By BRANDON ROSEN — For The Independent
RUSSELL — Russell jumped out to an early lead and was able to withstand a furious fourth-quarter comeback by Lewis County for a 55-45 win Wednesday night at Marvin Meredith Gymnasium.
Playing its second game in as many nights, Russell showed no signs of fatigue early in the game as the Red Devils raced out to a 10-0 lead while forcing nine Lewis County turnovers in the first quarter.
The Red Devils lead by as many as 13 points in the first half on its way to a 31-21 halftime lead. Russell Coach Merle Kidwell said it was the hardest his team has played since December.
“To jump on them early gave us a little bit of a cushion, and all of the credit goes to the kids,” Kidwell said. “They came out and played hard, got some deflections and some steals, and I really thought that set the tone for the game.”
Leading the way in the first half for the Red Devils was freshmen point guard Kyle Skaggs. Skaggs scored 11 of his game high 18 points in the first half.
“Jumping out to the big lead was really important for us tonight,” Skaggs said. “Lately we’ve been having problems holding leads, and tonight we were able to get the big lead and then hold on late in the game.
“I think fatigue set in a little bit, but because we play so many guys we are able to keep guys fresh and keep up the same energy level throughout the whole game.”
Russell would need all of its energy in the second half, too, as Lewis County turned to its pressure defense to spark a comeback. The Lions opened the fourth quarter with a 12-2 run to pull within five, and held Russell scoreless for nearly five minutes in the fourth.
But Russell’s four underclassmen starters took control of the game, scoring the Red Devils’ final 10 points to preserve the lead and the win. Russell finished with four players in double figures: Skaggs’ 18, sophomore Justin Davidson had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and junior Grant McKenzie and freshmen Austin Hunt each finished with 10 points.
“We knew Lewis County could do some damage in the half-court game and we saw it tonight in the fourth quarter,” Kidwell said. “I was proud of our kids. And especially after starting the fourth quarter so poorly, I thought they stepped up, made some big baskets and hit their free throws down the stretch.
“I’m really pleased with how well Justin (Davidson) played tonight. We need somebody down in the paint for when we play teams with good big men like Koty Riley. Justin battled in there all night and was diving on the floor and that’s contagious. Our kids played really hard tonight and we had to because if you don’t play that way against Lewis County you aren’t going to win.”
Lewis County was lead by senior Blake Kilgore and junior Riley, who finished with 15 and 13 points.
“It feels good to get this win and improve to 4-0 in the district,” Skaggs said. “But we’ve got another big game on Friday that we need to prepare for and come out ready to play.”
Lewis County (7-12) will travel to Morgan County on Friday. Russell (8-11) finishes off its three-game week by traveling to rival Greenup County in a battle of two of the top teams in the 63rd district.
