The game showcased standout performances from two future college foes, as Ashland Blazer’s Zander Carter, a Liberty commit, kept his team in contention with a 24-point outing. The game featured five ties and six lead changes, with both teams trading clutch plays in a high-stakes atmosphere.
Woodford County came out strong, powered by Bone’s early scoring and defensive presence. His back-to-back dunks in the first quarter ignited a 9-0 run, giving the Yellow Jackets an early edge. The Tomcats responded with Carter’s sharpshooting, including a three-pointer that helped Ashland Blazer cut the deficit to 20-15 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw Ashland Blazer take control behind Carter’s aggressive drives and sharp perimeter shooting. The Tomcats outscored the Yellow Jackets 22-11 in the period, taking a 37-31 lead into halftime. Carter tallied 13 points in the half, while Braxton Jennings added critical baskets to support the Tomcats’ surge.
Woodford County reclaimed momentum in the third quarter, fueled by Bone’s versatility and key plays from Omari Jointer. Bone’s three-pointer and an assist to Wyatt Peters sparked a 9-2 run, cutting into Ashland Blazer’s lead. Jointer added 13 points, including a crucial dunk, as the Yellow Jackets pulled within three at 53-50 heading into the fourth quarter.
The final quarter was a back-and-forth battle. Jennings and Carter continued to deliver for Ashland Blazer, while Bone’s scoring and rebounding anchored Woodford County. Ashland's Preston Hoskins tied the game at 65 with a three-pointer with 28.9 seconds remaining, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
In overtime, Bone’s composure was on full display. He connected for the game-winning free throw with 9.5 seconds remaining. Ashland Blazer had a final chance, but a missed three-pointer sealed the victory for the Yellow Jackets.
Bone finished with 28 points on 9-of-21 shooting, adding 10 rebounds and 6-of-7 free throws. Jointer contributed 13 points, while Makhi Smith added 13 points and five rebounds. Woodford County’s dominance on the boards (38-19 rebounding advantage) and 17-of-19 free throw shooting were critical in their win.
Carter led Ashland Blazer with 24 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Jennings matched him with 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Despite shooting 49% from the field and hitting nine three-pointers, the Tomcats couldn’t overcome their struggles on the glass and second-chance opportunities.
Woodford County’s resilience earned them their first ever KOB victory to advance to the quarterfinals where they'll face Saint Xavier on Friday at 7:30pm. Ashland Blazer heads to the consolation bracket where they'll face Lloyd Memorial at 7:30pm Friday.
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