Hornets preparing for district tournament

By T. Wampler, JPI Sports

 

The Metcalfe County High School boys’ basketball program enters its 9th year under the direction of Coach Brandon Brockman. Last season, the Hornets finished with an overall record of 11 – 19.

This season, the Hornets are 9-10, over halfway through the regular season schedule. The Hornets started out the season with 6 straight losses, but MCHS played tough against some top-notch basketball teams. They lost to Allen County-Scottsville by 4 points and Bethlehem by 2 points. MCHS got on the winning track with an 84-82 win over Green County and then reeled off 3 straight wins over winter break before falling to Clinton County in a 16th District game.

Coach Brockman always has his team primed and pumped for the 4th Region All “A” Classic. MCHS defeated Foundation Christian Academy 68-55 and Cumberland County 55-47 in the 4th Region All “A” Classic before running back into Clinton County.

The Bulldogs beat the Hornets 53-40 to take the 4th Region All “A” Classic and earn a trip to the state tournament. Hudson Fields and Maddux Garrett each led MCHS with 10 points, the only 2 players to reach double figures. Cruz Tucker chipped in 7 points and led the team in rebounds with 8 boards.

This season, the Hornets suffered a tough loss in their first game in Metcalfe Mania. Bethlehem defeated MCHS 51-49. Kruz Tucker led the team with 15 points. Maddux Garrett had 14 points. Hudson Field chipped in 9 points and led the team with 9 rebounds.

The Hornets gave their home crowd some extra excitement when they defeated the Green County Dragons in overtime, 84-82, in their second game in Metcalfe Mania. Maddux Garrett had the hot hand, dropping 29 points and finding success in all phases of the Hornets’ offense. Garrett made 8 of 12 on his 2-point basket attempts, 2 of 4 on shots beyond the arc, and 7 of 8 shots at the charity stripe. Hudson Field had 21 points. Kruz Tucker added 17 points and pulled down 9 rebounds. Braden Page chipped in 8 points and Jackson Devore added 6 points.

In two other games before the cutoff date for this midseason review, Metcalfe County defeated Warren East 65-56. Hudson Fields led MCHS with 23 points and pulled down 13 rebounds for a double-double. Braden Page had 12 points and 7 boards. Cruz Tucker added 10 points. Cade Huffman chipped in 8 points. Two players, Jackson Devore and Braeden Dial, each had 6 points.

MCHS defeated the Bluegrass Blazers 69-60. Hudson Fields led the Hornets with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Kruz Tucker had 19 points and Cade Huffman added 10 points. Braeden Dial chipped in 8 points.

The Hornets are led this season by 4 seniors: Jackson Devore, Hudson Fields, Maddux Garrett, and Kruz Tucker. Fields has been a force on the boards for the Hornets and is giving Coach Brockman points in the paint to go with his effort on defense to be a disruptor. Tucker continues to have one of the best shots in the 4th Region and can hurt any team that does not respect his outside prowess. Maddux Garrett can score and score with authority when he is not distributing the basketball. Jackson Devore is playing valuable minutes for Coach Brockman and, like his fellow senior guards, has a good outside shot.

Coach Brockman has used the first half of the season to adjust to the players and the changes he had to work with after the start of the season. Players have had to step into new roles, and that has led to a time of adjustment by the team and the coaching staff.

Brockman is going 7 to 8 players deep on average per game, and he will have his team ready come time for the district tournament. The Hornets can never be overlooked, no matter what their record is at the end of the regular season.

The Hornets always work hard and give their best effort for Coach Brockman and his staff. They have proven it time and time again in his 9 years leading the MCHS basketball program. They will be ready come tournament time.