Oldham County Dethrones #7 North Oldham in Nail-Biting Finish
If college basketball has taught us one thing this season, it’s that playing on the road is plain hard. Ask any team in the top 25, and they’ll have a tale of woes from a road conference game. (South Carolina could write a book).
How about if the game consists of two teams from the same county, one being the original and the other being the new kids on the block? When #7 North Oldham entered Oldham County’s gymnasium on Thursday night, the boos seemed serious; a real ‘we don’t like you’ boo.
Usually, this could cause a road team to spiral, especially when the home team has a player averaging 30 points per game.
But the Mustangs faithful traveled well, as nearly a quarter of the gym consisted of Oldham County and North Oldham students. However, if road tests prove one thing, it’s how tough the guys next to you are.
And when North Oldham saw a 17-6 first-quarter lead flip to a 35-28 deficit at the half, the pressure seemed to get louder. Especially when Coach David Levitch’s plan seemed to go so well — 30 points per game star Max Green was held to just six first-half points.
However, a combination of Louis Nava and Will Hinkle exploded for Oldham County, leading the Colonels to a shocking upset over a top-10 opponent.
Oldham County holds strong
Oldham County’s second-quarter comeback was not sparked by their star Max Green (who entered the game averaging 33.2 points per game for Oldham County). It was a combination of Nava, Hinkle, and others for the Colonels that began to hit big shots. North Oldham made it very clear that they were going to make somebody other than Green beat them, with tons of double teams and fighting over screens. However, it was all Oldham County leading at the break, and the momentum was firmly with the Colonels.
After the game, Green spoke on his teammates success early on. Green said, “We did an awesome job in the second quarter, we knew they were going to double me and try to take me away. Louis (Nava) and Will (Hinkle) and Jeremy (Harmon) all hit big shots and kept us in the game. And then I knew it was just a matter of time before I did what I do.”
Things didn’t go better from North Oldham out of the half; Max Green buried a three to extend Oldham County’s lead to seven early in the second half.
However, a three from senior Ryan Howard seemed to ignite the Mustangs. Then back-to-back buckets (including a three) from Jack Fischer kept North Oldham going, but Green refused to go away. The Holy Cross commit drained a three, then a beautiful runner to keep Oldham County’s lead at five midway through the third period. Then, Max Green hit a three from the LOGO to ignite Oldham County to an 11-point lead.
Third Quarter to Remember
Green didn’t stop there; he went on to drain six threes IN THE THIRD QUARTER. A little shimmy shake, bottoms. Double cross, bottoms. Pump fake at the end of the quarter, bottoms. Green went full takeover mode. Like Stephen Curry 2K16 type of mode, draining every shot he could possibly put up. North Oldham kept trying to answer, with Grant Neal and Jack Fischer trying to take on Green, but it was no use, it was just one of those days.
“I thought of having moments like this, this is what I’ve dreamed of my whole life. Shooting around at the YMCA when I was little, hitting buzzer beaters against North and South. That was probably the biggest crowd in the history of Oldham County, and I’m proud to be able to show what I can do.”
Green continued with his supreme confidence, and once Oldham County took an 11-point lead into the fourth most thought it was over. However, North Oldham had one more push in them, as the fourth quarter was the craziest yet.
Fourth Quarter Comeback from North Oldham
North Oldham began to press with around four minutes left in the game, and this pressure led to a couple of significant turnovers.
Threes from Ryan Howard and Gray Schmittel gave North Oldham hope, and Jack Fischer began to take over for the Mustangs. This led to the Mustangs trailing by five. A turnover from Oldham County led to Max Green intentionally fouling a North Oldham player, which led to two free throws and the ball. Neal sunk both, and Fischer scored a bucket to bring the Mustangs within one. Another errant player from Oldham County allowed Fischer to create another bucket to bring the Mustangs within one with 20 seconds left.
Then after a chaotic inbound where North Oldham had the ball for a few seconds, Oldham County was sent to the foul line again. This time, the Colonels went 1-2 which gave North Oldham one more chance at glory.
But Oldham County stood strong, and the Colonels hung on to knock off the number seven Mustangs 66-64.
After the game, Max Green reflected on his performance. “I think Louis was the MVP of the game, he’s the reason we won. I don’t think we got any love for beating Woodford (County), I think we have one of the best squads in the state, and I think I’m one of the best players in the state.”
Green finished with 30 points and seven rebounds. Watch out, Kentucky.
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