Sperry leads Breathitt with 28, Jett with 27 for Tigers
JACKSON – December 11, 2023 – Brendon D. Miller
Breathitt and Jackson met for their first time in the 2023-24 season in the 55th opener for the Bobcats and second District game for the Tigers at the J.B. Goff Gymnasium. Breathitt opened both halves strong out-scoring the Tigers in both the 1st and 3rd quarters by eight. The Bobcats weres paced by Austin Sperry with a game-high 28 as he was able to get to the hoop multiple times in transition. Canaan Gross patrolled the paint with 16 for the Bobcats while Jaxon Hamilton (13) and Isaac Bellamy (10) were also in double-figures. Braxten Jett was spectracular for the Tigers displaying his all-around game with both inside moves and a silky jumper from the floor putting up 27. Paxten Howard was the only other Tiger in double-figures with 19 including two three-pointers.
Much credit to the Tigers in this one as Coach Karmit Back had to battle without Senior Dysonn Clair who was out with injury. There were multiple points in the game where it felt as though the Bobcats were about to put the game away, but each time the Tigers battled back and hit some big shots to keep them within striking distance.
1st Quarter
Breathitt started fast behind Gross as he was strong in the lane with four buckets for eight in the quarter while Sperry had three baskets for six. Jett had two field goals and Payton Tharpe hit a three. End of the first, Breathitt led 19-11.
2nd Quarter
Jett had three baskets and a couple free throws for eight and Gavan Ritchie came off the bench with an impressive performance and hit his first three of the game. Gross continued his strong game with three scores for six and Aaron Stallard gave the Bobcats great play in a reserve role with four. A late run in the quarter by the Tigers set the halftime score at 36-27 Bobcats.
3rd Quarter
Sperry went to work in the quarter with five field goals totalling 12 while Hamilton knocked down two threes for six. Howard had a three and two buckets, Jett added six more to his total, and Ritchie hit his second three. Headed to the fourth, Breathitt had extended the lead to 17 at 60-43.
4th Quarter
Breathitt hit four threes in the quater as Sperry had two to total eight and Bellamy and Hamilton each were hit one from long range. Jett and Howard both had seven to close out the game.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total | |
| BREATHITT | 19 | 17 | 24 | 19 | 79 |
| JACKSON CITY | 11 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 61 |
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
BREATHITT – Austin Sperry – 28, Canaan Gross – 16, Jason Hamilton – 13, Isaac Bellamy – 10, Braxton Terry – 7; Aaron Stallard – 4; Brantlee Campbell – 1.
JACKSON CITY – Braxten Jett – 27, Paxton Howard – 19, Gavan Ritchie – 6; Jacob Morgan – 5, Payton Tharpe – 4.
NEXT:
Jackson get right back up as they travel to Lee County on Tuesday Night for a 6:00 Tip. The game will be streamed LIVE on BSN.
Breathitt is not in action again until Friday night for a late 8:45 tip as Madisonville-North Hopkins visits the Coliseum. That game will be streamed LIVE on BSN as well.
