Wilgus Tolson sinks the game winner at the Buzzer for Wolfe 62-60 win.
JACKSON – February 28, 2020 – BRENDON D. MILLER
Breathitt and Wolfe rarely disappoint and the battle for the 2020 55th Title, was no exception. A taught classic that will only add fire to this intense rivalry.
Wolfe swept Breathitt during the regular season taking the first meeting in December in Jackson 69-58 as the Breathitt football players were still getting acclimated to the Court, and 75-74 in a dandy in late January as Wilgus Tolson hit the game winner. Breathitt, despite their 13-15 record, was intent on three-peating for the title, and the the Wolves were intent on taking the trophy back to Campton.
Breathitt got the tip, but Wolfe took the early lead behind the early offense of 8th Grader Skylar Ritchie. Ritchie had three early baskets for six of Wolfe’s 11 in the 1st Quarter. Breathitt star Sophomore Jaylen Turner was active and effective in the Quarter scoring all seven Bobcat points. End of the 1st, Wolfe lead 11-7.
Breathitt received a huge contribution in the 2nd Quarter from Senior Ty Carter. Carter came off the bench to score seven for the Bobcats and Senior Jack Fugate knocked down his first three of the night scoring five. at the half, Breathitt led 25-23.
The second half was one for the history books. Wolfe heated up from behind the arc hitting four threes, one each by Jaz Johnson and Wilgus Tolson, and Elijah Tolson swished two. Breathitt Freshman Big Man Bryce Hoskins pumped in six for the Bobcats and Turner added four to his account. Headed to the 4th Quarter, Breathitt led 45-44.
The 4th Quarter was great basketball. Fugate led balanced scoring for the Bobcats with two big threes and Turner had a huge steal and break away dunk. A great sequence with under two minutes to go, after the Turner pilfer and dunk, Turner dished to Fugate on the break who daggered a corner three to put Breathitt up 58-56. With the crowd in a frenzy, Wilgus Tolson immediately answered and sank a corner three while being fouled for a four-point play, to put Wolfe up 60-58 with 1:10 on the clock. After a Breathitt basket the teams were tied at 60 with 7.6 seconds on the clock and Wolfe in possession.
On January 4th, Wolfe Head Coach Robert Scott Creech, dialed up Tolson driving to the left baseline for the game winner. This time, Tolson again drove to the left, but pulled up at the elbow and coolly sank the game and District Title winner.
It simply does not get any better in Mountain High School Basketball than this battle, and it was a privilege to have called this one.
SCORING
WOLFE COUNTY 11-12-21-18 = 62
Wilgus Tolson – 19; Sawyer Thompson – 11; Elijah Tolson – 11; Jaz Johnson – 9; Skylar Ritchie – 6; Hunter Brewer – 4; Cody Peyton – 2.
BREATHITT COUNTY 7-18-20-15 = 60
Jaylen Turner – 17; Jack Fugate – 14; Ty Carter – 10; Luke Bellamy – 7; Bryce Hoskins – 6; Braxton O’Hara – 5; Tyler Christy – 1.
NEXT:
Both teams now advance to the 14th Region Tournament at Knott Central beginning on Wednesday. The Regional Draw is Saturday at noon. Wolfe County will play either Knott Central, Perry Central or Owsley County. Breathitt will play either Hazard, Estill County or Letcher Central.
BSN will have full game by game coverage of the Regional Tournament.
