ORLANDO — Whitley County saw a late lead slip away on Monday, falling 64–60 to Musselman, W.Va., in KSA Holiday Classic play. The loss dropped the Colonels to 1–1 in the classic and 9–3 overall.
“Proud of our kids effort,” Whitley County coach Eric Swords said. “We lead for most of the game in a back and forth game against a top ranked team from West Virginia. Just had a bad three minute stretch in the fourth that cost us. This game will help us get better. We will battle another top team from Pennsylvania tomorrow to wrap this up.”
The Colonels trailed 14–10 at the end of the first quarter despite three points apiece from Levi Jackson and Garrett Sharp. Whitley County responded in the second quarter, battling back to take a 22–20 lead into halftime as Tootie Mahan scored five points in the period and Jackson added three.
Whitley County continued to push in the third quarter, extending its advantage to 45–42 entering the fourth. Henry Bowling knocked down a three-pointer and scored seven points in the quarter, while Jackson added seven more and Riley Fuson chipped in six.
Despite an eight-point effort from Mahan and five more from Fuson in the fourth quarter, Musselman rallied late to pull out the win.
Mahan led Whitley County with 15 points, while Fuson, Jackson, and Bowling each finished with 13 points. Sharp added six points in the loss.
