Graphic courtesy of @DJP_ConvoCenter (DJPConvocationCenter)
Honaker 69, Wise Central 64
The boys basketball tournament is known as the Powell Valley National Bank Holiday Classic, but you could refer to today’s championship contest as the Russell County Rumble.
Keyton Keene had 29 points on Friday night as Honaker earned a 69-64 overtime victory over the Wise County Central Warriors in the semifinals at the David J. Prior Convocation Center on the campus of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
The Tigers (4-2) play Russell County rival Lebanon today at 7:30 p.m. with the title on the line. Lebanon outlasted Union for an OT win in the other semifinal.
Honaker led by 14 points late in the first half, but Central (3-6) charged back to force the extra session. The Tigers outscored Central 11-6 in OT.
Keene also collected eight rebounds, two steals and one assist.
“He was really special tonight,” said Honaker coach Waylon Hart. “He is playing at a very high level. Not only his scoring, but rebounding and defense as well. Probably the biggest play of the game was a pass he made to Aidan Lowe for a lay-up in overtime.”
Was it Keene’s best performance of the season?
“I’m not sure, but it was definitely one of the top few,” Keene said. “I just tried to take the best shot possible and run what was open. We all care about each other and just care about the final win.”
Lowe finished with 16 points, while Peyton Musick (12 points, seven rebounds, two assists) and Sean Gill (six assists) also keyed the win.
Ethan Collins was the leader for Wise Central as he went for 33 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block before eventually fouling out. Londen Horne added 16 points.
Honaker already has one win over Lebanon this season. Keene transferred to Honaker from Lebanon.
“Yeah, the game between us and them will always be a high-energy game, but that adds to the fun and with it being the tournament championship I’d think it’d add even more energy,” Keene said.
The schedule today for the event: J.I. Burton vs. Rye Cove (11 a.m.), Ridgeview vs. Eastside (12:30 p.m.), Shelby Valley, Kentucky, vs. Virginia High (2 p.m.), Chilhowie vs. Lee High (3:30 p.m.), Union vs. Wise County Central (6 p.m.) and Honaker vs. Lebanon in the nightcap.
WISE COUNTY CENTRAL (64) – P. Collins 2, Boggs 8, E. Collins 33, Horne 16, Gillenwater 0, Collie 1, Tompkins 2, Collier 0, Teasley 2.
HONAKER (69) – Musick 12, Gill 2, Keene 29, A. Lowe 16, Hart 2, Bandy 6, M. Lowe 2, A. Musick 0, Dye 0.
Wise Central 9 12 23 14 6—64
Honaker 17 16 12 13 11—69
3-point goals – Central 4 (Horne 2, Boggs, E. Collins), Honaker 1 (Keene).