Lyon County claims Kentucky state basketball championship with 67-58 win over Harlan County

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
In a storybook ending, Kentucky's Mr. Basketball led a band of small-town visitors into Rupp Arena and claimed the state high school basketball championship with a  67-58 win over Harlan County on Saturday night.

Travis Perry poured in 27 points in his final high school game, but teammates Jack Reddick (16 points) and Brady Shoulders (15 points) finished the job to become only the 6th "Class A"-sized school to take the state title, and the first since 1996.

Once again, the Lyons' tenacious defense held down the offensive output of their opponent. Trent Noah scored the 4th-highest 4-game total in tournament history, but he was held to 17 points in the final. Maddox Huff led Harlan County (34-5) with 22.

Perry was named the state tournament MVP. He also ended his high school career with the state's highest ever point total at 5,481.

Lyon County, who fell in the quarterfinals of the past two state tournaments, finish their championship season with a record of 36-3.



SEMIFINAL GAME:
David and Goliath comparisons were not quite appropriate, but Lyon County did face an uphill battle against the top-ranked and super-sized Great Crossing squad on Saturday in Rupp Arena.

Travis Perry and his teammates were more than big enough for the task as they took down the taller crew from Scott County, 58-49 in the semifinal round of the boys Sweet Sixteen.

The loss snapped Great Crossings' 84-game winning streak against Kentucky schools. Meanwhile, Lyon County is riding its own 16-game win streak into the state championship game.

The Lyons took control and led for most of the game. They executed a game plan that nullified Great Crossings' 7-foot one-inch All-Stater Malachi Mareno. The big man finished with 12 points to go with 14 rebounds, but the Lyons' defense held Great Crossings to just 37 per cent shooting..

Meanwhile Perry played his typical game with 24 points to lead both teams. This year's Kentucky Mr. Basketball added to his all-time state scoring record, now at 5,454 points. (He's also 39 points away from moving into the top 5 of the nation's all-time scorers.)

Brady Shoulders added 13 points for the Lyons, and Jack Reddick chipped in 11.

Lyon County (35-3) will face either Harlan County (33-4) or Evangel Christian (31-6) tonight at 6:30.

The game can be heard on 99.5 The Fan.