Hornets fall 44-33 to Mustangs in regional
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The Hornets season came to an end after a 44-33 loss to Muhlenberg County in a quarterfinal game of the 3rd Region tournament held at the Sportscenter in Owensboro Tuesday. Hancock County finished its season with a record of 8-12.
“We played extremely well and we stuck to the game plan,” HCHS coach Mike Orr said.
Muhlenberg County (17-1) led by just one point (7-6) at the end of the first quarter. Landyn Emmick got the start for Kaleb Keown and led Hancock County with four points in the opening frame. Keown was held out after having surgery on the broken nose he suffered in the district title game.
“Landyn stepped up and played exceptionally well,” coach Orr said.
Devyn Powers hit a “3” in the second quarter, but the Mustangs pulled out to a 21-13 lead at halftime.
The Hornets battled toe-to-toe with the region powerhouse during the third quarter. Darian Clay scored three times and Ryan Ogle hit five of six foul shots to help keep Hancock close. Muhlenberg won the frame 14-13, but they led by just nine points (35-26) heading to the final period.
The Hornets continued to fight and they pulled to within four points with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Evan Ferry scored four points for HCHS and Ogle buried a “3”, but the Mustangs were perfect from the charity stripe down the stretch as they had just enough to secure the win.
“With three minutes to go we were down four (points) and we had a good look (at a basket) but it just didn’t go down. Then they hit a “3” and got a little separation and we had to foul them late,” coach Orr said.
“I’m impressed with how our guys played and with how they handled all the adversity this year. I’m so proud of them and I’ve really enjoyed coaching them. They showed a lot of character and a lot of heart, and we’re going to be back, but we’re going to miss Darian and Ethan (Stewart). They gave us everything they had and I’m really proud of those two seniors.”
Hancock County shot 34.3% from the field and were 2 of 7 from beyond the arc. The Hornets made 7 of 12 from the foul line. Muhlenberg’s percentages were not available.
Clay had eight points, with 13 rebounds and one steal for HCHS. Ogle had eight points, nine boards and one assist, and Powers had seven points, three boards, one assist and one steal. Ferry had six points, two boards and five assists, and Emmick had four points, four boards, three blocks and two steals.
Cole Vincent led MCHS with 12 points. Nash Devine scored 10.
By Steve Wimmer
