A strong second half defensively was the key to a Daviess County win on Friday, as they defeated the Eagles 51-43 at home to secure the No. 3 seed in the 9th District Tournament.
Apollo got off to a strong start, getting five points each from seniors Zjhan Tutt and Jaxon Hardin to help take a 15-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. But the Panthers were able to turn things around and limit the Eagles to 10 points in the second, while sophomore Jaxon Brown (eight) hit two threes and combined with senior Jack Payne (four) for 12 points en route to taking a narrow 27-25 halftime lead.
In the third quarter it was a back and forth affair with both defenses limiting the other to single digits, but it was Daviess County that had a slight edge and took the 36-33 lead heading into the fourth. However, the Panthers were able to hold Apollo to single digits again in the fourth, while junior Gage Phelps grabbed eight points to help them secure the 51-43 win on senior night and the regular season district finale.
Phelps led all scorers with 18 points, while Brown finished with 12 points and Payne added nine points. The win moves Daviess County to 11-14 overall and 2-5 in district play, helping them secure the No. 3 seed in the 9th District Tournament—meaning they will take on Owensboro in the first round.
Apollo on the other hand falls to 4-21 overall and 0-6 in district play with the loss, as Tutt was the only player to finish in double figures for the Eagles with 10 points. They will be the No. 4 seed in the 9th District, taking on Owensboro Catholic in the first round.
But both teams have the final week of the regular season to play, as Daviess County will take on Grayson County on the road at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 and Apollo will return to action against Trinity (Whitesville) at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
