WILLIAMSBURG — It was a game that featured 56 fouls and 60 combined free throws, but in the end, South Laurel found a way to slip past Whitley County in Tuesday’s semifinal action of the 50th District Tournament while recording a 55-42 win.
Both teams were handcuffed throughout the game with key players in foul trouble.
The Cardinals finished the game with three players with four fouls and two players with two fouls while the Colonels had three players foul out and two players finish with four fouls.
Junior Jordan Mabe came up clutch for South Laurel, scoring 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor while also hitting 7-of-13 attempts from the free-throw line. He also added eight rebounds, four blocks, and three steals.
“Just another 50th District Battle,” South Laurel coach Jeff Davis said. “Coach (Eric) Swords has done an excellent job with his group and they played their tails off.
“Just proud of how our team battled and just kept fighting,” he added. “Survive and advance — now we have to get ready for another huge challenge.”
The win advances the Cardinals to Friday’s 50th District title game against rival Corbin. The Redhounds won both matchups between the two teams during regular season play.
South Laurel will also attempt to win its sixth straight district championship.
Josh Steele added 14 points for the Cardinals while Colton Rawlings finished with 11 points.
South Laurel shot 14-of-33 from the floor, including a 3-of-7 effort from 3-point range.
The Cardinals held Whitley County to a 12-of-40 shooting effort, including a 2-of-11 effort from behind the arch. The Colonels outrebounded South Laurel, 26-22.
Evan Ellis led Whitley County with 13 points while Bryson Mahan finished with nine points.
