A season filled with challenges and perseverance led to an intense 8th District Championship game Friday night, as the Christian County Colonels and the Hopkinsville Tigers left everything on the court. Both teams showed determination, effort, and skill, securing their spots as the top two teams heading into the Regional Playoffs.
The Colonels pulled out a hard-fought 57-53 victory, earning their second district championship in the last three years and third since the 2019-2020 season. However, the final score only tells part of the story. This game was about two teams pushing each other to compete at the highest level, proving why they are among the best in the district.
Christian County set the tone early with strong defensive play, limiting Hopkinsville’s scoring chances and going on a 9-0 first-quarter run to gain the lead. Hopkinsville battled back, adjusting their defense and finding momentum through the efforts of Jonathan Hart and Layton Giltner. Their late second-quarter push brought the Tigers within four at halftime, keeping the game up for grabs.
The second half was a physical contest, with both teams battling for every possession. In the paint, Christian County’s Rahsean Stevenson and Zyon Wharton clashed with Hopkinsville’s Giltner and Bradley, as both teams fought for control of the game. Hopkinsville tied the score early in the fourth quarter, but NaDarien Rowe’s three-pointer gave the Colonels a lead they would not give up.
With time winding down, the Tigers kept pushing, cutting the lead multiple times, but Christian County remained steady at the free-throw line, making 8-of-8 in the final quarter to maintain their advantage. Josh Bridges played a key role in securing the win, scoring 11 points in the final minutes and finishing with 13. He was supported by Zion Acree (12), NaDarien Rowe (11), and Kam Williams (10). Hopkinsville’s Bradley Jr. led all Tigers scorers with 15, followed by Giltner with 14 and Jayon Bass with 9.
Though Christian County took home the district title, both teams proved their strength and resilience. Their hard work has earned them a place in the Regional Playoffs, where they will continue to compete at a high level and represent the 8th District with pride.
Hopkinsville will take on Henderson County on March 6th at 6:00 PM, while Christian County will face Union County on March 5th at 7:30 PM. The next round will take place in the 2nd Region Tournament at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School, where both teams will look to continue their postseason success.
The journey isn’t over yet—both the Colonels and Tigers are ready to take the next step in the Regional Playoffs.
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