South Oldham 89 Woodford County 62

Hard to say exactly what we learned today in regards to South Oldham's easy 89-62 victory over Woodford County. Woodford was playing in just its second game without star center Hunter Penn, but the game was never really in much doubt after a close first quarter, which ended with South up, 22-21.

The lead was 14 at the break, and South had pulled away to a 69-44 lead after three periods as the exhausted Yellowjackets made just 8 of 29 shots in the second half.

Both teams had played the night before, but the quick turnaround seemed to affect Woodford more. By the time a Jacket airballed a free throw late in the game, it was already very clear that the Yellowjackets' legs were no longer under them. South's depth was clearly superior, and with Woodford already down one, it was even more pronounced.

I'm not sure whether Hunter Penn's presence changes the outcome, but without a doubt Woodford probably fares better overall if he's in there.

South finished 29 of 60 for 48.3% - the Dragons shot 50% or better in every period except the fourth, when the subs were mostly on the court. From beyond the arc, South made 10 of 28 for 35.7%. At the line - one night after going a perfect 15 for 15 at the stripe against CAL - the Dragons were an impressive 21 of 25 for 84%.

Four Dragons reached double figures: Luke Morrison 22, Seth Johnson 22, Ben Michel 12, and Nick Cranfill with 11. Johnson had a double-double, with (unofficially) 22 points and 12 rebounds. Cranfill just missed a double-double with 8 boards.

Tim Stragand for South just missed double figures with 9.

Woodford County finished 20 of 54 for 37%; the Jackets hit 4 of 23 (17.4%). Woodford hit 16 of 24 at the line for 67%.

The Jackets, the top shooting team in Region 8, averages 52% shooting from the field and 49% from beyond the arc.

Woodford County was led by Ashton Myles and J D Alexander, who both had 11. Nobody else had more than six points for Woodford.

This was only the third meeting between these two schools since 2010; South won all three of those meetings.

Going back to the Yellowjackets' loss of Hunter Penn; his absence really showed on defense. With 6'5" Riley Gardner getting in foul trouble, the Jackets had nobody else bigger than 6'2" to defend the rim. South repeatedly attacked the interior with impunity, beating the Jackets off the dribble and scoring on putbacks. The taller Dragon guards - such as 6'5" Luke Morrison - were able to post up the smaller Yellowjacket guards - Morrison is nine inches taller than Anthony Tabor, one of the Jackets' starting guards and four inches taller than Ashton Myles - for easy baskets.

It was a very tightly called game; South had over 10 fouls in both halves and Woodford was whistled for a number of fouls as well. Pretty well called game; the officials took charge early and stayed in control.

Good win for South; the Dragons have now score 282 points in their last three games against North Bullitt (98 points), CAL (95 points) and Woodford County (89).

CM