Bryan Station Uncorks Blowout on Previously Undefeated Henry Clay in Top 25 Showdown
Friday night did not seem like a typical high school basketball game. Granted, two of KSR’s top-25 teams met in Lexington — home grounds for both. But as over 2,000 people flooded into Bryan Station’s basketball gym, one thing became clear:
Bryan Station is back.
Over the years, Jack “Goose” Givens, Shelvin Mack, and Mel Turpin all donned the green and yellow, and all committed to the Defenders moniker that Bryan Station holds so true. On Friday night, Coach Champ Ligon brought out the spirit of Bryan Station basketball with the No. 22 Defenders taking down the previously undefeated No. 14 Henry Clay Blue Devils 77-51.
Big crowd for a big win
The main story of the night was the electric crowd that took over Bryan Station. Fans draped in green and yellow made the gym floor shake, and the student section would make even an NBA player scared of playing the Station.
Coach Ligon talked about the atmosphere after the game, “I think the crowd definitely made a big difference. I was a little worried coming off the big win Tuesday that we might have a letdown, but with the crowd that showed up, we weren’t going to have a letdown. The kids just fed off that energy. They fed off each other, and, you know, it’s a very big win.”
A big win it is; all eyes were on Henry Clay after their undefeated streak to start the season, including wins over Louisville Eastern and North Laurel. On the other hand, Bryan Station was beginning to gain traction of its own after a 13-point win over Frederick Douglass on the road a few days ago. Swiftly, Bryan Station proved that win wasn’t a fluke with a defensive masterclass that left Henry Clay’s offense confused and worried.
Henry Clay finished the night with 18 turnovers and shot 6-16 from the line. If this does not scream tough place to play, then I don’t know what does. Bryan Station’s guards pressed the Blue Devils and forced their guards to throw unnecessary turnovers across the court.
“That’s my style. And it always takes a little time to get there. But yeah, that’s how that’s how we play.” Coach Ligon said post-rowdy celebration, “When we come out and play with that energy and that intensity, we’re pretty tough.”
Toughness is the main word one should use when describing Bryan Station: hard-nosed, gritty, in-your-face defense for all four quarters.
Bryan Station’s Offense
While it is easy to get lost in the old Big-East-esque defense the Defenders implore, everybody knows you still need to score. Bryan Station is nowhere near the Iowa football of Kentucky HS basketball; their 77 points on 47.8% shooting and nine threes were impressive. Sophomore Amari Owens will become a household name by his senior season. On every must-get basket for the Defenders, #5 in white was the answer. With a smooth mid-range game and lethal attacking prowess, Owens is one to watch in Lexington.
However, the difference may have been junior Justin Richmond. He entered the game averaging 4.3 points per game off the bench. Early on, it was easy to see that Richmond was a great defensive guard that Coach Ligon trusted.
On the other hand, few could have predicted his offensive explosion that occurred on Friday night. Richmond ended his night with 17 points on 6-7 shooting from the field, including three from beyond the arc.
“We really have so many guys capable of doing that on a given night. And the good thing about it is every night, it’s a different guy. So, tonight, it was Justin’s turn. Next Friday, who knows whose turn it will be.”
With immense depth and hard-nosed defense, nobody will want to see the Defenders this season.
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