By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
The Elliott County Lions have dominated the 16th Region for the last four years. East Carter brought that reign to an end Friday night with a 56-44 Victory over the Lions.
Friday's match up started like every other game the two teams have played in the last few years. Elliott grabbed an early two-point lead in the first quarter and East cut the lead to one at the half. The Raiders hit their stride with a 9-0 run in the first two minutes of the third. East broke out to an eight-point lead and put the nail in the Lions' coffin with 16 points in the final quarter for the win.
Kyle Bair led the Raiders in scoring with 19 points and Colt Barnhill put up 13. Caleb Adams had 11 while Tyler Clay and Koty Buck out up five each. Conner Robinson nailed one from outside the perimeter.
Overall, East hit 39-percent from the field and went 14-for-21 at the charity stripe.
The Raiders' defense made all the difference in the game. Elliott's Timmy Knipp put up 45 points for the Lions in Tuesday's match up with West Carter. East was able to hold him to 25 in Friday's championship game.
“As good as Timmy Knipp is, you know it's going to take a team effort,” East Coach Brandon Baker told the Ashland Independent after the game. “I thought we did a good job of making him work to get a shot off.”
The Raiders will face Lewis County in the first round of the Regional Tournament Friday night at Morehead State University's Johnson Arena. The two teams met twice during the regular season and East came out with the win during the EKC tournament (52-40) and at home (54-39).
Lewis County is 11-18 on the season, coming of a 63rd District Championship loss to Greenup, 45-44.
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