WEBSTER COUNTY, KY (2/8/12) – The Trojans are peaking at just the right time ... Tournament time!
Webster County Trojans posted two more victories last week including another dominating win over district-rival Union County on Friday. The Trojans remain red hot, winning eight of their last 10 games and improving to 15-8 on the season. WCHS also holds a 2-1 district record and looks to claim the regular season district title this Friday night, hosting Henderson County. Winner of the contest will earn the top seed in the Sixth District Tournament later this month and an automatic bid into the Second Region tourney. Friday’s game will be the nightcap of a boy/girl doubleheader with annual Homecoming activities between games.
Webster County 62
Union County 45
While the Union County coaching staff had its defensive game plan focused on high-scoring senior Jacob Scott, the rest of the Trojans stepped to the front to spark the tournament-atmosphere win Friday in Morganfield. Union County (8-15) deployed a box-and-one defense on Scott for the entire first half. The strategy worked as Scott was limited to just seven points in the first two quarters. But the Trojans quickly showed they’re not a one-man show as they gained a 16-11 lead at the first break and then held the Braves scoreless through the first 4:01 of the second quarter. Webster used a 17-2 run at the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second to take control of the game. Senior guard Clay Putman scored eight of his 10 points in the run including two 3-pointers. “This was a great win for our program. They (Union) started the game with the box-and-one and I thought our kids did a tremendous job of being patient and getting some easy looks on offense,” noted first-year head coach Jon Newton. “Clay did a great job of making the correct reads against the zone and dumping it off to our post players.”
Webster stretched its lead to 32-18 at halftime with excellent defense, holding Union to just seven points in the period. “Our defensive effort was the key to the victory. I thought our kids were really focused,” Newton added. Union abandoned the defensive technique on Scott in the second half and he made them pay. The talented senior exploded for 16 straight points to open the second half, hitting a pair of 3-pointers and a array of driving baskets that UCHS had no answer for. He finished with a game-high 30 points. “Jacob can no longer be consider just a shooter by opposing teams. He’s elevated his game to a new level and become an all-around player,” Newton continued. “He can get to the rim and then cash-in when at the free throw line.” Scott finished with four 3-pointers on the night and hit all eight of his free throw attempts in the fourth quarter. He currently is the state’s leading free throw percentage shooting and has a chance to set an all-time record in state history for free throw shooting percentage. Taylor Turner had a strong inside game with a game-high 10 rebounds and four points. Dan Boswell and Blake Major added two points each while Jalen Baxter finished with three points. Jason Hook and Landon Harting gave the Trojans a spark off the bench with four points apiece.
Webster County 54
Owensboro Catholic 36
Webster picked up an easy win last Tuesday night in the Sports Center in Owensboro over a good Aces squad. Jacob Scott paced a very balanced WCHS scoring attack with 17 points. It certainly wasn’t one of his highest-scoring nights of the season but it will be a night to remember as he became a member of the Trojan 1,000 point club. “This is a huge accomplishment for Jacob and our program. I can’t think of a kid that’s put more time and effort into this game throughout his career. I know it was goal for him coming into the season and it’s just an incredible milestone,” Newton said of his senior. Webster eased out to a 12-8 first quarter lead and then used a stingy defense to limited OC to just eight points in the second quarter. Leading 30-16 at halftime, the Trojans maintained that strong defense in the third quarter to expand their lead to 39-23.
“I was really pleased with our defense all night. I think the guys were ready to get back on the court and move on from the loss in the All “A” state tournament,” Newton explained. “This says a lot about our character and the ability to turn the page and focus on the rest of the season with the type of effort we gave.”
WC seniors Taylor Turner and Jason Hook continued their solid play scoring nine and eight points respectively and both hauling in eight rebounds. Blake Major added seven points while Clay Putman chipped in with four and Jalen Baxter three points. Dan Boswell, Ben Brumfiel and J. D. Newton scored two points each to complete the WCHS scoring.
Charlie Hust
Journal Enterprise
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