By JAMES BROWN
WCLU Sports
Barren County turned a 7-0, fourth quarter run into a 56-50 win over Allen County-Scottsville in the Boys 15th District Tournament on Wednesday night.
With 3:39 showing on the fourth quarter clock, the Trojans clung to a one-point lead, 43-42, when Weston Shelton hit a driving layup to start Barren’s run. Jaxson Byrd put back an offensive rebound 40 seconds later, and Gavin Nunn scored inside 25 seconds after that. Shelton added a free throw with 1:35 left in the game to give Barren a 50-42 lead.
From there, the Trojans hit six of six free throw attempts to seal the win.
Barren County coach Warren Cunningham said the win was a total team effort. Also, a defensive change proved effective.
“We went to the box-and-1, and Pedigo didn’t score anymore,” Cunningham said in his post game interview. “It turned the tide and we just stayed in it.”
Pedigo is the Patriots’ leading scorer and co-Fourth Region Player of the Year. He scored eight straight points for Allen in a little over a minute in the third quarter. His run gave the Patriots a 35-32 lead with 2:33 left in the third, and triggered a time out from Cunningham.
The Patriots scored only 15 more points in the game and Pedigo had none of them. Also, of those 15 points, two were on a goaltending call, and two were at the final buzzer.
The Trojans rode their inside advantage in the second quarter to build a 10-point lead. Center Gavin Nunn scored eight-straight points for Barren to open the period. A free throw by Carson Browning and a layup by Maddox Griggs handed the Trojans a 21-11 lead with 3:36 remaining in the first half.
“Gavin Nunn was a man tonight. He was a beast. He can separate us from teams,” Cunningham said.
Nunn added another basket before the break, and Barren led 23-18 at halftime.
Weston Shelton picked up the scoring slack in the third period with nine of his game-high 18 points.
“We always say it takes all of us and it does. Everybody made some plays,” Cunningham said.
The victory Wednesday punched the Trojans’ ticket to the tourney title game at 6 p.m. Friday against Glasgow at Glasgow.
“They’ve got a good team. Their speed and their athleticism caused us problems in both games,” Cunningham said.
Glasgow won in overtime at Barren, 64-56, on Jan. 9, and won at home, 54-44, on Jan. 23.
“What better way to play a district championship game, against your rival on their home court,” Cunningham said.
SCORING
Shelton, 18; Nunn, 15; Kade Hardy, 9; Jaxson Byrd, 5; Cameron Pippen, 3; Maddox Griggs, 3; Kataviun Fryar, 2; Browning, 1.
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