(By Don Meador, The Citizen-Times, March 2, 2017)
The season has come to an end for the Allen County-Scottsville Patriot basketball team. Monroe County pulled away in the second half last week to down the Patriots 59-47 in the first round of the District 15 basketball tournament at Barren County.
The loss also marked the close of veteran coach Lex Lindsey’s one-year return to the sidelines. Lindsey informed his Patriot players late last week of his decision to return to retirement.
AC-S’s entered last week’s District 15 game with a degree of optimism---giving the fact that AC-S had defeated Monroe County 63-60 on February 3. However, coach Lindsey knew going in that recording a win over the Falcons would not be easy.
“I felt like that to win we would need to shoot 55-58 percent,” Lindsey said. “When we beat them, we shot 67% and still needed a three at the buzzer to get the win. So, we know we didn’t have much wiggle room last week.”
The Patriots and Falcons battled evenly in the first eight minutes. Led by the inspired play of senior Kerby Carver, the Patriots were with the Falcons throughout the first eight minutes. Carver single-handily scored AC-S’s first nine points, giving the Patriots a 9-8 lead at the 3;51 mark of the first. A jumper by Cayden Ross and a three-point play from Brett Rippy enabled AC-S to lead 14-13 at the first stop.
The Falcons pulled ahead 18-14 following a 5-0 run to stared the second quarter. A three-pointer by Rippy and a carver basket put the Patriots back ahead, 19-18. The teams traded baskets until ben Massengille canned a three at the 1:50 point to lift his team to a 23-21 lead at the 3:12 mark. Two free throws from Marcus carter tied the game at 23 with Monroe County added a jumper to otake a 25-24 lead to the halftime break.
The game would shift in Monroe County’s favorite in a two to three minute stretch to start the second half. A 9-2 run by Monroe County enabled the Falcons to open a 34-26 lead by the 5;03 mark of the third.
:”There was a two minute stretch when we had some turnovers and took a couple of shots that I wasn’t crazy about,” Lindsey explained. “That gave Monroe a six to eight point lead that we were never able to recover from.”
Yet, AC-S did attempt to fight back. Ross sank a three to trim the lead to five, 34-29. Later in the quarter, back-to-back buckets from Carter and Jack Ward have the Patriots within two, 36-34, with 1:36 left in the third. However, Massengille buried a second three to end AC-S’s rally. The teams traded hoops before Carver scored late in the period to bring AC-S to within three, 41-38.
Monroe County shut the door on AC-S in the early minutes of the final period. Using an 8-1 run---capped off by a Tucker Kirkpatrick three-pointer---the Falcons opened a 10-point lead midway through the fourth period. The lead grew to 12 by the 3:15 mark. Missed Falcon free throws helped the Patriots close to within seven before Monroe County pushed the lead back to double-digits in the final minutes.
The Patriots finished the night shooting 41.9 percent from the floor (18-43) including three of 12 from three-point range. At the line, AC-S was eight of 13. Monroe County went 20-44 from the floor (45.5 percent), seven of 25 from three-point range, and 12 of 24 at the foul line. AC-S out rebounded Monroe County, 24-21.
“For about 30 minutes in the game we played well,” Lindsey said. “Our players carried out the game plan. The difference in the game was that we blinked. Our guys did as well as they could.”
Carver led AC-S with 16 points in his final game in the Patriot uniform. Rippy added eight points as did Ross.
Lindsey was quick to note how proud he was of the effort put forth by the Patriots last week and this season.
“A few days into practice, I was preparing myself for a team that might win three or four games,” Lindsey noted. “But, the guys started to improve. By the end of the year, these guys had improved as much as any group that I have ever coached. We never had a bad practice. I will not have to worry about them going forward. They will be okay.”
Following the District 15 tournament, several Patriot players received special awards. Carver was named to the All-Tournament Team. Ward, Rippy, and Carter were named to the All-District, All-Season team. Senior Wesley Fisher earned All-District, All-Academic honors.
The loss Tuesday was followed by Lindsey informing the team later in the week that he is stepping aside.
“I’m tired,” Lindsey admitted.
Lindsey looked back to early last fall. Fall break was approaching and the Patriots were without a coach. At that point, Lindsey fielded an inquiry from AC-S athletic director Kerry Harwood.
“When coach Harwood called, I knew about the effort, energy, and time it would take,” Lindsey admitted. “But, I told him that if you can’t find anyone, I will get you through this year. I was honored to have the opportunity to get back on the sidelines. I wanted to help AC-S out.””
Lindsey admitted that the season was exhausting, helping to rebuild a Patriot team that came into this year after a 6-23 campaign.
“By mid-January, I was exhausted,” Lindsey said. “There is a reason that most high school teams are coached by 30-40 year olds. It is exhausting.”
Hence, Lindsey has decided to return to retirement---and leaves the program with nothing but great memories and best wishes.
“There was nothing negative about this season,” Lindsey explained. “Yes, I wish we had won a few more games but the kids worked hard. They always gave their best. The parents and the community were so supportive. The season was a lot of fun. The school and community were great.”
Lindsey also announced his intentions early---hoping that the decision would also benefit the Patriot program.
“I quit this early so that AC-S’s name would be at the top of everyone’s list,” Lindsey added. “I have already spoken with a couple of guys that might be interested in applying.”
The Patriots (10-19) will lose six seniors; Jack Ward, Will Calvert, Kerby Carver, Ryan Conner, Wesley Fisher, and Dillon Reid. However, the team will return three starters---senior to be Marcus Carter and rising juniors Brett Rippy and Cayden Ross. The roster is also expected to include rising seniors Sam Clarke and Brock Meador---both of whom recorded several minutes on the varsity team this season.
Lindsey steps aside with an overall coaching record of 230-79. The Patriots will go forward with an overall 43-year record of 594-596, just six wins shy of reaching the 600-win mark.