After four straight runner-up finishes in the seventh- and eighth-grade county tournament, the James A. Cawood Trojans broke through for a championship Monday with a 53-32 win over Evarts at Harlan County High School to complete a 17-0 mark this season against county competition.
“Over the last four years, we’ve compiled a county record of 60-8; that’s a pretty great accomplishment for the current players and those I’ve had the privilege of coaching in recent years. We came out tonight with great intensity from the tip, and we executed the game plan from start to finish,” JACES coach Ryan Clem said. “I told my bunch that we had to be the aggressor, and even at halftime with a 13-point lead, we had to finish the job. Our boys came out in the second half and continued to hustle on every play. Their grit and toughness were on display until the final buzzer. We’ve been knocking at the door over the last four years, and it feels great to finally get the job done and bring the title back home to JACES.”
Taylor Daniels scored 16 points and Brantley Burkhart added 13 to lead the Trojans.
“This year’s team is special. We’ve had our fair share of ups and downs throughout the season, but we’ve persevered and fought each practice and game to improve,” Clem said. “Our goal each week was to continue to show up for each other and focus on team mentality. This group has been fantastic to work with. Each one understood their roles and committed to that mentality to make our team better. I thank the Lord that He has given me the opportunity to coach this group and those in the past. At the end of the day it’s bigger than just basketball, it gives me a platform to help shape these boys into Godly young men. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.”
Clem said the Trojans’ success was a group effort.
“I’m surrounded by an excellent coaching staff, and my assistants make my job a lot easier. I definitely couldn’t have got this done without their commitment and dedication,” he said. “I also want to thank Mr. (John) Carter, our school principal, for always supporting us with our athletic programs.”
Aiden Napier scored 13 points and Caysen Farley added 11 to lead Evarts.
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Wallins edged Green Hills 42-37 in the third-place game as Leland Cope and Sam Carmical each scored 13 to lead the Devils.
Pheonix Morgan paced the Falcons with12 points.
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James A. Cawood (53) — Taylor Daniels 18, Adrian Fields 8, Tucker Daniels 4, Brantley Burkhart 16, Logan Mills 5, Evan Daniels 2.
Evarts (32) — Caysen Farley 11, Jesse Pendergrass 3, Aiden Napier 13, Rayce Bryant 2, Carson Clark, 1, Raylan Washington 2.
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Wallins (42) — Leland Cope 16, Sam Carmical 16, Brayden Gabbard 3, Ryder Ecker 7.
Green Hills (37) — Billy Harrison 9, Arthur Harrison 6, Kaiden Turner 2, Pheonix Morgan 12, Brayson Saylor 8.