James Collier
The Ashland Beacon
BOYS 64th DISTRICT
ASHLAND 1-1
Ashland started its season on a positive note with a 67-37 win over Ironton St. Joe paced by 21 points from Zander Carter behind three triples. Ashland led wire to wire and touted a 34-20 lead at the half. Tristin Davis and Rheyce Deboard added 13 in the win.
Ashland fell to Great Crossing, 78-73 in the Jersey Mike’s Classic in Georgetown. Carter paced the Tomcats with 28 points. Tucker Conway tossed in 19 behind five 3s. Deboard added 11.
Ashland has its first 64th District tilt on Tuesday with a visit from Fairview followed by a matchup with the defending state champion, George Rogers Clark Saturday in the Boyd County Roundball Classic.
BOYD 2-0
Boyd County rolled off a pair of wins to open the season while lighting up the scoreboard in both affairs.
Boyd County defeated Rowan County, 81-53 in its season opener. Cole Hicks led the Lions with 21 points while tossing in five triples. Jacob Spurlock added 18 points and was 4 of 6 from downtown. Jason Ellis had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Boyd County shot 48.1% (13-27) from beyond the arc.
Spurlock’s 25 points led the Lions to a 93-55 win over East Ridge. The freshman was 8 of 8 inside the arc and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win. Hicks added 23 points in the win and Ellis turned in his second double-double in as many games with 12 and 12.
Boyd County opens 64th District play with a visit from Fairview on Thursday followed by visits from Lewis County and Pikeville on Friday and Saturday, respectively in the Boyd County Roundball Classic.
FAIRVIEW 2-1
Fairview collected a pair of wins to open the season before taking its first loss of the year at Fleming County.
Fairview outlasted Greenup County, 66-63 in the Eagles season opener. Tanner Johnson led the Eagles with 22 points. Tamel Smith netted 19 while going 4 for 8 from downtown and Mitchell Cox added 13. Steven Day scored six points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Day led the Eagles with 27 points in their 78-66 win over West Carter. Tanner Johnson added 24 points and was 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. Izaac Johnson dropped in 12 and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Fairview suffered its first setback of the season with an 84-59 loss at Fleming County. Tanner Johnson led the Eagles with 18 points. Izaac Johnson and Smith each added 11.
Fairview hits the road for three games this week with a pair of 64th District tilts at Ashland on Tuesday and Boyd County on Thursday before closing the week at Elliott County on Friday.
ROSE HILL 1-1
Rose Hill took a spilt in the Royals two games this week, falling to East Carter, 73-33 while defeating Robertson County.
Christian Blevins dropped in 16 in the loss to East Carter.
Rose Hill won 73-66 over Robertson County. Blevins led the Royals with 29 points and hit four trifectas. John Vanhoose kicked in 12.
Rose Hill visits Raceland Thursday and welcomes Russell on Friday.
BOYS 63rd DISTRICT
RUSSELL 1-1
After falling in the Devils season opener against Martin County at home, Russell bounced back with a win over Rowan County in the opening round of the EKC Tournament Saturday night.
Damon Charles dropped 23 points and 10 rebounds in the Devils 73-59 loss to Martin County. Gavin Carter kicked in 17. Tatum Fleming had 12.
Russell overcame a 22-9 first quarter deficit against Rowan County by holding the Vikings scoreless in the second stanza that led to a 51-47 win. Carson Blum led the Devils with 12 points. Charles had 10.
Russell moves into the semifinals of the EKC Tournament Tuesday night against host West Carter. Should the Devils win in that contest, they would play in the championship Thursday night at West Carter. Russell visits Rose Hill on Friday and plays Augusta in the Mike Murphy Classic at Mason County on Saturday.
RACELAND 1-0
Raceland started the season with a win at home, sort of.
The Rams had to open the season in its middle school due to the production of the Nutcracker Bash at the high school. Regardless of the venue, the Rams turned an 11-10 lead after one into a 68-53 win over Pendleton County.
Christian Large led the Rams with 21 points. Holden Topping added 13 and Jacob Gauze had 12.
Raceland visits Lawrence County Monday, Spring Valley on Wednesday, welcomes Rose Hill on Thursday and plays Johnson Central Saturday in the Boyd County Roundball Classic.
GREENUP COUNTY 0-2
Greenup County fell in both contests this week, losing 66-63 against Fairview and 55-42 to Rock Hill.
Cohen Underwood paced the Musketeers with 26 points in the loss to Fairview. Underwood was a perfect 11 of 11 from the field hitting nine shots inside the arc and draining a pair of triples.
Greenup County welcomes Fleming County on Monday, Elliott County on Thursday and Minford on Saturday.