The unranked North Oldham Mustangs (6-2) secured a spot in the semifinals of the 2024 Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass tournament with a 61-46 win over the 18th ranked South Laurel Cardinals (5-1). Brooks Cargould delivered a standout performance, earning Central Bank Player of the Game honors with 24 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. With the victory, North Oldham advances to their third KOB semifinal since 2019.
The first quarter was a tightly contested defensive battle, with South Laurel holding a brief lead before the Mustangs found their rhythm. Jordan Mabe, who finished with 18 points and four rebounds for the Cardinals, scored on two quick baskets to keep the game close early. However, Cargould and Austin Sears sparked a 10-2 run, with Cargould hitting a three-pointer and Sears converting a layup, giving North Oldham a 14-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter belonged to the Mustangs, as they outscored South Laurel 21-7. Cargould continued to control the tempo, hitting another three-pointer and finding Sears for back-to-back triples. Sears finished with 16 points, including four three-pointers, to complement Cargould’s all-around performance. By halftime, North Oldham held a commanding 35-19 lead, fueled by their efficient 58.3% shooting from the field and stifling defense that forced six turnovers.
South Laurel came out strong in the third quarter, led by Mabe and Colton Rawlings. Rawlings added three three-pointers in the half, finishing with 11 points. The Cardinals trimmed the deficit to 10 points after a 9-0 run highlighted by Mabe’s layup and a three-pointer from Garrison Brown. Despite their efforts, Cargould’s leadership and timely scoring helped North Oldham maintain control, outscoring South Laurel 14-12 in the third quarter.
In the final period, the Cardinals made one last push, but Cargould and Colin Daniels responded with critical baskets to keep the Mustangs ahead. Daniels contributed nine points and three rebounds, while Pierre Rondo added five points off the bench to bolster the Mustangs’ offense. North Oldham closed the game with a 7-0 run, holding South Laurel scoreless in the final minutes to secure the win.
Cargould led the Mustangs with 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting, along with seven rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. Sears added 16 points, including four three-pointers, and Daniels chipped in nine points. North Oldham’s efficient 53.7% shooting and ability to capitalize on turnovers (25 points off turnovers) proved decisive.
For South Laurel, Mabe stood out with 18 points and four rebounds, while Rawlings added 11 points. The Cardinals shot 39% from the field but struggled to keep pace with North Oldham’s offensive firepower.
No comments:
Post a Comment