The Muhlenberg County Mustangs are headed to state.
Powered by a 19-4 second-half run, the Mustangs pulled away for a 46-31 victory over Owensboro Catholic within the third Area Match championship recreation Sunday in entrance of a restricted however raucous crowd on the Sportscenter — securing Muhlenberg County’s place within the KHSAA Boys’ State Basketball Match later this week at Rupp Enviornment in Lexington.
The Mustangs (19-1) will sq. off towards ninth Area champion Highlands (26-4) within the first spherical Thursday at 10 a.m. (CT).
“To have the ability to share this with this particular group of gamers, these coaches, with a group that’s hungry for this, it means the world,” Muhlenberg County coach Kyle Eades stated. “It’s exhausting to place it into phrases. I believe, greater than something, the exhausting work and dedication from this group of men — to have the ability to share this implies the world to us.”
The momentum shifted when the competition was tied at 25 late within the third quarter, following a tough ground foul that led to a short skirmish in entrance of the Muhlenberg County bench. Catholic’s Ji Webb was referred to as for a technical foul, resulting in a pair of Brayden Lovan free throws with 1:35 left within the body.
Nash Divine drew a foul and made two foul photographs to present the Mustangs a four-point lead earlier than the Aces’ Sam McFarland scored within the lane to attract his staff inside two factors. Muhlenberg County’s Asher Carver drilled a nook 3-pointer, and Cole Vincent scored on a layup shortly thereafter to present the Mustangs a 34-27 lead heading into the ultimate stanza.
Muhlenberg County’s run continued into the fourth quarter — capped off by two foul photographs by Donovan McCoy for a 44-29 benefit with 2:18 remaining. By then, the lead was by no means unsure.
“After the technical foul occurred, our guys caught a special vitality stage,” Eades stated. “We hit the bucket a few occasions and swiftly, the depth on the defensive finish went up a notch, and I assumed we did an incredible job on the boards too.”
Although Catholic (18-10) completed with a 20-19 rebounding edge, the Mustangs made up the distinction by forcing 20 turnovers. Vincent completed with a team-high 10 factors for Muhlenberg County, which additionally acquired seven factors, three steals and three assists from Nash Divine. Carver hauled in a team-best 5 rebounds.
The Mustangs made 13-of-33 photographs from the ground for 39%, knocked down 11-of-16 free throws (69%) and dedicated 14 turnovers.
Owensboro Catholic coach Tim Riley famous his disappointment, however not earlier than crediting his gamers for his or her effort all through the postseason.
“I’m simply pleased with our children,” Riley stated. “To get to that recreation, and it to be a recreation late within the third quarter, I’m simply pleased with what they did, pleased with the combat that they had and really appreciative of that.
“We simply couldn’t rating sufficient. That’s a tribute to (Muhlenberg County). They’re a very good defensive staff, and so they guard you rather well. They did a pleasant job defensively on us.”
Ji Webb completed with a game-high 14 factors with seven rebounds and three blocks for the Aces, who made 14-of-28 photographs from the ground for 50% and had been 1-of-4 from the free-throw line (25%). Sam McFarland and Braden Mundy added three steals apiece.
“(Webb) gave us every part he had,” Riley stated. “They had been actual bodily with him inside and compelled him additional away from the basket a bit bit and made issues exhausting on him.”
Muhlenberg County opened the competition on an 8-0 run, however Catholic answered with a 9-3 scoring burst to drag inside two factors.
Carver’s 3 with 4.3 seconds left within the first gave the Mustangs a 14-9 benefit after the opening body.
After trailing 20-16 at intermission, the Aces opened the third interval with a 5-0 mini-run — taking a 21-20 lead on Parker Grey’s 3-pointer.
Catholic led 25-22 after back-to-back buckets from Webb and McFarland, however Davion Summers knocked down a 3 with 2:24 left to tie the competition.
The Mustangs pulled away from there, nonetheless, and their championship celebration started instantly after the ultimate horn.
“We fought so exhausting this entire season,” Divine stated afterward. “With the ability to come out right here with these guys and placed on a present for our county and our followers, it’s been exceptional. I’ll always remember this second.”
Divine remembers watching Muhlenberg County advance to the state match as a child in 2010-11 — and now he’s excited to comply with go well with.
“I’ve been dreaming about profitable this ever since,” he stated. “It’s particular.
“I’m excited. I’ve been going (to Rupp Enviornment) yearly to observe, and this 12 months I lastly get to run on the market. It’s really particular to me.”
MUHLENBERG COUNTY 46, CATHOLIC 31
OWENSBORO CATHOLIC 9-7-11-4—31
MUHLENBERG COUNTY 14-6-14-12—46
Owensboro Catholic (31) — Webb 14, McFarland 7, Grey 6, Barber 2, Carrico 2.
Muhlenberg County (46) — Vincent 10, Divine 7, Lovell 7, Summers 7, Carver 6, Rose 4, Lovan 2, McCoy 2, Jernigan 1.
