District Player of Year Jalen Taulbee leads Breathitt to Back to Back titles with 21.
Campton, Kentucky, February 21, 2019 – Brendon D. Miller, Bluegrass Sports Nation
Breathitt County finished off a repeat in the 55th District defeating Wolfe County 92-76 in a fun, run and gun affair in Campton. In what has become one of the best rivalries in the Mountains, top District seed Breathitt and 2nd seed Wolfe faced off for the fourth time of the year with the District Title and area bragging rights on the line.
There are no secrets between these two. Coach John Noble of the Bobcats, and Coach Robert Scott Creech, each fully know the other’s style and team capabilities. These games simply come down to execution of the game plan and effort.
Both team like to play up tempo run and gun basketball as both have excellent guard play, and the 1st Quarter was just that. Wolfe point guard Wilgus Tolson paced Wolfe to start the game with seven in the quarter coupled with two big threes from Sawyer Thompson, and the hustle and rebounding of Cody Peyton. Breathitt countered with Senior Jalen Taulbee who continually drove and slashed for nine of the Bobcat’s 15 in the Quarter. End of the 1st, Wolfe led 17-15.
In the 2nd Quarter, Taulbee continued to shine with eight points, and Breathitt brought instant energy from Brandyn Slaughter off the bench with six. Breathitt got hot from downtown hitting four threes, with one each from Braxton O’hara, Kyle Fraley, Donavan Turner, and a buzzer beater at the half from J.T. Ohair. Tolson kept the Wolves close with nine more of his 20 for the game and Jaz Johnson adding five. The Ohair shot set the halftime score with Breathitt ahead 42-36.
The 3rd Quarter was the difference in this one. Breathitt outscored Wolfe 22-12 in the Quarter, and played physical basketball. Jack Fugate led the Bobcats in the Quarter with six points, and the Bobcat “Big” front line of Seniors Cameron Stacy and Chandler Howard each had a bucket a piece. Thompson added five more for the Wolves. Headed to the 4th, Breathitt led, 61-49.
Starting the 4th, Breathitt had their potent lineup on the floor of Taulbee and Fraley along with the athletic “bench crew” trio of Slaughter, O’Hara and Turner. Slaughter was huge on the glass and in the lane with nine of his 17 in the quarter. Fraley finished his District career with two trademark arching threes and eight of his 18. Wolfe rallied behind Hunter Brewer who had all of his 10 in the quarter and two threes by Johnson.
In the end, Breathitt took care of their business and kept the District hardware in Jackson. Breathitt is a Senior laden, experienced team and will be a 14th Region contender going into next week. Wolfe is a very, very young group with a ton of upside that no one will want to play next week, and will be a force in the next two years. This rivalry promises to only get better from here.
Scoring Summary:
BREATHITT: Team – 1st Quarter 15; 2nd Quarter 27; 3rd Quarter 22; 4th Quarter 28 – Total 92. Individual: Jalen Taulbee 21; Kyle Fraley 18; Brandyn Slaughter 17; Jack Fugate 9; Donavan Turner 7; Cameron Stacy 6; Chandler Howard 6; Braxton O’Hara 5; and J.T. Ohair 3.
WOLFE: Team – 1st Quarter 17; 2nd Quarter 19; 3rd Quarter 12; 4th Quarter 27 – Total 76. Individual: Wilgus Tolson 20; Sawyer Thompson 20; Jaz Johnson 13; Cody Peyton 13; and Hunter Brewer 10.
Breathitt improves to 20-9 on the season and will take on either Letcher Central, Estill County or the loser of the 54th District (Perry Central or Hazard) in the 14th Region Tourney next week. Wolfe is now 10-20 and will face either Powell County, Knott Central or the winner of the 54th District.
Bluegrass Sports Nation will bring you the 14th Region Draw on Saturday morning from Stanton, and will have full coverage next week of both the Boys and Girls 14th Region Tournaments!!!!
