Marshall County hosted McCracken in a heated doubleheader Thursday night, as both games came down to the final minutes. In the girls’ matchup, the Lady Marshals’ slow start did not prevent them from the win, as they erupted in the later stages to take home the 38-31 victory. In a back and forth boys’ contest, Marshall star Matthew Langhi drained a three at the buzzer to send the game in overtime, where Miles Woodfork and the Mustangs found their momentum and outlasted the Marshals 71-66.
LADY MARSHALS 38, LADY MUSTANGS 31
The first half of this game lacked the offense both of these squads are used to seeing. Kenzie Terry, who finished with a team high 12 points, got started early tie a three and five first quarter points, but that was nearly all the scoring for the Lady Marshals, as they led McCracken 8-7 at the first period break.
Ava Hughes strung together a few baskets in the second, including a converted and-one, as well as knocking down a three. All 10 of her points came in the first half, as the away team headed into the locker room up 20-15.
“I really just challenged them. I got upset at halftime. I used my coaching voice a little more than I wanted to,” Lady Marshals head coach Aaron Beth said following the win. “Our defense, we pressured them and forced I don’t know how many turnovers in the fourth quarter, but I know it was several. Then we were able to go down the court and hit some open shooters. When we had time to shoot the three, they went it.”
The Lady Marshals answered that challenge in the second half, holding McCracken to their lowest point totals yet, and eventually overtaking the lead in the fourth quarter. From there Terry escorted her squad to the finish as with seven points in the frame, and shooting a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. The final score ended as 38-31.
“I saw a lot of fight and a lot of effort,” Beth said. “We didn’t execute well at all and I think that’s obvious. They put a little pressure on, but we were just too tentative with he basketball. I thought the defensive effort was finally what we needed to have after the first two games. When we hold the other team to less than 35 points, I like our chances even when we don’t have great shooting night.”
McCracken County will now face Christian County this Saturday at home, while Marshall will take on Hopkins County Central Saturday at McCracken as apart of 2025 Holiday Hoopla Classic
MUSTANGS 71, MARSHALS 66
An incredible game from start to finish, the boys’ matchup showcased two of the best teams in not only the First Region, but in the state as a whole. The first quarter was a three point parade, both squads combining for six in the period. Neyland Jezik got the Marshals on the board with a three, and hit one in each quarter from the corner as part of his 14 points. He and the Marshals got out in front for a slight 16-14 lead after the first.
From there the game continued its theme of lead changes, and many more happened throughout the course of the game. The third quarter is when McCracken made their move out in front. They outscored Marshall 19-14 in that frame, and headed into he fourth up 48-46.
Down the stretch, McCracken’s Aaron Adams and Owen Grogan were doing their best to try and stop Matthew Langhi, but one of the Region’s premier talents will still find a way to make an impact on this game. McCracken looked to be in the driver’s seat with just 10 seconds to go. They were up three and at the free throw line, but missed both, giving the Marshals one last chance. This is where Langhi struck. He pulled up with a hand in his face on the wing and buried the deep three with just a second to go, tying the game at 58 points a piece, sending it to overtime.
The first part of overtime looked like a free throw contest, as each squad headed to the line for their opening points. That continued to be a theme for McCracken, as 11 of their overtime points came from the line. Langhi scored five and Ryan Stokes netted three in overtime, but ultimately wasn’t enough, as McCracken outlasted the home team, and took home the 71-66 win.
Newcomer Miles Woodford had his best game of the season, finishing with a game-high 31 points, 9-16 from the field and 10-14 from the charity stripe. It was clear the team and his coaches leaned on him when things got tough down the stretch, showcasing his ability to be a leader in a new environment.
“All three years I earned my spot,” Woodfork said after the game. “I have 1000 points and scored 20 a game last year. I’m just thankful coach believes in me and trusts me to go out there and do what I do.“
McCracken’s next game will be this Saturday at the Kenn-Tenn Classic against DuPont Manual, that game being held at Calloway County High School at 3:30 p.m. The Marshals also play at that tournament, and will face Northwest (TN) in the game before McCracken’s at 2 p.m.