South Oldham edges Collins in Eighth Region semis

NEW CASTLE, Ky. – Jo Griffin scored 16 points and Trent Bouvet added 15 to help push South Oldham past Collins 74-70 in a boys Eighth Region semifinal Monday at Henry County.

The win puts the Dragons (27-5) in Tuesday’s regional final, also at Henry County, where they will face Anderson County.

In what seemed at times like a three-point shooting contest, the Dragons kept the pesky Titans away thanks to their ability to penetrate. The teams combined for 24 baskets from beyond the arc, and South Oldham’s last one, a corner shot by Isaac Fields, gave the Dragons a 69-62 lead with 1:13 left.

But Collins coach Chris Gaither pointed to the Dragons’ 15 runners and layups that were the biggest blows, ending the Titans hopes for a Sweet 16 repeat.

“We wanted to stop their drives,” Gaither said. “They got the dribble penetration they wanted. That was the key. The threes will break your back when they’re able to score in the paint.”

Collins used a 12-0 run in the first quarter to jump out to a 14-6 lead, but the Dragons were able to counter with an 8-0 run to tie it on a Dyllon Hoover layup with 7:35 left in the half. That would become a theme for the game. As one team jumped ahead, the other quickly countered.

For example, after Fields hit a 3-pointer to make it 49-41 with 2:56 left in the third quarter, Collins got a pair of them by sophomore Jacob Feltner 23 seconds apart. That included converting a four-point play as well to cut the Dragons’ edge to a point. After a Bouvet layup, Jakson Test drained another 3-pointer to tie the game with 10 seconds left in the third.

But Dylan Snook hit a three-point basket at the end of the quarter to give the Dragons back the lead. Test, who finished with 22 points and six of Collins’ 14 makes from distance, tied it again 20 seconds into the fourth, but that was a close as the Titans would get the rest of the way.

South Oldham coach Steven Simpson said he knew the Titans would put up a fight and that their 15-18 final record was more indicative of their tough schedule than their talent.

“We know from the two years that we’ve won (the region), you just don’t want to give that thing up easy,” Simpson said. “They fought. We knew they would fight. They are a very fundamental basketball team.”

After upsetting Owen County in the first round last week, Simpson had his assistants pull film on both possible final opponents to get his team ready for what he expects to be a physical contest. After the game, Simpson pulled some of his kids aside before they went into the locker room. He told them to get a shower and then go home while the coaches continued scouting.

“Coach just said we’re going to use (playing in the earlier semifinal) to our advantage and get home early, get more rest,” said Griffin. “These two teams, whoever wins, we know each team’s good. So, we’ll just come ready to play.”