MOREHEAD — No drama for Elliott County.
The two-time defending 16th Region champion Lions easily handled Russell, 88-61, in Saturday's opening round at Morehead State University's Ellis T. Johnson Arena.
Ashland will try to derail the Lions in the semifinals at 8:15 p.m. Monday. The Tomcats needed an overtime to eliminate Rowan County, 73-65.
You can't tell Elliott County coach Rick Mays' emotions by his facial expressions. Turns out he saw lots of room to improve.
"I thought we was a little stale," Mays said. "You've got to give (Russell) a lot of credit. They shot the ball every time we made a mistake."
One thing was different: someone other than seniors Ethan and Evan Faulkner and Jonathan Ferguson led the team in scoring. Senior Chris Knipp was the leading scorer with 25 points.
"This is a first right here for me," said Knipp, who also had four assists and seven steals. "They were leaving me wide open all night. I just got hot and I was feeling it. I just kept on shooting it."
Ferguson was not far behind Knipp on the scoreboard with 24 points. He also had five rebounds, an assist and four steals.
"We played all right," Ferguson said. "We picked it up a little bit and got a lead and just maintained it the whole game."
The Faulkners contributed in other ways. Ethan grabbed 11 rebounds to go with his eight assists, six points and four steals, while Evan had eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Defensively, Elliott County forced 21 turnovers while surrendering only nine.
Though Elliott County was the heavy favorite, Russell (5-24) apparently didn't know it. After a little more than three minutes, the Red Devils held a 10-9 lead thanks to eighth-grader Kyle Skaggs' 3-pointer and junior Tanner Alexander's field goal.
"I think I should've called timeout and took a picture of the scoreboard," said Russell coach Merle Kidwell. "Our kids weren't intimidated. We had played them once before, but they're a great basketball team."
The Lions (28-2) put down the threat with a 13-2 run over the next three minutes. Chris Knipp led the outburst with a pair of 3-pointers and eight points altogether.
Russell didn't collapse. Alexander's four points pulled the Red Devils to within 31-20 a little more than two minutes into the second quarter.
From there, all Elliott County. The Lions outscored Russell, 24-9, the rest of the half and led 73-44 after three quarters.
Alexander led the Red Devils with 12 points.
Monday's obvious task for Elliott County appears to be containing Ashland senior Ryan Bonner and sophomore Chris Johnson. In beating Rowan County, Bonner scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Johnson added 18 points.
"They shoot the ball well," Mays said of the Tomcats. "They're a good young team, too. Bonner's a big strong kid. We've got to take care of all of them."
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
John Flavell
Discussion
Knipp leads Lions' romp
- Local Sports
-
-
Kittens rock Russell, 9-4
Monday's temperature at Rowan County High School was 92-degrees hot and the ground was dry.
-
16th Region Baseball: Lions take big gulp
Most would say if a team scores in only one inning, then it will probably end up on the loser’s side of the scoreboard.
-
16th Region baseball: Hunter zeroes in
For much of Sam Hunter’s stellar career, he was the unquestioned ace of the Ashland pitching staff.
-
THE WEEKLY CYCLE: Who’s heading west and who’s heading home?
A different 16th Region school’s bus has merged onto I-64 en route to Lexington the past three baseball seasons.
-
ALL-AREA BASEBALL: Toss-up, Turnaround
As he trailed behind their tracks in preparation for the photo shoot, Lewis County’s baseball coach declared, “Man, I’d like to coach this team.”
-
16th Region baseball draw: Wide Open Stance
The consensus with the coaches at the 16th Region baseball tournament draw is that the field is wide open.
-
16th Region softball draw: All maroon at high noon
The 16th Region softball tournament will open up with a bang on Monday.
-
Different Meade, same title
Make it three in a row for the Meade brothers of Ashland.
-
Escape artists
Russell’s latest district softball championship may be remembered as the Great Escape.
-
Region, softball tournament draws Friday
The 16th Region baseball and softball tournament pairings will be drawn on Friday morning at 9 at Rowan County Senior High School.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Kittens rock Russell, 9-4
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
