WILLIAMSBURG — South Laurel put together a strong fourth-quarter surge to rally past Whitley County 58–54 on Friday, improving the Cardinals to 1-1 in 50th District play and 9–8 overall. Whitley County slipped to 1–1 in district action and 13–5 on the season.
The Cardinals had to overcome a double-digit deficit, but never backed down and found their rhythm when it mattered most.
Whitley County led 12–11 after the first quarter, but South Laurel edged ahead 22–21 at halftime.
The Colonels regained control in the third quarter, building a 38–32 advantage entering the final period.
South Laurel flipped the script in the fourth quarter behind a big performance from Garrison Brown, who scored 10 points in the period.
Brown knocked down two 3-pointers and converted all four of his free throw attempts as the Cardinals closed strong. Kaden Taylor added six points in the quarter while Brayden Cassidy and Brendan Murphy each scored four points apiece and Blayne Baker chipped in two points.
Brown finished with a team-high 19 points, hitting five three-pointers in the win. Taylor added 14 points, and Cassidy finished with 10.
Whitley County was led by Tootie Mahan with 20 points while Henry Bowling added 13. Levi Jackson and Garrett Sharp chipped in nine points apiece.
South Laurel coach Jeff Davis said the win was an important one for his team’s confidence.
“This is a game we needed for our confidence and it took a team effort,” he said. “Guys didn’t give up and kept battling and grinding. We had some guys step up and make some plays. We just have to keep getting better each day. Really proud of our guys.”
