By Nick Jones | @Kernel_Nick

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BENTON, Ky – In a game without the teams’ star player, 2013 UK signee Derek Willis, Bullitt East High School came out on top in a close game with Hopkinsville at Hoopfest on Saturday afternoon.

Rusty Troutman, a 6-foot-5 guard, finished the game with 32 points and 10 rebounds for Bullitt East, leading his team to the 78-65.

Troutman, a 2013 Bellarmine University signee, earned game MVP honors.

6-foot-7 forward Elliot Jones contributed to Bullitt East’s victory with a double-double of his own, scoring 12 points and collecting 12 rebounds.

Willis was absent from competition as the 6-foot-9 forward was serving the final game of a two game suspension following his ejection in Bullitt East’s game with Lafayette Monday.

When asked about the ejection, the only word he could use to describe the entire situation was “embarrassing.”

“I talked to coach Orlando (Antigua) about it. It’s something I will learn from,” Willis said.

The next UK interest at hoopsfest will be at 8 p.m. EST when Fort Travis, feating Aaron Harrison and Andrew Harrison, play Madison Central.

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