ONEIDA — 51st District rivals Barbourville and Pineville met in the opening round of the 13th Region Class A Tournament, and it was the Tigers who controlled the game from start to finish in a 55-41 victory.
Barbourville set the tone early with hard-nosed, gritty defense, holding Pineville to just four points in the opening quarter. The Tigers showed their ability to adjust and change defensive schemes throughout the game and carried a 10-4 lead after the first period.
The Tigers continued to dictate the pace in the second quarter, whether pushing the tempo in transition or slowing things down in the half court. Freshman Carter Deaton knocked down two of his four three-pointers in the quarter as Barbourville built a 25-15 halftime advantage.
Barbourville kept its foot on the gas in the third quarter, shutting down any potential Pineville run before it could gain momentum. The Tigers went 5-of-? from the free-throw line in the period, showing they could score at every spot on the floor and extending their control of the game.
Chris Taylor’s squad carried that same discipline into the fourth quarter, as the Tigers’ defense continued to frustrate Pineville’s offense. Barbourville sealed the win at the free-throw line, finishing 11-of-17 for the game, including 3-of-4 in the final quarter.
Freshman Carter Deaton led the Tigers with 18 points. Chase Wilder added 13, and Trace Wood finished with 10 as Barbourville advanced with a 55-41 win.
