LUBBOCK – The Grady Wildcats held off a late charge from the Paducah Dragons to claim the Class A Area title Friday night at Lubbock Cooper High School.
Grady’s offense caught Paducah napping at the start of the game and lit up the scoreboard with five three-pointers. Quint Harrell led the charge with three daggers from downtown and Logan Aaron and Chapman Sims tossed in one long range bucket each.
The Wildcat’s defense was the big story in the second quarter holding the Dragons to one made field goal and a trio of free throws. Grady’s combination of three-point bombs and high-pressure defense earned the Wildcats a 26-16 halftime advantage.
A rejuvenated Paducah Dragons took the floor in the third quarter. Led by Jakyen Wright’s seven-point outburst, Paducah came screaming back cutting Grady’s lead to 34-31.
Wright continued to play well over the final eight minutes throwing in another six points, but Grady responded with another Sims three pointer and Aaron and Harrell were relentless trying to get to the basket and were sent to the foul line nine times. They combined for eight points and that was enough to secure the 47-43 victory.
Aaron led Grady in scoring with 15 points and Harrell added 13 points.
Sims helped out with 10 points followed by Austin Aaron with four, Kody Cates three, and Cooper Wallin two.
Grady improved to 23-9 on the season and advanced to the Regional Quarterfinals and will play Whitharral.