In the first Leitchfield Deposit Bank Holiday Classic we were able to win 3 games in a row to become the tournament champs.
In the first game of the tournament we played Barren Co. and won 74-46. We got off to a great start and was able to keep it going throughout the game. We had one of our more productive offensive games by shooting 57% for the game and 40% from the 3 point line. We made 20-27 free throws for 74% as well. We only committed 8 turnovers for the game and out rebounded Barren Co. 27-22. Barren County shot 37% for the game and hit 17-24 from the line for 71%. Barren Co. committed 18 turnovers.
We had a very balanced night offensively, led by Bennett Skaggs' 19. Travis Johnston and Lance Buckler chipped in with 12 a piece while Tyler Saltsman and Hunter Gary contributed 9 a piece. Lance Buckler also led us with 8 rebounds. Bennett Skaggs was chosen National Guard Player of the Game.
In the semi-final game we play an undefeated Carlisle Co. team. We had a terrific first half against Carlisle Co. and led 36-25 at the half. We also jumped on Carlisle in the 3rd quarter to extend the lead to 51-33 going into the last quarter.
We shot 22-55 from the field for 40% and 15-22 from the line for 68%. Carlisle shot 17-39 for 44% but struggled from the free throw line by going 5-18 for 28%. We out rebounded Carlisle Co. 35-20 including a 15-3 advantage on the offensive class.
Lance Buckler led us with 17 points and 7 rebounds and was chosen Player of the Game by the National Guard. Travis Johnston pitched in with 11 points and 6 assists while Wes Smith had 9 points and 7 rebounds as well. We got another good night from Hunter Gary off the bench with 9 points and Bennett Skaggs had a good all around game by getting 4 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists while holding Carlisle's leading scorer to 12 points.
In the championship game we played Apollo. It was a very intense and close game but we were fortunate to come out on top 54-49. As always Apollo is one of the best teams in the 3rd region but we played one of our best defensive games in getting the victory. We shot 18-40 for 45% from the field including 5-12 from 3 point line for 42%. We struggled from the free throw line in this game by hitting only 13-21 for 62%. Apollo shot 18-42 for 43% but were just 2-13 from behind the arc for 15%. They also connected on 11-15 from the line. Apollo had 28 rebounds to our 27 but we had 9 offensive boards to their 7. Apollo committed 12 turnovers to our 10.
For the game, Tyler Saltsman was chosen National Guard player of the game by scoring 5 points and pulling down 9 rebounds. Tyler also held Taylor Ewing of Apollo to 3 points. Wes Smith led us with 12 points and Travis Johnston had 11 with Lance Buckler getting 10 points off the bench. Aaron Deviney played a good game with 8 points and 5 rebounds.
Hunter Gary only scored 4 points but had perhaps the 2 biggest points of the night by making 2 free throws to help hold off Apollo's rally.
We would like to thank everyone who helped make this happen. Leitchfield Deposit Bank was our primary sponsor and without them the event would not have taken place. Our parents were responsible for doing most of the work and we would like to thank them as well.
