Scott battles back, crowned state champs

It was loud, and it was exciting.

Just the way a state championship game should be between the top 2 ranked teams in the state, as the number one Scott County Cardinals battled back from a fourth quarter deficit to claim their second state crown, beating number two Ballard, 56-50.

And the Cardinals faithful can thank Bud Mackey for this one, as the junior scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half, 11 in the fourth quarter. Mackey picked up the slack for Matt Walls, who had a subpar night, but still played his guts out and provide the senior leadership that was greatly needed down the stretch. Walls had scored 26 and 25 points the last 2 games, but was held to 12 on this night.

No matter, though, as Mackey came through in the clutch, bringing his team back from 7 points down in the final quarter to score the state championship win.

The Bruins could manage only 5 points in the final period, as their cold shooting finally caught up with them. Ballard shot just 29% for the game. The loss also snapped the longest win streak in the state at 26 games. Ballard also fell to Scott County in the very first game of the season, losing at Scott, 88-67.

Mackey would score 9 of his team's 10 points in a run that finally gave his team the lead in the fourth period. His 2 free-throws at the 3:10 mark gave the Cards a lead they would not lose again, on their way to another state title.

Ballard grabbed the lead midway through the second quarter, and controlled things handily until Mackey decided to take things into his own hands.

The Cardinals end the season with a sterling 34-2 record, 30-0 against Kentucky teams. Ballard ended with a just as good mark of 35-3.

Along with Mackey's 22 and Walls' 12, Hundley finished with 9 points. Walls also added 10 boards for another double-double by a great player in this tournament, and there were many.

Johonne Hamilton led Ballard with 13 points, with Jonathon Gholson netting 10. Leading scorer Twany Beckham was held to just 2 points. Still, this kid has got some major game. Whoever signs him in college is getting a stud player.

Mackey, Walls and Hundley were each named to the all-tournament team, with Mackey earning MVP honors. Beckham, Hamilton and Stanley were also named. Joining these 6 were Nick Fudge from Adair County; Preston Knowles from Clark County; Jonathon Ferguson from Elliott County; Trey Smith from South Laurel; Arrez Henderson and Greg Rice from Holmes; Monie Hudson and Jeremy Anderson from Warren Central.

Not being voted to the team, but needing to be recognized is Austin Hill from Holmes. Before the semi-finals, he was arguably the best player in the tournament, and while he had a subpar game by his standards, he still finished with 15 points.

But, a huge congratulations goes out to Scott County, and their fans, for winning the 2007 National City/KHSAA Boys Sweet 16 state championship.

Posted by: Marc Hall

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