Prep Hoops KY 10 Best: Bowling Green vs. Franklin-Simpson
Bowling Green and Franklin-Simpson squared off in a Region 4 vs. Region 4 matchup on Friday night in Bowling Green, Ky. The Purples and Wildcats traded baskets and went back-and-forth throughout most of the contest, but only one team could win.
In what would be a very intriguing high school basketball game, numerous players had big outings, but one athlete from each side outdid the rest. Thanks to a stellar performance from Terry Taylor, Bowling Green used a big third quarter run and won a hard-fought contest over a dominant Franklin-Simpson club by a score of 55-42.
- Most Valuable Player: Terry Taylor, Bowling Green — The strong forward was one of the Purples’ main leader on Friday. The senior, who is a double-double machine, scored 14 points while also pulling down 13 total rebounds, with six being off the offensive glass. It took Taylor a little while to get into a rhythm, but once he did, he took control of the affair and led the Purples all throughout the night.
- Play of the Game: Zion Harmon fast-break layup and foul, Bowling Green — Zion Harmon’s fast-break layup and-one was very easily the play of the game. Harmon caught a pass from Taylor, who had just grabbed a rebound on the other end of the court, dribbled quickly up the court and then drove in, hit a layup and got fouled in the process. The score increased the Purples’ run to 10-0, at the time.
- Best Offensive Performance: Tavin Lovan, Franklin-Simpson — Lovan put on an impressive offensive performance on Friday night. Lovan is physically gifted and was virtually unstoppable attacking the rim on Friday. He scored 12 of his 20 points all in the first half and helped his Wildcats club be knotted up at 23-23 with Bowling Green at halftime. Lovan scored in a variety of ways including layups, free throws and mid range pull ups.
- Best Defensive Performance: Tavin Lovan, Franklin-Simpson — Lovan made his defensive presence felt all night long. The strong guard/forward altered many shots without fouling. He also grabbed seven in the game and scored 20 points.
- Best Guy off the Bench: Jordan Bass, Franklin-Simpson — Bass came off the bench on Friday and contributed in a big way. He finished with four points – and not just an ordinary four points. He scored those baskets in tough ways, including one where he grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in over two Bowling Green defenders. He played tenacious defense, set up opportunities for his teammates and followed head coach Dee Spencers’ play calls.
- Best Intangibles: Kyran Jones, Bowling Green — Jones’ toughness and competitiveness stood out all throughout the game. He possessed a high basketball IQ and made the right basketball plays throughout the game. Jones set excellent screens and found himself many opportunities to get to the lane and score and was strong with the ball.
- Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Daelon Payne, Franklin-Simpson — Although most of his scoring came in the first half, Payne hit big shots and was the backbone of the Wildcats’ club on Friday. He hustled, played tenacious defense and helped get others involved while also contributing points wise.
- Best Underclassman: Zion Harmon, Bowling Green — Harmon, an eight-grader, scored 19 points and is the best underclassman on Bowling Green’s squad. Each game, he plays like a senior by knocking down big shots and controlling the tempo of the contest. Harmon is the top-rated 8th grader in the nation.
- Best Rebounder: Terry Taylor, Bowling Green — Taylor grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds in this game. He made a pair of crucial rebounds Friday that set up scoring opportunities on the opposite end of the court, as well as offensive boards that gave his team second chances.
- Best Coaching Decision/Strategy: Sherrill‘s playcalling, Bowling Green — The best coaching decision or strategy of the game was Coach D.G. Sherrill’s playcalling all throughout the course of the contest. From the time the ball was thrown up to the final buzzer, Sherrill used his jam-packed basketball mind and guided the Purples to their 32nd-straight victory over Region 4 opponents.