KHSAA: Lincoln County wins 12th Region on buzzer-beater
It was a wild sequence, but the ball ended up in an excellent shooter’s hands with the clock ticking down in the 12th region championship and a trip to Rupp Arena on the line.
Colton Ralston did the rest.
Ralston scored all five of Lincoln County’s overtime points, including the baseline jumper as time expired, to cap off a dramatic 42-40 (OT) win over Pulaski County, and send the Patriots to Rupp Arena.
Tied at 40 Jaxon Smith drove into the lane, but his shot was too strong. Clayton Davis, who was an important factor on the boards all night, tipped the ball to Ralston, who got off the game-winner right before the horn.
“I thought I was going to make it. I always think I’m going to make it,” Ralston said.
Pulaski County trailed 37-33 late in regulation, but got four points from Zach Travis and survived a missed Smith shot to force overtime.
Lincoln struck first in overtime, with Smith’s penetration setting up a Ralston 3-pointer to go up 40-37.
Travis answered with a late 3-pointer where he was fouled, but missed the free throw, giving Lincoln County the chance to hold for the last shot. That’s when Ralston’s heroics kicked in.
Tramane Alcorn led the Patriots with 12 points, including some key fourth-quarter buckets on straight-line drives. Lincoln County, whose identity is half-court defense, allowed 16 first-quarter points, but only 24 after that.
Pulaski County (30-3) had one of its best seasons in school history. Travis, who scored the Maroons’ final 7 points, finished with 16 and played well down the stretch.
Lincoln County (29-7) will play 6th region champion Jeffersontown next Wednesday at 11:30 AM at Rupp Arena in what looks to be a pretty even matchup. To win in March you must have good guard play, something Lincoln County excels in. Alcorn and Smith are both very difficult to stop.
“We’re going (to Rupp Arena) to try to win it. We are not done yet,” Ralston said.
Lincoln County 42: Alcorn 12, Ralston 10, Smith 8, Sims 6, Davis 6
Pulaski County 40: Travis 16, Sloan 10, Stevens 8, Williams 4, Lancaster 2
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard