The Caldwell County boys’ basketball team is still looking for its first win of the young season after a 75-71 loss to Union County in the 6th/7th District Challenge at Webster County on Saturday night. The Tigers slip to 0-2 with a visit from Crittenden County (0-2) looming on Tuesday. The Braves pick up their first win of the year and stand at 1-2 overall.
Derrin Boyd had the hot hand early, pouring in 11 first-quarter points to help the Tigers to a 16-12 advantage. Caldwell’s John Davis scored 9 in the second frame, but the Tigers couldn’t find any breathing room and the teams were tied 29-29 at the break.
The second half became the Kale Gaither show. The Union County sophomore went for 13 points in the third quarter to propel the Braves to a 6-point advantage. Gaither continued to torch the Tigers over the final minutes, adding 12 more points for a game-high 29. Jamarius Blaine scored 7 for the Tigers and they outscored the Braves 26-24 in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t climb all the way back.
Boyd led the way for the Tigers with 23, followed by Davis with 16 and Blaine with 9. After Gaither, Elex Dunford finished with 15 for the Braves, while Iverson King had 11.