SCOTTSVILLE — Behind a 30-17 run after a three-point lead at halftime, Barren County ran away with a 55-39 win over Allen County-Scottsville on Tuesday evening to move to 3-1 on the season.
Using fast starts of four and six straight points to open up the first and third quarters, respectively, the Trojans set the tone for the game early on.
“I thought that the way we started each half was very important as far as setting the tone for each half, even though we got into some foul trouble,” Barren County head coach Warren Cunningham said. “Tyler Smith provided a lot of energy to start the game and then he picked up two quick fouls. He played well in the third quarter and I thought that was huge for us.
Brandon Reed also gave us a lot of energy at the beginning of the game when he got that offensive rebound and we pitched it around and scored it.”
The Trojans, however, were not the only ones to break out with a hot start, as the Patriots were tied with Barren 15-15 at halftime, largely thanks to six points from Marcus Carter in the first quarter.
“Marcus is getting better. The first day of practice, he really had a hard time scoring around the rim,” ACS head coach Nick Chaycowsky said. “He’s more of a guard; he’s willing to be more of a guard, but we need him inside. He’s got to learn to continue to be tough, and he’s showing some signs of that. It’s a process, but we’re proud of him.”
The game remained tight throughout the second quarter, the Trojans clinging to a 25-22 lead at the half despite forcing eight Patriot turnovers in the first half alone.
“Honestly, our turnovers weren’t that much of a factor,” Chaycowsky said. “I think our dead possessions where we didn’t get shots or when we got shots but not the ones we wanted played a factor. We took some shots that were tired shots.”
Barren began to make room for themselves after the third quarter, leading the Patriots 42-31 at the end of the quarter thanks to a 17-9 run after halftime.
“Early on they were playing some zone and we got into some foul trouble and had some guys in different spots than where they’re normally at, so it was good for us in terms of learning in those situations,” Cunningham said. “We scored some more in the second half and made some shots.”
Both teams traded baskets to begin the fourth quarter, but the Trojans put the finishing touch on the game by scoring the final nine points of the contest.
“The score is not indicative of the game; the game was a seven or eight-point game,” Chaycowsky said. “I think we cut it to six with a three and then came down and gave up an open three in our zone. We just have to understand situational things and we’ll get better.”
Carter’s 17 points and eight rebounds led the Patriots (1-2) while Brett Rippy hit three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points for ACS.
Barren County was led by Parker Stephens, who came off the bench to score 14 points. Jared Coomer tallied 13 points for the Trojans while Garrett Arterburn added 10 points.
The Trojans out-rebounded ACS 25-15 as Coomer and Smith each grabbed four boards. Carter had eight of the Patriots’ 15 rebounds.
“[Rebounding] is always one of our game goals,” Cunningham said. “It’s something that we’ve taken a lot of pride in, rebounding the ball. We feel like size and strength is an advantage that we can have against most teams.”
ACS will hit the road to take on Bowling Green on Thursday night following the girls’ game between the Purples and Patriots at 6:00. Barren County returns home to host Monroe County on Thursday evening, also in a boys’ and girls’ double-header.
