Hazard Knocks Off Powell 58-39

David Leveridge- Bluegrass Sports Nation

March 1, 2019- Powell County High School

In the second game of the boys 14^th Region Semi- finals the Powell County Pirates champions of the 56^th District hosted the Hazard Bulldogs, runner up of the 56^th District, for a birth in the Regional Championship tomorrow night March 2, 2019.  The two teams have met on the hardwood once this season with Hazard coming away with a 15- point victory at Hazard’s Memorial Gym. 

From the opening tip Hazard was in control of the game.  Coach Al Holland had his Bulldogs prepared tonight with the Bulldogs scoring the first eight points of the game.  Hazard attacked the paint with Recce Fletcher and Logan Hall each having big moments in the first quarter.  Hazard’s Logan Hall had six points in the quarter, teammate Fletcher Contributed with four points in the quarter.  Powell County was bothered by the trapping defense and couldn’t get any flow to the offense.  Hazard’s Wade Pelfrey was able to drive to the basket and become hot shooting the ball in the first quarter, scoring four points in the quarter.  Once Powell County settled down and got over the initial run by Hazard the Pirates started to get into there offense and scored seven points in the quarter.  At the end of the first quarter Hazard led Powell 19-7.

Hazard continued to build on the momentum from the first quarter, when Austin Bennett made a 3 Pt basket, increasing the Bulldog lead to fifteen points.  The Bulldogs clicking on all cylinders continued to push the ball up the court, maintaining a comfortable thirteen to fifteen point through out the quarter.  Austin Bennett added another 3 PT basket late in the quarter, scoring eight points in the half.  Logan Hall Continued to cause matchup problems for the smaller Pirate defenders and added two additional points in the second quarter, tying him with Bennett.  Deshawn Williams of Powell County continued to attack the basket and was the bright spot for the Pirates in the second quarter scoring four points in the quarter.  Going into intermission Hazard had a commanding sixteen- point lead, Hazard 31- Powell 14.

Powell County facing a large deficit entering the third quarter, never quit competing even though the Bulldogs had a bigger front line and more experience.  Powell County’s DeShawn Williams put the team on his back continued to attack the rim and scored six unanswered points, to cut the Hazard lead to ten points.  Hazard responded with Jake Johnson scoring the ball as the Bulldogs broke the Powell press, or worked the ball behind the zone defense finding the forward in transition for uncontested shots.  Hazard regained their confidence and led Powell County 43- 28 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter Powell County wasn’t going down with out a fight.  The team put the ball in Williams hand and the talented point guard continued to attack the basket, scoring several baskets in the quarter.  Powell County quickly cut the Perry County lead to a manageable nine points with 4:32 remaining in the game.  Hazard 46- Powell County 37.  DeShawn Williams scored six unanswered points.  For the first time all evening Hazard appeared to lose their composure, committing multiple unforced turnovers allowing transition baskets.  After a quick timeout by Al Holland to settle down the Bulldogs, Hazard put the game out of reach when Wade Pelfrey and Jacob Johnson respond with a 5-0 run.  Powell County began to run out of gas, committing multiple turnovers down the stretch allowing Hazard to finish the quarter with a 7-2 run.  Hazard defeats Powell County 58- 39, advancing to the 14^th Regional Championship Game.

Hazard scoring:  1^st QTR 19 points/ 2^nd QTR 12 points/ 3^rd Quarter 12 points/ 4^th QTR 15 points.  Individual scoring Wade Pelfrey 10 pts, Logan Hall 8 pts, Reece Fletcher 12 pts, Austin Bennett 9 pts, Jarrett Napier 4 pts, Kyle Johnson 2 pts, Jacob Johnson 13 pts.

Powell scoring:  1^st QTR 7 points/ 2^nd QTR 7 points/ 3^rd QTR 14 points/ 4^th QTR 11 points.  Individual – DeShawn Williams 22 pts, Colby Cook 2 pts, Chimobi Creed 9 pts, Nathan Skidmore 4 pts, Luke Pasley 3 pts.

Hazard advances to the 14^th Regional Championship Game in a rematch of the finals of the 54^th District Championship.  Hazard will battle the Perry County Central Commodores tomorrow night for the Regional Championship.