Friday night’s boys’ basketball matchup between Hopkinsville Tigers and Christian County Colonels marked more than just the start of District 8 play—it opened the final chapter of one of the area’s longest-standing rivalries.
With consolidation looming next season, the two programs will meet just twice in the regular season, with expectations already building that the rivals could clash again in the District Tournament. Friday’s game at Lyle Dunbar Gym served as the first of those final regular-season meetings, and the Tigers walked away with a 61–49 district win.
Before tipoff, Christian County honored its 2026 Hall of Fame class in what was the final rivalry game to be played inside Lyle Dunbar Gym. But once the ball went up, Hopkinsville quickly shifted the focus to basketball, closing the first quarter on an 8–0 run to take a 13–9 lead.
Christian County briefly controlled the early tempo, but foul trouble forced leading scorer and rebounder Rahsean Stevenson to the bench for much of the first half. Hopkinsville took advantage, building a lead that reached double digits in the second quarter. The Colonels answered late behind a strong stretch from Darren Bigbee, cutting the deficit to 27–24 at halftime.
Jay Henderson carried the offensive load early for Christian County, scoring 10 of the team’s first 14 points and finishing with a team-high 19 points.
Hopkinsville came out of the locker room with momentum, opening the third quarter on a 7–2 run and eventually stretching the lead to 13. Stevenson again picked up a foul early in the period, limiting Christian County’s ability to close the gap.
Tashaun Quarles sparked the Tigers in the second half, scoring 14 of his 19 points after halftime. Along with James Bradley Jr., who added 16 points, Hopkinsville maintained control throughout the fourth quarter and cruised to the win.
Jayven Battle chipped in 12 points for the Tigers, while Bigbee finished with 10 for the Colonels.
While Friday night belonged to Hopkinsville, the rivalry is far from finished. With two regular-season games scheduled between the longtime foes—and a strong possibility of a postseason showdown—this season promises several more emotional and competitive moments before Christian County High School and Hopkinsville High School officially become one.
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