Hazard Advances to 54th District Finals with 58-43 Win over Leslie

Jacob Johnson chosen as Player of the Game with 17 points.

Hazard, Kentucky, February 19, 2019 – David Leveridge for Bluegrass Sports Nation

John C. Combs Arena- The Boys 54^th District Basketball Tournament opening round tipped off tonight as the Hazard Bulldogs (23-7) battled the Leslie County Eagles (7-19).  Tonight’s matchup is the fourth time this season the two teams have played as Hazard in previously 3-0 against the Eagles.  Although, Hazard is undefeated against the Eagles the margin of victory has been decreased each contest with the Bulldogs margin of victory ranging from 20 points during the first contest to 10 points in the last contest. Tonight’s game should be won by the team that wins the boards and commits the least number of turnovers.

Entering tonight’s contest Hazard sets atop the Region standings at 23-7 overall, 12-5 in Region play and 4-3 in 54^th District play.  Hazard is one of the favorites to not only win the District but has a legitimate chance on winning the 14^th Region.  Leslie County has struggled this season with an overall record of 7-19, 5-9 in Region play and 1-5 in District play.  Although Leslie County has a losing record the Eagles are a scrappy team and one of the most physical teams in the entire region.   

Hazard gets the tip and immediately look for Reece Fletcher down low to score the ball.  Fletcher scores on the first possession and scores soon after with another basket in the post.  Hazard is much bigger at the center and forward positions and early on the offense revolves around talented forwards Reece Fletcher and Logan Hall.  Hazard leads Leslie County 6-0, but Leslie Counters with a 5-0 run.  Recce Fletcher adds another basket late in the quarter and Hazard leads Leslie County 9-5 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter the scoring picks up for both teams.  Hazard’s Reece Fletcher picks up an early personal foul, his second of the game forcing the talented big man to set the remainder of the half.  Hazard’s Austin Bennett gets hot from behind the ARC with a made 3PT baskets early in the quarter.  Hazard continues to look inside for scoring and forward Jacob Johnson scores on several baskets in the low post.  For Leslie County scoring comes form Trenton Day with multiple baskets in the quarter.  With 2:17 remaining in the half Hazard leads Leslie County 24- 14.  Hazzard Austin Bennett connects with another 3 PT basket late in the quarter and Hazard leads Leslie County 27-16 at intermission.

Hazard continues to look for the ball down low in the third quarter taking advantage of the size mismatch against the Eagles.  Hazard is a much bigger team and the Bulldogs look to the post for Logan Hall, and Jacob Johnson.   Reece Fletcher doesn’t score in the quarter but is a force on the boards grabbing several critical rebounds.  Leslie County was able to keep the game close with the play of Trenton Day and Trent Asher, cutting the Bulldog lead to five points with 3:40 remaining in the quarter.  Hazard’s Jacob Johnson scores the ball late in quarter and the Bulldogs lead Leslie County 41-33 at the end of the third quarter.

Hazard starts to pull away in the fourth quarter putting the game out reach, again with the scoring in the post by the two talented Forwards in Logan Hall, and Jacob Johnson.  Leslie County continues to compete, but the size advantage of the Bulldogs is too much to overcome against the smaller Leslie County Eagles.  Midway through the fourth quarter Hazard develops a comfortable 18-point lead, Hazard 53- Leslie County 35.  With the lead Hazard starts to hold the ball eliminating possessions by the Eagles.  Austin Bennett Of Hazard continues to be effective from behind the ARC knocking down several shots in the quarter.  Hazard goes on to defeat Leslie County 58- 43 advancing to the Boys 54^th District Championship game playing the winner of tomorrow night’s game between the Buckhorn Wildcats and the Perry County Central Commodores. 

Hazard’s # 22 Jacob Johnson is chosen as the Player of the game presented by the National Guard Armory.  Johnson was tied with Austin Bennett with 17 points in the game.

 Hazard Bulldog scoring 58

• #13 Wade Pelphrey 3 points all in the third quarter
• #30 Logan Hall 12 points with 2 in first quarter, 2 in second quarter, 4 in third quarter and 4 in the fourth quarter.
• # 21 Reece Fletcher 6 points all in the first quarter.
• #22 Jacob Johnson- Player of the game with 17 points in the game 8 points in the second quarter, 7 points in the third quarter, and 2 points in the fourth quarter
• #20 Kyle Johnson 2pts in the game, 2 pts in the 2^nd quarter.
• #2 Austin Bennet 17 points in the game, 2pts in the first quarter, 6 points in the second quarter, 9 points in the 4^th quarter.
• #10 Dylan Combs 1 PT in the game, 1 Pt in the fourth quarter.

Leslie County Scoring 43

• #23 Randal Brock 2 pts in the game with 2 pts in the second quarter
• #2 Alex Farler 10 points in the game, 2 pts in the first quarter, 2 pts in the second quarter, 5 pts in the third quarter, and 1 pt in the fourth quarter.
• #4 Wyatt Hensley 5 pts in the game, 1 Pt in the second quarter, 2 Pts in the third quarter, and 2 PTs in the fourth quarter
• #10 Trent Asher 4 Pts in the game, 4 pts in the third quarter.
• #12 Trenton Day game High 22 points, 3 pts in the first quarter, 6 points in the second quarter, six points in the third quarter, 7 points in the fourth quarter

Hazard improves on the season with an overall record of 24-7, 13-5 in 14^th Region Play, and 5-3 in 54^th District play.  Leslie County finishes the season with a record of 7-20 Overall, 5-10 in 14^th Region Play, and 1-6 in 54^th District play.  The Bulldogs advance to the 54^th District Championship game waiting the winner of Perry County Central and the Buckhorn Wildcats.