Powerhouse Bryan Station looked to continue its great season leading into districts, but would take a rough loss, losing at home against Woodford County 56-34.
“Just wanted to come in and get the win heading into districts, get our rhythm going,” Woodford Head Coach Jaron Brown said.
Woodford County got its rhythm flowing early in the game, stopping everything Bryan Station tried to throw at it. With this huge win, not only will its confidence be high, it will have a win over the fifth best team in state heading into districts next week.
The Woodford County Yellow Jackets looked to avenge a close loss from December of last year and they made sure to come in strong. Led by star player Armelo Boone, as well as Makhi Smith, the Yellow Jackets would take home a massive win, taking down the Defenders on their senior night.
“(We) hit free throws and 50/50 buckets,” Brown said.
Woodford would do just that, shooting 47.6% from the field and 66.7% from the free throw line, leading it to have 10-point or better lead at the end of every period outside of the ending period, which was tied up 12-12.
The Defenders went into the game looking for a more dominant win after a close battle on the road with the Yellow Jackets and to get their senior players a great win on their night to shine.
“Always big for senior night, we got seven of them, so (we) want them to go out with a bang. Woodford is a good team, but the main thing is playing hard and staying healthy with districts coming up next week,” Station Assistant Coach Jay Bordas said.
Star player Amari Owens tried to lead his team back from 10-point deficit at halftime, but could not get past the defense of Woodford County.
Normally averaging over 18 points per game, he would go 2-14 from the field and 1-6 from the free throw line.
Taeshawn Adams worked hard to pick up the slack, going 5-7 from the field, grabbing four rebounds and two blocks, but it wasn’t enough to come back against the resounding passing offense of the Yellow Jackets.
Station Head Coach Champ Ligon felt confident heading into the game that his team could keep its winning streak rolling and get its confidence and rhythm flowing by getting a strong win over Woodford County heading into districts.
“We gotta rebound, play defense,” Ligon said. “Woodford is a good team, can’t let Boone get rolling. He is an incredible player. When he gets hot, it’s gonna be a hard-fought competitive game.”
Coach Ligon’s game plan did not go as he or the team wanted as Boone would have a stellar performance, scoring 15 points along with going perfect from the line, getting two blocks and three steals. Boone would seal the game with an impressive steal leading to a breakaway slam dunk.
“It’s great, gives us great momentum going into districts. Winning by 22 couldn’t feel better,” Boone said.
With the loss, the Bryan Station Defenders fell to 22-6 on the season with the Woodford County Yellow Jackets now up to 12-11. The major upset win will likely raise them in the state rankings.
Bryan Station will be back in action Feb. 26 at 7:45 p.m. ET, taking on the Henry Clay Blue Devils at home. A live stream for the game will be on NFHS Network. Woodford County will step back on the court to start next week against the Shelby County Rockets at home on Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. ET.
