HOT START HELPS SOUTH LAUREL RISE OVER GREEN COUNTY
The South Laurel Cardinals opened their first-round game in the Dribble Drive Challenge against the Green County Dragons.
A strong defensive effort by the Cardinals jumpstarted their early advantage over the Dragons. South held Green County to only twelve points in the first quarter of the contest. The Dragons climbed back in the second quarter, tightening the score 41-30 heading into the half.
In the third quarter, South Laurel pushed toward putting the game away. Behind the scoring efforts of Eli Gover, Parker Payne, and Jordan Made, their team would push ahead 68-45. The Cardinals would expand their scoring total, winning the game 79-56 over the Green County Dragons.
Coach Davis felt like the team was locked in defensively and was pleased with the play of his squad at the start of the game. “We played with a lot of energy. Defensively we were locked in. We lost that focus in the second quarter, and the start of the third. We must get better at finishing possessions and quarters. Overall, I was pleased with how we performed”.
Jordan Mabe made several big plays for the Cardinals tonight. From blocks to defensive rebounds, offensive rebounds, and scoring, Mabe did a little bit of everything. “Our defensive performance tonight fed into our offensive output. The defense built up momentum and helped us put points on the board to maintain our lead”.
Eli Gover led South Laurel in scoring tonight but agreed the defensive effort contributed to the victory. “I believe it helped attribute to the victory tremendously. We came out with energy and kept them down on offense, putting them out of their groove”.
The next matchup for Jeff Davis and the South Laurel Cardinals will be tomorrow against Louisville Central in the tournament semifinals. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm. The winner of this matchup will advance to the Dribble Drive Challenge championship game Thursday.
Scoring: Gover 28, Payne 17, Mabe 10, Jones 9, Steele 7, Fullmer 4, Triplett 2, Bundy 2
-Dylan Wilson, SL Basketball Media
