PAINTSVILLE – Johnson Central is the winningest basketball program in the 57th District hands down.
The Golden Eagles captured their 21st championship Friday night, extending its own record and fourth straight with a 69-56 victory over cross-town rival Paintsville at Bill “Mike” Runyon Court.
Cory VanHoose poured in a game-high 29 points while Gabe Ferrell tossed in 17 and Jacob Rice tallied 10 as the Golden Eagles improved to 24-7.
Colby Fugate fired in 24 points for the Tigers, now 18-7. Braxton Tharp added 10.
It was Coach Tommy McKenzie’s seventh district title, third most all time.
At Paintsville
(57th District championship)
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
JC (24-7)…14 15 19 21 – 69
PV (18-7)…16 17 12 11 – 56
Scoring:
Johnson Central (69) – Isaiah May 1(1) 0-2 5; Jacob Rice 3(1) 7-10 16; Cory VanHoose 12(1) 2-3 29; Gabe Ferrell 2(4) 1-2 17; Braxton Bentley 0 0-2 0; Zach Russell 1 0-0 2. Totals: 19(7) 10-19 69.
Paintsville (56) – Nick Keeton 2 0-0 4; Seth Williams 2 2-2 6; Braxton Tharp 2(2) 0-4 10; Colby Fugate 5(3) 5-6 24; Brady Dingess 3 1-1 7; James Allen 1 0-1 2; and Jaxon Watts 0(1) 0-0 3. Totals: 15(6) 8-14 56.
JC wins 21st 57th title extending own record. 4th straight.
JC Coach Tommy McKenzie wins 7th district title. 3rd most all time.