Bobcats Improve to 4-0, take on GRC on Satruday in Big Time matchup
JACKSON – December 15, 2023 – Brendon D. Miller
Breathitt County received had another early season test as they hosted Madisonville-North Hopkins from the 2nd Region at the Coliseum for a late night matchup on Friday Night. After a slow start in the first quarter, the Bobcats turned up the defensive intensity and looked every bit the part of a 14th Region contender and took control of the game in the second half enroute to the 87-75 win. Breathitt erased an eight point end of first quarter deficit by out-scoring the Maroons 52-35 in the second and third periods.
Austin Sperry was spectacular controlling the ball and dishing out mutliple assists, rebounding and had multiple blocks in addition to this 36 points on repeated drives to the basket. Breathitt’s backcourt is an absoulte problem matchup wise. In addition to Sperry, Seniors Isaac Bellamy (13 on FRiday) and Jaxon Hamilton (9) can both handle and penetrate and are knockdown three-point shooters and the three are equally as good on the defensive end.
The Bobcats really took control of the game in the third quarter behind the interior play of Braxton Terry and Canaan Gross. Terry had four buckets in the thrid and 13 in the second half along with controlling the glass and getting multiple 50/50 balls. Gross had six in the half and was a defensive force.
Madisonville was very athletic and Montae Ratliff led the Maroons with 18.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total | |
| BREATHITT | 14 | 23 | 29 | 21 | 87 |
| MADISONVILLE – NH | 22 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 75 |
INDIVIDUAL SCORING:
BREATHITT – Austin Sperry – 36, Braxton Terry – 17, Isaac Bellamy – 13, Canaan Gross – 10, Jaxon Hamilton – 9, Aaron Stallard 2.
MADISONVILLE – Montae Ratcliff – 18, Landen Smith -17, Kanyon Johnson – 12, Maverick Peyton – 10, Ryan Bryant – 7, Aaron Richardson – 5, Davien Cheirs – 2, Nolan Coffman – 2, Leon Howard – 2.
NEXT
Both Teams are back in action on Saturday with Breathitt traveling to Morehead to take on yearly state power GRC in the Stock Yards Bank & Trust Challenge with tip at 5:00 PM. Madisonville faces Perry Central at the ARH Big Lou Classic on in Hazard.