Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Cowboys began the Class 1A, District 5 tournament by defeating the Jefferson Somerset Tigers, 70-22, on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The first couple of minutes into the contest were close, then the Cowboys began hitting three-point shots to open a lead. The score was 16-7 at the end of the opening period. The Cowboys continued to open their lead with open look three-point shots and superior rebounding. By intermission, the Cowboys had built upon their lead and were up, 29-14. The second half saw the Cowboys continue to expand their lead. The third quarter ended with the Cowboys comfortably ahead with a 54-22 lead. The game ended with a 16-0 run by the Cowboys in the fourth quarter to end the game at 70-22.
Ken Hawkins led the Cowboys in scoring for the game with 21 points, including 18 from the three-point line. Tre Adams had 18 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots. Travis Jay had another double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Tre Adams shot 75 percent from the foul line during the district tournament
The Cowboys then faced the Trojans of Hamilton County in the district championship game on Friday, Feb. 16, in the MCHS gymnasium. The Trojans had punched their ticket to the championship match by defeating the Hornets of Lafayette High School in a close game on Tuesday, Feb. 13. From the opening tip-off, both teams knew they were in for a physical dog-fight. By the time the final buzzer had sounded, the Cowboys had won their second district championship in a row with a 69-57 final score.
The game started as a nip-and-tuck affair, with the Trojans briefly holding a one-point lead. The Cowboys were able to slowly build an 18-9 lead by the end of the first quarter. During the second quarter, the Cowboys were able to open a 15-point, 40-25 lead going into the intermission. The Cowboys continued to control the game during the third period, thanks to fine defensive play by Cowboy center Adams and rebounding by Jay. By the end of the third period, the Cowboys had a 55-39 advantage. The Trojans, who were not going to simply give up, began chipping away at the Cowboys' lead, but the home team was able to hold on to clinch another District Championship with a 69-57 final score.
Marvin Alexander (#12) goes up for a shot against the Tigers.
Jay was named the Player of the Game for the Cowboys, thanks to his 30 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Adams scored 20 points along with seven rebounds and seven blocked shots on defense.
Demarvion Brown, Christopher Simmons and Ken Hawkins also contributed to the Cowboys' scoring effort.
The Cowboys will now face the District 6 runner-up, Hilliard High School, in the Region Semi-final game on Thursday, Feb. 22. The game will take place in the MCHS gym. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.