Kentucky high school basketball, enough said! The atmosphere at Franklin-Simpson gym had the feel of a late February or March madness night as the (11-3) Franklin-Simpson Wildcats hosted (12-2) Barren County Trojans.
Both teams started out slow in the first quarter with the Wildcats going 5 for 20 from the floor shooting just 25%. The Trojans fared slightly better hitting 7of 22 shooting 31.8%, good enough for a 14-8 first quarter lead over the Wildcats.
The second quarter offered little offense as both teams locked down defensively scoring a total of 13 points between both teams. At the end of the first half Barren County led the Wildcats 21-14.
The 3rd quarter was all Wildcats as they came out and dominated the Trojans putting up 21 points. Midway through the 3rd quarter Tavin Lovin threw down a monster dunk which sent the Wildcat fan base into a “Im Lovan it Frenzy”
Lovin led all scoring with 17 with teammate Carlesso Doaks showering down opportunistic 3’s throughout the game finishing with 14 points. FS guard Trey Radcliffe poured in 11 for the game. The Wildcats set up camp in the paint scoring 28 of their 52 overall points.
Defensively, the Wildcats kept the high scoring Trojans in check limiting Wade Coomer to just 10 points who usually averages 16.9 per game and senior guard Nick Mabe was held to just 2 points. Mabe on the season averages over 15 per game.
Both Barren and Franklin are two talented teams who will be battle tested and ready to make noise in their respective district and region tournaments.
