Tigers fall to Cowboys

Rick Patrick
ECB Publishing, Inc.

On Saturday, Jan. 4, the Jefferson Somerset Tigers made the short trip east to Madison County for three basketball contests against the athletes of Madison County High School. The Lady Tigers fell to the Cowgirls with a 61-7 final score. The junior varsity Tigers were defeated by the junior varsity Cowboys, 70-32. The varsity Tigers' hopes of a regular season sweep of the Cowboys were also dashed, as the varsity Cowboys defeated the Tigers, 73-52.
In the first contest of the evening, the Lady Tigers managed to keep the score close during the first period, but still trailed 7-2 as the opening quarter came to a close. The Cowgirls opened a commanding lead during the second period and held a 24-4 lead at halftime. The Lady Tigers were held scoreless during the third period while the Cowgirls increased their lead to 48-4 at the end of three quarters. With a running clock, the Cowgirls managed to finish the contest with a 61-7 lead.
The boys’ junior varsity took the court next. The Cowboys held an early lead, outscoring the Tigers by seven points in the opening period to hold a 16-9 edge at the end of the first quarter. The Cowboys opened a larger lead during the second period and the score was 31-22 going into halftime. The Cowboys continued to hold their advantage during the third quarter and the score was 50-31 as the final period began. The Tigers only scored one point during the final quarter of play as the Cowboys added to their lead to a 70-32 final score.
In the final game of the evening, the Tigers were hoping to hold the top spot in the Class 1A, District Five standings. The contest went back and forth in the opening moments, but the Cowboys managed to open a 17-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Cowboys opened their lead further during the second quarter and the score was 43-23 at halftime. The Tigers were able to slow the Cowboy onslaught somewhat during the third quarter, but the Cowboys still finished the quarter with a 59-33 lead. The Tigers cut into the Cowboys' lead in the final period, but in the end, it was the Cowboys who would win the contest, 73-52.
The Tigers will return home for a contest with the Bulldogs of Taylor County High School on Saturday, Jan. 11. The junior varsity game is set to tip-off at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 7:30 p.m.