On the third day and session one on Friday Scott County faced Johnson Central in the quarterfinals of the Whitaker KHSAA Boy’s Sweet Sixteen. Both teams advanced with wins on the first day of the tournament Wednesday morning.
Scott County jumped out to a 16-8 lead after one quarter but Johnson Central responded by outscoring the Cardinals 16-15 in the second period making the score, Scott County 31 Johnson Central 24. Scott County shot 38% (11-29) from the field,25%(3-12) from 3 point land and 6-6 from the free throw line in the first half as the Johnson Central Eagles shot a poor 26%(7-27) and 0 for 6 from 3 point land and 53% (10-19) from the charity stripe. Scott County’s #12 Trent Gilbert led all scores with 18 in the first half. #3 Braxton Blair led the Eagles with 9 points in the first half while #24 Shane Hall had 4 points and 7 rebounds.
Scott County out rebounded the Eagles 24-17 in the first half but the Cardinals had 11 turnovers in which the Eagles converted them into 11 points. The Eagles on the other hand  committed 5 turnovers in the first 16 minutes.
The Eagles never gave up and came out in the third quarter with intensity as Johnson Central outscored Scott County 16 to 12 making the score 43-40 after 24 minutes of hardwood action. After 3 days of basketball action the Cardinals and Eagles made it one of the most exciting and intense games of the tournament  and definitely giving the fans their moneys worth.
The Eagles tied the game with 4:44 left in the 4th on two Shane Hall free throws and the Cardinals responded on the next possession with a Hines Jones 3 pointer to give the Cardinals a 52-49 lead with 4:29 left in the game. Hall  kept the Eagles within striking distance with dunk and sinking two more free throws but the whole team went cold only scoring 7 points in the last 4 minutes. Scott Cthe scoounty’s #3 Austin Kendred fouled out with 3:13 remaining in the fourth quarter with re 56-53 in Scott County’s favor but the Eagles never could get any closer due to Trent Gilbert making them pay for fouling him as Gilbert went  6 for 6 at the charity stripe icing the game and a perfect 14 for 14 during the game. Gilbert shot an impressive 92% from the line this year and showed poise on the big stage as the Cardinals never looked back defeating the Eagles 64-55 at the end of regulation.
Scott Count’s #12 Trent Gilbert was named the Kentucky National Guard Player of the Game by pouring in 29 points (14 from the line) and snagging 8 boards. Gilbert shot (6-15) from the field and (3-6) from behind the 3 point mark. This is Gilbert’s second Kentucky National Guard Player of the Game honor of the tournament.
Gilbert and the starters had help as Scott County’s bench scored 20 points.  The Cardinals scored 28 points in the paint, converted 20 points off  Eagles turnovers. Other Cardinals that stood out were #11 Hines Jones who scored 9 points and grabbed 9 boards and #3 Austin Kendred also scored 9 while grabbing 6 boards before fouling out.
The Eagles #24 Shane Hall had a double double scoring 21 and grabbing 14 boards. #3 Braxton Blair scored 15 while #21 Kyle Gullett scored 8 points, 6 boards and 4 assists. Johnson Central scored 30 points in the paint, 7 points off turnovers, 7 second chance points, 8 from breakaways but only 1 point from the bench. Congrats to the Eagles for a great season and great run to make it to the Sweet Sixteen.
Scott County moves on to face Trinity High School (Louisville) in the semifinals and the game is scheduled to tip off Saturday March 22nd at 6:30 pm.(EST)
