A tough night Thursday for the Caldwell County Tigers, as they fell 66-50 to the Mayfield Cardinals. It was a game where on several occasions it felt like if Caldwell County could just come up with a key shot or a big rebound they would rally and take it down to the wire.
Mayfield opened the game quickly jumping out to a 13-4 lead, as their full court defensive pressure caused early problems for the Tigers. However, the Tigers, behind the play of Derrin Boyd cut the margin to 13-11 late in the first quarter. Mayfield responded by scoring the next six points to take a 19-11 lead at the end of one.
The Tigers battled throughout the second quarter to cut into the lead. In fact, Caldwell County cut the Mayfield lead to four points on five occasions, but could get no closer. It seemed liked open shots would refuse to fall and key rebounds always came down in the hands of a Cardinal player. Mayfield would go to the locker room at the break holding to a 30-25 lead.
Mayfield open the third quarter on an 11-2 run, pushing the lead out to 41-27. Caldwell County could get no closer than ten points the rest of the way. Mayfield led after three by the score of 49-37.
Caldwell County got a steal and a layup from Derrin Boyd to cut the margin to 10 at the beginning of the 4th quarter, and had chances to get inside double digits. But once again, shots would not fall at key moments, and the Cardinals were able to hold the Tigers at bay for the rest of the game.
Derrin Boyd once again had a big night for Caldwell County with 20 points. John Davis was the only other Tiger in double figures with 10. Jameer Riley added 8.
Mayfield was led by Carson Guthrie with 20 points. His brother Conner added 18.
With the loss, Caldwell County falls to 2-2 on the season. The Tigers will return to action next Thursday night at Webster County. Mayfield opens the season at 1-0.
