In what turned out to be an incredible high school basketball game, Warren East outlasted a McCracken County team that refused to quit to win the Warren East Christmas Tournament.
Brandon Walker had 16 in the first half, would finish with 25, and would be named Total Fitness Connection Player of the Game for his effort as well as GoRaiderNation.com‘s Player of the Tournament.
The Raiders led the game by 18 in the second half and were absolutely dominant before McCracken County cut it to nine early in the fourth and got it down to one in the final minute. Led by stellar performances from Caleb Stonecipher, who hit six three pointers, and Jared Burnett, both had 23 points, McCracken sliced into the lead and took the momentum away from Warren East. With the Mustangs crowd in full throttle and the Raiders missing a few key free throws midway through the fourth, the Raiders looked to be wilting a bit.
But Walker would make three late free throws, Dylan Whitney would finish with 16, most in the second half and most in the fourth period when no one else could get free down low, and McCracken would fall to the now 10-1 Raiders 93-89. Coach Casey Simpson told Jason Martin after the final buzzer in the postgame show that the Mustangs were State Tournament worthy and would be a tough out for anybody…just a very good basketball team.
Warren East travels to Campbellsville on the 26th and then they’re back at home to open 2014 against Adair County on January 7th.
Brandon Walker – 25
Mason Lee – 19
Dylan Whitney – 16
Aron Strange – 14
Kaleb Britt – 7
Marquise Jones – 5
Antwan Gilbert – 4
