(by Don Meador, for The Citizen-Times, February 16, 2017)
The Allen County-Scottsville Patriots reached the 10-win mark for the 32nd time in 43 seasons last Thursday night, downing Metcalfe County 63-39. However, the win was the lone victory for the Patriots in the week’s three-game stretch. AC-S fell 46-43 to Greenwood on Tuesday before dropping a 75-43 setback Friday night to Franklin-Simpson, Region 4’s second-ranked team by a panel of regional sportswriters.
Sophomore guard Brett Rippy continued to overcome a recent scoring slump with a 20-point game against the Hornets Thursday at Metcalfe County. Rippy sank four three-pointers---part of a night in which the young point guard went eight of 12 from the floor. Junior Marcus Carter added nine points while senior Jack Ward chipped in eight points. Senior Will Calvert added a career-high eight points in just under 13 minutes of court time.
The Patriots never trailed in the game. After taking a 13-6 lead in the first period, AC-S outscored the Hornets 20-13 in the second quarter to open a 33-29 lead at halftime. The teams played a mainly even third period---won by the Patriots 12-10---before AC-S used an 18-10 fourth period to secure the win.
AC-S scored the win despite a somewhat off-shooting night from the floor. Known this season for their very solid shooting---especially in wins when the team had averaged over 60% shooting from the floor---the Patriots were a bit off in making shots. For the game, AC-S sank 24 of 57 shots (42.%) but was six of 11 from beyond the three-point line.
Defensively, AC-S held Metcalfe County (0-26) to 16 of 46 shooting (34.8%). The Hornets went 2 for 12 from three-point range. Metcalfe County---which has lost 41 of their last 42 games---was led in scoring by Caleb Brown---a former student at AC-SH---who tallied 13.
The Patriots lost the battle of the glass. Metcalfe County outrebounded AC-S 37-31 despite a nine-rebound night by senior patriot Kerby Carver. Carver recorded six rebounds for AC-S with Jack Ward, Calvert, and Chase Ward grabbing three rebounds.
A key stat in the game was the Patriots’ ability to hold onto the ball. AC-S had just four turnovers while forcing Metcalfe County into 16. AC-S scored eight points off of the Hornets’ miscues.
The Patriots’ week started with a strong performance against the Greenwood Gators—a game that would not be settled until the final seconds. However, unlike the Monroe County game from February 3---a game in which the Patriots’ won on a buzzer-beater by Carter---a last second shot missed the mark, giving the Gators the three-point win.
Greenwood entered the Tuesday contest fresh off an overtime loss to Bowling Green---the state’s top-rated team per sportswriters from the Associated Press. Greenwood’s play against Bowling Green highlighted the return of the Gators to District and regional contenders.
Hence, Patriot fans were hoping that facing the Patriots one night removed from the Bowling Green game might make the Gators’ susceptible to a Patriot team coming on an emotional high. Added to the mix was the knowledge that AC-S fans learned just prior to tip---Greenwood would be playing the game without two starters---Dawson Crump and Chris Argo---suspended for disciplinary reasons.
The result was a night geared toward the Patriots to record the upset---and AC-S responded with a gallant effort to pull off the win. Greenwood used a 12-4 first quarter to open the eight-point lead only to see the Patriots answer with a 15-11 second frame to close to within four, 23-19, at the half. The Gators used a 12-8 third quarter to open a seven-point lead, 35-28, headed to the final eight minutes.
Greenwood maintained their seven-point lead until a Rippy three at the 4:25 mark pulled the Patriots within four. Less than 30 seconds later, a floater by Rippy brought AC-S to within two. Then, with 3:19 left in the game, Carver’s three-point play gave AC-S a 41-40 lead.
The Gators Ben Carroll buried a three-pointer at the 2:58 mark as Greenwood retook the lead---the sixth time in the game the lead changed hands. Carrol scored again giving the Gators a 45-41 lead with 43 seconds left. Ward countered, scoring on a drive to the basket to make it a two-point game, 45-43. Gator Stephen Robertson would make one of two free throws at the seven second mark leaving AC-S with a shot to tie. Ward’s attempt from the left wing missed.
Rippy led the Patriots with 16 points on six of nine shooting from the floor. Four of Rippy’s six shots would be three-point baskets---a good shooting night for a player who entered the game suffering from a severe cold. Ward---coming on his career-best game of 26 against Monroe County---added 14. Carter was held to four points but led the Patriots with 11 rebounds.
The Patriots struggled to make shots throughout the game. In the end AC-S shot 38.3% (18-47) from the floor. However, from three-point range, the Patriots made five of their 10 attempts. At the line, AC-S sank two of their three free throw attempts.
Greenwood (17-12) went 17-47 from the floor, a 36.2% clip overall. The Gators’ principal threat was the long-range shot, evident by Greenwood’s nine of 27 shooting from beyond the arch. Five Gators sank three-pointers in the game---a stat that was instrumental in Greenwood avoiding the upset. At the foul line, Greenwood went three of six.
Greenwood grabbed 31 rebounds compared to 30 by the Patriots. The Gators committed 11 turnovers which led to 14 Patriot points. AC-S turned the ball over 10 times.
Friday, the Franklin-Simpson Wildcats were simply to strong for the Patriots. Led by Mr. Basketball candidate Tavin Lovan, the Wildcats jumped out to a 201-3 lead after the first quarter. A 19-10 second period gave Franklin a 39-23 lead at the half. The Wildcats outscored the Patriots 19-6 in the third frame and 17-14 in the final eight minutes to cruise to their 75-43 win.
Lovan----who is being recruited by several D-1 schools but is has yet to announce his college choice---led the Wildcats in scoring, finishing with 18 points. Lovan also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, dished out four assists, blocked two shots, and recorded two steals---despite playing less than 24 minutes.
Jack Ward led AC-S with 13 points. Ward went six of eight from the floor and one-for-one at the line. Carver added 11 points making five of the six shots he took in the game. Ward and carver’s hot shooting was part of a game in which AC-S made 47.5% of their shots (19-40) from the floor. However, AC-S only sank two three-pointers and went three of six at the foul line.
Troubled all night by the Wildcats’ quickness, AC-S turned the ball over 24 times, resulting in 28 Wildcat points. The Wildcats’ points in transition helped the visitors shoot 50% from the floor, making 30 of their 60 shots in the game. The Wildcats (21-6) went nine of 26 from three-point range and sank six of nine free throws in the game.
AC-S (10-16) will close out the regular season Friday night against Russell County (5-22). Prior to the game, the Patriot seniors---Jack Ward, Kerby Carver, Will Calvert, Ryan Conner, Wesley Fisher, and Dillon Reid----will be recognized for their years of devotion to the Patriot program.