On Thursday, the Grayson County Cougar basketball team filled the last open spot in the KABC Titan Shootout in Shelbyville. The field involved three different brackets and 128 teams.
The slot that the Cougars filled gave them a Saturday evening first-round game with two-time defending 2nd Region champion Lyon County before a matchup with perennial power Scott County. They returned to action on Sunday with a win over Collins and a tight loss to another historical power Mason County.
Lyon County
It was no secret that the first game of the tournament was going to be a challenge for the Cougars. Not only were they without their head coach Travis Johnston (who had a wedding to attend), but they were also matched up with Lyon County. The Lyons are led by Travis Perry who last season broke the all-time scoring record in KHSAA record. A mark that had been held by “King” Kelly Coleman since 1956.
To add to the pressure, the game was filled with a group of college coaches, most of who were there to see Perry but also to catch a glance at what the state has coming in the next few years. Some schools represented included head coaches from Purdue, Cincinnati, and Centre, along with assistants from Notre Dame, IUPUI, Florida, Michigan, Western Kentucky, Kentucky Wesleyan, and more.
A full group of coaching staffs in attendance to watch Kentucky’s top ranked player Travis Perry against Grayson County. Schools represented include Notre Dame, Purdue, Michigan, Florida, Cincinnati, WKU and others. Perry is the all-time leader in points in #KHSAA history. pic.twitter.com/4RG0ByVSv8
— Sam Gormley (@GormleyPxP) June 17, 2023
A tall task was at hand and Grayson County was up for the challenge to start. After the Lyons’ Brady Shoulders got the scoring started, Brody Armstrong nailed a three-pointer to give the Cougars the early advantage. Tayden Logsdon and Jack Logsdon each followed that up with successful trips to the free throw line and things were looking bright with a 7-4 lead.
The Lyons would later take the lead on a basket by Shoulders but consecutive steals by Jack Logsdon, one of which was of Perry, brought the game back to within one. A three by the Lyon County standout late in the quarter would give them a 17-13 lead at the break.
Jack Logsdon would have the first points of the second quarter to bring the game to within two points but once again, the yellow-clad Lyons had an answer, and the game would never be closer.
Lyon County led 40-28 at the half and outscored the Cougars 30-6 in the third quarter en route to a 97-52 victory.
Perry finished with 21 points in the game to lead all scorers. For Grayson County, Jack Logsdon had 16 points and three rebounds while also adding four assists and four steals. Armstrong and Landon Haycraft each had seven points with Tayden Logsdon and Zak Bratcher having six.
Scott County
A short bus ride and an hour break sent Grayson County to Shelby County West Middle School for their second-round matchup against Scott County.
It was the Logsdons, Tayden and Jack, who carried the load for Grayson County in the first half against the Cardinals. Both had nine points apiece and the Cougars had a 25-24 lead at the break.
The third quarter was just about as bad as it could have gotten. They were outscored 26-4 in the period and all of their points came from the free-throw line. It wasn’t poor shooting that caused the issues as well as they only attempted three shots from the field but had six turnovers.
The fourth quarter clearly showed fatigue for both teams and Scott County held on for the 58-40 lead to close the day.
Jack Logsdon had 14 points and nine rebounds in the game. Tayden Logsdon joined him in double-figures with 11 points and a pair of rebounds. Brody Armstrong had six points and eight rebounds.
Sunday Games
Grayson County stayed in the Shelbyville area on Saturday night and were back at Collins High School on Sunday morning for a game against the host Titans. The Titans are coached by Grayson County Hall of Famer Chris Gaither. It was the Cougars who came away with the big win 48-42 to play another game.
They moved on to face Mason County and had a double-digit lead slip away in a 74-69 loss.
Grayson County will close summer play this week with a pair of trips. On Tuesday, they will head to Bardstown before going to Daviess County on Thursday.
By Sam Gormley, Play-By-Play Announcer/Local Sports
Reach Sam at sam@k105.com
