By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
The Raiders clinched a seat in the Regional Tournament Monday night with a first-round District win over Morgan County, 66-44.
The Cougars jumped out to a 7-6 lead in the first quarter, but East found their footing to shut out Morgan in the second to lead 29-7 at the half.
“We had a little bit of anxiety for the post season when we started the game,” Coach Brandon Baker said. “You’ve got to win to advance and that was in our minds to start. In the last three quarters we did a lot and I thought we played really well.”
East outscored Morgan 20-16 in the third to lead by 49-23. The Cougars put up 21 points to East’s 17 in the final quarter, but were unable to catch the Raiders for the win.
“I thought Kyle Bair and Colt Barnhill got us going in the second quarter,” Baker said. “Koty Buck and Connor Robinson gave us a big spark off the bench and got us going. Dylan Genung hit a couple threes in the second that were really big for us, too.”
Bair led the Raiders in scoring with 16 points and Barnhill put up 11. Genung and Robinson had 10 each. Tanner Ashworth, Alex Johnson, and Dylan McDavid had four each while Quinn Huddle had three. Jordan Burchett and Tyler Clay each put up two.
Overall the Raiders went 12-for-24 at the charity stripe.
East will face off with the winner of Tuesday night’s match up between West Carter and Elliott County on Thursday for the District Championship. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
“The pressure is off,” Baker said. “You have to get to Morehead to have a chance at the Region. We want to go as a winner, but there isn’t as much pressure and anxiety now that we know we are going for sure.”
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