 2001 and Murray has made the most of this opportunity so far. In their 1st meeting Murray tried to speed up the tempo against Calloway. Calloway’s experience and good guard play tore up the Tiger press and they won in a runaway. The last two games the tempo has been much different. Murray has given in to Calloway’s pace of the game. Calloway is very patient on the offensive end with constant sets being run to set up their big three. On the defensive end the Lakers have been solid all year and have one of the best defenses in the state with the points per game that they give up. That has been the big difference in Calloway this year is on the defensive end. Nothing comes easy for their opponents. Murray on the other hand is very deep and can play different ways. Coach Flener’s best line-up includes 6’4 PG James Boone and 6’3 swing man Preston English then he can go big across the front line with Hornbuckle, Sheppard, and Clark or he can go small with Curtis, Flener, and Miles. This team can show many lineups and match-up problems. Murray is at its best with Boone in there. He can create his own shot because of the way he elevates on his jumper. He is quickly turning into a star. He has been huge in the 1st two games in the regional tournament. He hit the game winner against Paducah Tilghman and had 24 in the regional semifinals.

 

 

 

Keys:

 

-Battle of the Boards: Calloway showed some weakness against St. Mary on the boards but dominated them last night against Carlisle County. Murray hurt Calloway on the boards in their district final. Murray gets a lot of 2nd chance points with Hornbuckle, Sheppard, and English.

 

 

-Tempo: Will Murray try to wear down the short bench of Calloway. They tried in Game 1 to no avail. Calloway only goes 6 deep but it is a solid 6. Calloway has avoided foul trouble all year because of their solid positioning on the defensive end.

 

 

-Role players: Boone has dominated the 1st 2 games. Nobody for Murray has scored double figures in either game. He is going to have get some help for Murray to win. They can come from a variety of players. Duane Curtis and Preston English both average in double figures. Sheppard and Hornbuckle have had big games this year as well. Ethan Clark is wildcard off the bench with his versatility. Calloway’s role players have been solid all year. Parker Adams has been the best player in the region this year. Skylar Hunter and Conner Wagner have been solid as the 2/3 option. But players like Smotherman and Carter could be the deciding factor. Carter needs to handle the pressure that the Tigers throw at him. Smotherman always seems to hit a big shot when left open with all the attention the Big 3 get.

 

 

-Seniors vs. Juniors: Calloway’s top 6 are Seniors. Murray’s Top 10 players there are 8 juniors. Does the senior leadership win out?

 

 

 

Prediction: A grind it out game in the 40s and Calloway wins.

I would guess there'll be a huge crowd for this rivalry game with a Sweet 16 on the line. Calloway Countians have to be very proud of their teams.

It's of interest to me because the winner will play the winner of my home region in the state tourney, Knott County Central.

Nice Write-Up

As an outsider who doesn't know a lot about this region, I expect Calloway to win.

I'd expect a great atmosphere for this one.

Will it stream online?

Very good article. I think it will be a close game. These two teams have been fun to watch this year. Will not be surprised on the outcome either way. Hope they represent west Kentucky well next week.

Does anyone have a score on this game?

Does anyone have a score on this game?

 

Calloway County won 48-35 according to the KHSAA scoreboard

Calloway's Seniors stepped up big time.

 

Murray came out rolling taking a 11-1 lead and all points were scored by James Boone. Boone had 13 of the first 15 Murray points but did not score again until the 4th period. Calloway came out a little tight but settled in by hitting 2 three pointers before the 1st quarter was over to cut the lead to 11-8. After that the Laker defense took over. They were methodical on offense and downright stingy on the defensive end. A typical Coach Birdsong type of game with a grind it out game.

 

The Lakers started with Clay Smotherman on Boone but quickly changed to POY Parker Adams. Adams made everything tough for Boone. Smotherman and Adams alternated between Boone and sharpshooter Preston English. The downfall of the Tigers was finding that 2nd scorer during the regional tournament. James Boone was the only player to reach double figures in the finals. Boone was outstanding during the tournament but could not defeat the senior starters of Calloway County.

 

Calloway was lead by Adams with 15, Wagner 13, Hunter 8, Carter 7, Smotherman 3, and Smith 2

Murray was lead by Boone with 15 followed by Curtis 6, English 5, Flener 5, Sheppard 2, and Hornbuckle 2.

Keys:

 

-Battle of the Boards: Calloway showed some weakness against St. Mary on the boards but dominated them last night against Carlisle County. Murray hurt Calloway on the boards in their district final. Murray gets a lot of 2nd chance points with Hornbuckle, Sheppard, and English.

 

Calloway won 29-20 on the Boards

 

 

 

 

 

-Tempo: Will Murray try to wear down the short bench of Calloway. They tried in Game 1 to no avail. Calloway only goes 6 deep but it is a solid 6. Calloway has avoided foul trouble all year because of their solid positioning on the defensive end.

 

The pace was in Calloway's favor all night

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Role players: Boone has dominated the 1st 2 games. Nobody for Murray has scored double figures in either game. He is going to have get some help for Murray to win. They can come from a variety of players. Duane Curtis and Preston English both average in double figures. Sheppard and Hornbuckle have had big games this year as well. Ethan Clark is wildcard off the bench with his versatility. Calloway’s role players have been solid all year. Parker Adams has been the best player in the region this year. Skylar Hunter and Conner Wagner have been solid as the 2/3 option. But players like Smotherman and Carter could be the deciding factor. Carter needs to handle the pressure that the Tigers throw at him. Smotherman always seems to hit a big shot when left open with all the attention the Big 3 get.

 

 

Role players came up big for Calloway

 

 

 

 

 

-Seniors vs. Juniors: Calloway’s top 6 are Seniors. Murray’s Top 10 players there are 8 juniors. Does the senior leadership win out?

 

 

The Calloway Seniors did not panic when they got down 11-1 but the juniors from Murray played tight in the 2nd half.

 

 

 

 

Prediction: A grind it out game in the 40s and Calloway wins.