By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
Monday night’s 16th Regional Championship game was a special one for the Raiders of East Carter. With the 48-38 win over Fairview, East celebrated the second Regional title in school history.
Coach Brandon Baker, who was celebrating his 40th birthday, also participated in the first Regional win as a sophomore back in 1986. At that time, Baker played for his father, Coach Charles Baker.
“It is tough to find the words to explain how much this means to Dad and me,” Baker said after Monday’s win. “At this point in the season, it’s all about these kids. We (the coaching staff) are just along for the ride.”
And what a ride it was! East opened the first quarter with an 8-0 run, holding the Eagles through three scoreless and agonizing minutes. The Raiders were up 12-6 at the end of the first but Fairview wormed their way back into the game, whittling East’s lead to just two points at the half.
Fairview had an obvious game plan coming into the title round; keep the ball out of Colt Barnhill’s very capable hands. The 6-foot-7 senior has dominated play for the Raiders all season, but the Eagles limited him to two points in the first half, and just 11 for the game.
“Some people really stepped up and made my job easier tonight,” Barnhill said as he celebrated after the game. “We all worked together, especially on the defensive end. That made this win a lot easier.”
The Raiders battled through the third quarter to lead by three and exploded in the fourth with 17 points to Fairview’s 10.
The Eagles finally hung up their hats in the last 15 seconds of the game. Senior Caleb Adams, who led the Raiders in scoring with 13 points, dribbled the ball next to his bench with a huge smile and a fist pump.
“We came into this game knowing they were going to collapse on Colt,” Adams said. “We knew we needed guys to step up and Kyle Bair, Koty Buck, Tyler Clay, Landon (McDavid) and Dylan (Genung) all played extremely well. We all had to step it up tonight.”
Barnhill put up 11 points for the Raiders and Bair had eight. Clay and Buck sank six each while Genung and McDavid each hit one from the field.
East heads to the PNC/KHSAA Boys Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena next Wednesday, March 17. The Raiders will face the winner of the Region 4 Championship game between Warren Central and Bowling Green.
“We want to go to Lexington and represent the 16th Region with respect,” Baker said. “We just have to balance the excitement of this win and the preparation to get ready for the Sweet 16.”
