MOREHEAD — Chris Thompson came to Kentucky last summer not knowing much about the state's passion for basketball.

He now understands a little better.



Lewis County's 6-foot-4 senior lit the fuse on another Blue Crew celebration on Saturday, drilling a 3-pointer from deep in the corner to lift the Lions to a 58-56 double-overtime victory over Fairview in the first game of the boys 16th Region Tournament at Ellis T. Johnson Arena.

Thompson, who moved to the Vanceburg area last summer, played the role of hero in his first appearance in the regional tournament.

"Bigger game, bigger hype," Thompson said. "I was wanting to get the win."

Trailing 56-55 after Fairview had gone ahead following a possession that included three putbacks, the Lions raced it up the floor and swung the ball around to Thompson, who was positioned behind the 3-point line in the deep corner. He never hesitated.

"I knew I was going to hit it when I let it go," Thompson said with a sheepish grin.

"We told him there's nothing like Kentucky basketball," said senior guard Terrence Smith.

Thompson's 3-pointer came with three seconds remaining and the Lions then had to sweat out a 35-footer from Caleb Collins that fell short.

"He put them into overtime on a shot very similar to that last year," said Lewis County coach Joe Hampton. "I've been around basketball enough to know those kind of shots go sometimes."

It was a game that Lewis County seemed to have in hand in regulation before turning it over on four consecutive possessions in the last 2:45 when Fairview went to a trapping defense. The Eagles trailed 42-34 but scored 10 consecutive to take a 44-42 lead.

"We did everything we could do to give it away,' Hampton said. "Despite ourselves we also did everything we could do to win the game."

The heroes were many for the Lions, including Jared Pruitt whose driving basket at the buzzer forced overtime.

"We try to teach no fear," Hampton said. "Jared Pruitt showed that on that drive at the end of regulation."

Koty Riley scored 16 and had two huge baskets in the second overtime and Smith, who was on crutches Friday and practiced once since winning the 63rd District title, did the majority of the ballhanding. He had 10 points and eight assists.

Thompson had 21 points and 14 rebounds. "There's not a lot that fazes him," Hampton said. "He doesn't get very nervous and he doesn't get intimidated."

Smith played every second despite the injury. "They thought I had a stress fracture in my left foot," he said. "I had to fight through it."

Smith was the target of Fairview's traps and committed some crucial turnovers. "I wasn't as quick on my feet," he said.

Lewis County started strong but faltered in the second quarter and trailed 22-18. The Lions looked inside more in the second half. "Coach stressed that at halftime," Smith said.

Collins scored all six of Fairview's points in the third quarter. He finished with 26 points while Jeff Evans collected 12 points and 10 rebounds. Brent Jackson, who was bothered by a foot injury, was held to 10 points and six rebounds.

"It came down to key stops at the end (of regulation) and overtime," said Fairview coach Rex Cooksey. "Credit to them. It was the kind of game I thought it was going to be."

Thompson left an impression on Cooksey.

"He can step outside or go inside," he said. "I saw him earlier and he's improved since then."