Giltner’s late heroics carries Tigers past Colonels

Two weeks ago Hopkinsville’s Layton Giltner left Lyle Dunbar Gym on crutches after spraining his ankle against Christian County.

On Friday night, Giltner left Tiger Gym walking on air.

The junior returned to the floor and scored the final eight points of the game, including two crucial free throws, and send the Tigers to a 62-58 win over Christian County in a boys’ high school basketball game.

Giltner wasn’t sure he could play on Thursday, but entered the game early in the first half. He had only one basket in the first half as Hoptown (14-9) built a 36-27 halftime advantage.

Christian County came out of halftime determined not to allow the Tigers to pull off the season sweep. Led by the play of Rahsean Stevenson and Jay Henderson, the Colonels began chipping away and drew within 44-43 at the end of the third quarter.

The Colonels (7-10) took a brief 49-48 lead in the final period, but Hoptown regained the lead on its next possession.

As the tension built, the teams were tied at 56-56 and again at 58-58 with 1:01 to play.

Giltner hit a follow-up shot with 41 seconds to go to give Hoptown at 60-58 lead. Christian County had a possession in an attempt to tie, but the Colonels missed a shot and Giltner rebounded the miss with 11 seconds to go.

The Colonels had to foul three times to send the Tigers to the line and they picked Giltner.

The junior calmly sank both free throws and sent the Tigers to the victory.

Jayven Battle led Hoptown with 15 points. James Bradley Jr. added 13. Giltner had 11 and Jonovan Leavell added 10.

Stevenson led Christian County with 25 points. Henderson chipped in 13.

Weather permitting, Christian County is scheduled to play host to Fort Campbell in a girls’/boys’ doubleheader on Monday night. The boys’ game will tip off around 7:30 p.m. with airtime at 7:15 p.m. on 95.3 The Farm and 953thefarm.com.

Hopkinsville is scheduled to play Tuesday night at Union County, weather permitting. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with airtime set for 7:15 p.m. on 99.3 FM and 1230 AM WHOP.

Score by Quarters:

Christian County 14 13 16 15 – 58

Hopkinsville 17 19 8 18 – 62

Individual Scoring:

CCHS (7-10) – Wharton 2, Johnson 3, Bigbee 4, Henderson 13, Bridges 3, Farley 6, Stevenson 25, Winston 2.

HHS (14-9) – Battle 15, Bradley Jr. 13, Dillard 2, Bass 9, Leavell 10, Giltner 11.

3-Point Goals: CCHS – Johnson, Bigbee, Henderson 2; HHS – Battle 3, Bradley Jr.

Photos by Peyton Biaquis