Woodford County Outlasts Collins en Route to 8th Region Title
Woodford County defeated Collins 44-21 in the 8th Region boys basketball title game on Tuesday night at Henry County High School. Despite the low-scoring game, Woodford County’s brilliant defense was the difference-maker. The Yellow Jackets were able to convert all of Collins’ missed shots into transition attacks in the second half, resulting in a 14-2 run and a lead that Collins could not overcome.
Regional tournament MVP Jasper Johnson scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Woodford County. The consensus four-star sophomore was everything as advertised in the second half. Out of the break, Johnson provided the spark that led to Woodford outscoring Collins 34-9.
After the game, Johnson remembered all of the doubters throughout the season, “I mean, it means a lot, you know, early on in the year, you know, we had a couple of losses, everybody said we were the worst in the 8th Region. We had a couple of injuries; we are all back group together now. So we went on a run, and now we’re going to Rupp.”
Slow start in intense matchup
The intensity was palpable as both teams’ student sections roared throughout Henry County’s gym. As the national anthem was performed, Woodford and Collins seemed determined to take home the 8th Region crown. Maybe it was the nerves or the intensity, but the shooting through the first 16 minutes was poor. Collins’ shot an abysmal 29% from the field in the first half and was winning! The Yellow Jackets came out with a rough 23% from the line, with most of their points coming from guard Santonio Waide.
The snail-like start from both teams caused the halftime score to raise eyebrows throughout the state; Woodford trailed 12-10 at the break. The primary factor of this lead was the unbelievable intensity that Collins’ processed on the defensive end. It is rare to see a high school team so disciplined in a zone, which caused Woodford fits.
Woodford County head coach Jaron Brown talked to KSR about the slow start, “We missed shots, we missed a lot of shots because they played good defense; they are a good team. In the second half, we got a couple of turnovers, and we capitalized off of it. We picked up a seven-point lead and didn’t let them back into it.”
Second half surge from the Yellow Jackets
Coming out of the break, Woodford County seemed determined to prove the poor shooting was a fluke. And they did just that, firing at an insane 68% from the field, including an efficient 2/3 from three. Johnson, Smith, and Waide combined for 38 of Woodford’s 44 points, most of them coming in the second half.
One of the key factors to the second-half surge was the point guard play from sophomore Santonio Waide. Now, Waide is listed at 5’10, but that could be a stretch. However, he controls the pace of the game at a level rarely seen in high school ball.
Waide plays above his height constantly and continued to make smart reads all night.
“I’m just trying to control the pace of the game,” he said. “Keep the possession in our hands waste as much time but be smart. You know just keep doing what I got to do.”
Every team needs a hard-nosed guard that will do anything to win, and the Yellow Jackets have that.
Meaningful victory for Woodford County
This win marks Woodford County’s first regional championship since 1986. A feat that the entire squad felt after the game. The emotions overwhelmed most, as Kentucky MBB assistant Orlando Antigua and Kentucky FB assistant Vince Marrow watched on as the Yellow Jackets made history. Marrow’s nephew John McCrear, was one of the players feeling the emotions as he returned from a bad injury earlier in the season. However, senior guard Aden Nelson seemed to understand the magnitude of the moment.
“You know, it’s a hard-working journey. You don’t need the glitz and glamour like the other top schools. They have the best weight rooms and everything you can take to Versailles; It’s not the best. But we make the best out of it. You put your head down and work; this is where it gets you.”
Powerful words from Nelson show how much this means to the people of Versailles.
Coach Brown echoed the same sentiment saying, “Man. It just feels so good. I’ve been here for four years, and to get there four years is really good. It usually takes four or five years to build a program. And to get there on our fourth year, man, wow. It just feels a lot more knowing the kids how hard they work and listen.”
Johnson is ready for the big stage
The party won’t stop there, according to the Yellow Jacket fans. Woodford County clashes with J-Town on March 15th at the home of basketball in the state, Rupp Arena.
Hopefully, the Yellow Jackets will bring their shooting to advance. Except, advancing may mean more to Jasper Johnson. He recently made a trip to Rupp Arena for an unofficial visit to Kentucky.
“It’s going to be nice (playing at Rupp), wonderful feeling. We went there last year after we got put out, and we all sat there. Oh, my God. We’re going to be here next year. And now we are; it’s awesome.”
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