The Calloway County Lakers face crosstown rival Murray High on Tuesday evening at 7:30 in a first round game of the Fourth District basketball tournament. The Lakers come into the game with a 19-8 record having won three of their last four. Murray is 12-17.
Calloway beat the Tigers 77-57 at Murray on January 11. But they won by a single point, 64-63 in overtime when the two teams played on January 25 at Jeffrey Gymnasium. Click here for video of Wade Carter's game winning shot.
So what was the difference in the two games?
Well, in Calloway's 20 point victory over the Tigers, Parker Adams had 15 points. He scored just one point in the rematch. And Murray's James and Dylan Boone were far more effective the second time around. They combined for 17 points in the first game and 32 in the second game.
The Lakers have a distinct edge in the low post as Murray struggles to defend the 6-8 Michael Arnett. Having said that, they used the burly Adam Stubblefield on Arnett at times in the second game and he fared better than starter Tre Hornbuckle. Hornbuckle is taller and more athletic but Stubblefield used his strength and bulk very effectively.
Calloway should win this game. The Litkenhous ratings make them an 11 point favorite. But if the Lakers aren't on top of their game Murray could make it interesting.