BASKETBALL: Hawks lose to Barren County

 The LaRue County Hawks fell to Barren County 56-66 Jan. 17.

Hawks Coach Paul Childress called it a “tale of two halves.”

LaRue played “decent defense in the first half and especially finished strong at the end of the second quarter,” he said.

The Trojans were down by seven points (28-21) at intermission but, unfortunately for the Hawks, rallied in the second half. They outscored LaRue 22-12 in the third period.

“We absolutely stood around in the second half and allowed Barren County to take it right at us and we did not have an answer,” said Childress. “They played harder, tougher and with a sense of purpose. Our defense was too porous and our offense was lethargic. We stood around and did not go after balls.”

Senior guard Kyle Sheeran had team-high scoring of 23 points for the Hawks. He hit five of seven 3-point shots and six-of-eight free throw attempts, and three rebounds.

Junior guard Kelton Ford added 16 points and four rebounds.

Senior guard Kyle Meredith added 10 points, three steals and four rebounds; sophomore forward Kody Key scored four and had two rebounds.

Rounding out the Hawks’ game were junior guard Gabe Shirley with three points, three assists and two rebounds; senior forward Jonathon Firquin with four rebounds; sophomore forward Tyler Howell with three rebounds; and junior center Jackson Venegas with two rebounds.

“Hopefully, our guys now understand how hard you have to play and focused you have to be against good fundamental teams,” said Childress. “That is the second game in the last three where I thought we didn't demonstrate the type of

effort we had been giving up to that point. It's now my job to find a way to get us back to playing hard and executing on both ends.”

UP NEXT: LaRue County plays at Russell County at 8 p.m. Friday.