Determined Raiders outlast Southwestern in overtime

By Steve LeMaster
stevelemastersports@yahoo.com

STEARNS – The McCreary Central Raiders returned to the win column on Monday night, outlasting the visiting Southwestern Warriors 55-54 in overtime.
McCreary Central, under the direction of head coach Jimmy Voight, notched its first 48th District win in the 2017-18 season.
With the win, McCreary Central improved to 7-12 overall and 1-2 in the 48th District.
Southwestern slipped to 9-7 overall and 2-1 in the district with the loss.
McCreary Central shot 55.6 percent (20-of-36) from the field. The Raiders were 2-of-10 from 3-point range.
McCreary Central shot 72.2 percent (13-of-18) from the free throw line.
Derrick Paige scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead McCreary Central to the district win. Paige knocked down nine field goals in the Raiders’ district victory.
Hunter Jones was the only other McCreary Central player to reach double figures in the scoring column, posting 13 points.
Jones was 9-of-10 from the free throw line as the Raiders prevailed.
Ryan Jones tossed in seven points while Josh Cash and Devin Strunk netted five points apiece for the Raiders.
Caleb Cox (two points), Nick Longmire (two points) and Brandon Troxell also provided scoring for McCreary Central in the emotional win over 48th District rival Southwestern.
McCreary Central was able to avenge a district loss it suffered to Southwestern three days earlier.
The Raiders won for the first time since defeating Middlesboro 74-43 at Leslie County High School in a holiday tournament on Saturday, Dec. 30.
McCreary Central entered the week with additional regular-season games remaining versus Lincoln County, Bell County, Wayne County, Clinton County, Williamsburg, Barbourville, East Jessamine and Lynn Camp.
Both McCreary Central and Southwestern will compete in the 48th District Boys’ Basketball Tournament in February.