Caldwell County entered the 7th District tournament championship game on a seven-game winning streak and with intentions of ending Madisonville-North Hopkins’ lengthy reign as district champion.
The Maroons would have none of that.
Third-ranked Madisonville (28-3) led wire-to-wire, turning back the upstart Tigers 85-58 Friday night at Maroon Gym in Madisonville.
Ksuan Casey had 24 points and Kenny White added 21 for the Maroons, who head into next week’s 2nd Region tournament at Hopkinsville High School as the clear favorite to return to Rupp Arena for the second straight season.
Madisonville ran out to a 25-11 lead after one quarter, but Caldwell (16-15) tried to stay in the game, getting back to within 42-31 at the break.
The Tigers needed a run in the second half to make things interesting, but instead the Maroons outscored Caldwell 20-7 in the third quarter to seize full control of the contest.
Madisonville went to the final frame with a 62-38 lead and cruised to its 11th straight 7th District championship.
Marquise Parker had 13 points for the Maroons while Deljuan Johnson added nine.
For Caldwell, Jamarius Blaine had 18 points and Tripp Branch had 16. Adarius Riley added nine for the Tigers.
Both teams advance to next week’s regional tourney. Pairings will be determined Saturday morning.
As a district champion, Madisonville will draw either Crittenden County, Henderson County or University Heights.
As a runner-up, Caldwell will get either Lyon County, Webster County or Christian County.
First round games will be played Wednesday and Thursday at Hoptown’s Tiger Gym.
Caldwell County 11 20 7 20 — 58
Madisonville-NH 25 17 20 23 — 85
Caldwell County (16-15) — Blaine 18, Branch 16, A. Riley 9, Smiley 7, Fraliex 6, Ray 2.
Madisonville-North Hopkins (28-3) — Casey 24, White 21, Parker 13, Johnson 9, Stone 7, Gaines 5, Tow 4, Frazier 2.