Purples finish strong to claim region crown

Published 11:50 pm Wednesday, March 19, 2025

By Micheal Compton

The Bowling Green boys’ basketball team has plenty of region titles, but the quest for the latest had hit a roadblock in recent years.

The last three years the Purples were playing for a Region 4 title, only to be turned away by rival Warren Central. The most recent setback was an overtime loss to the Dragons in 2024 — when Bowling Green won the previous three meetings.

Bowling Green entered as the favorite again against Clinton County on Wednesday at E.A. Diddle Arena, but this time the final horn brought jubilation — with the Purples claiming the region crown with a 66-59 win over the Bulldogs.

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It was Bowling Green’s first region title since 2021 and the 19th region title overall.

“We were here last year and thought we had the better team,” Bowling Green coach D.G. Sherrill said. “The locker room was really done. I told our guys tonight, because a lot of guys were in that game, when the game gets hard tonight remember that locker room. Remember that feeling.

“ … It’s just a proud moment to kind of have validation for a great group of kids that hung in here at Bowling Green High. This place means something to them.”

Bowling Green’s quest for another title didn’t come without some bumps along the way.

Clinton County (30-3), looking for the program’s first region title since 1960, came out on fire — building a 10-0 lead less than five minutes in.

A steal and layup from Luke Idlett broke the drought and allowed the Purples to settle in, closing the first quarter with a 10-2 run to trim the deficit to 12-10.

“It was all about pace,” Sherrill said. “I told the guys they would get on a run to start the game. The adrenaline is going. We just have to hang in there. Their size — we had to adjust to that early.”

Clinton County got the lead back up to five before Bowling Green eventually used a 9-2 run to take its first lead at 21-19 with 3:05 left in the first half. A 3-pointer from Arlando Davis gave the Purples a 24-21 advantage, but the Bulldogs regained the momentum with seven straight points and were able to hold on to a 31-29 advantage at halftime.

Bowling Green opened the second half with an 8-0 spurt, only for Clinton County to come roaring back with 11 straight to surge back in front 42-37 late in the third quarter.

Deuce Bailey got the momentum back for Bowling Green with a personal 7-0 run that allowed the Purples to head into the fourth quarter with a slim 44-42 advantage.

“It means a lot,” Bailey said. “My brothers, I’ve been playing with them for a long time now. It meant a lot of me to be able to step up and keep the game close while a couple of other seniors were in foul trouble.”

Bowling Green’s lead grew to 48-44 early in the fourth, but the Bulldogs answered with four straight to tie it again.

Joe Hurt’s baseline jumper gave the advantage back to the Purples and Idlett extended the lead, cashing in on an offensive rebound by Bailey with a corner 3 that made the score 53-48.

“That was a big shot,” Idlett said. “I have been practicing, been working on that shot my whole life. To hit it feels surreal. I have to give credit to Deuce for rebounding it and then a beautiful pass and trusting me to hit it.”

BG extended the margin to 56-49 after a three-point play from Braylon Banks with 2:48 left. Clinton County got as close as 56-54 before the Purples used an eight-point surge in 44 seconds to seal the win.

“There is no substitution for experience,” Sherrill said. “In the fourth quarter, I do think our experience kind of mattered there. We had to press some buttons and guys responded. It’s a great team win. I’m really proud to be going back to Rupp Arena. We’ve been here knocking on the door a bunch of times and we just couldn’t finish it. Tonight we were able to finish the deal.”

Idlett led Bowling Green with 21 points. Hurt added 18 points and Bailey finished with 12 points.

“I told my guys that if I never go back to the state tournament I’ve been one of the blessed basketball coaches to walk this court in Kentucky, but I wanted it for them,” Sherrill said. “Those six seniors, you want it for those guys because you know what a special experience it is to finish their career at Rupp Arena.”

Cannon Young finished with 23 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs. Nick Poore added 15 points and nine rebounds, while Jaxson Mason had 13 points and eight rebounds.

“We had them right where we wanted them,” Clinton County coach Nick Irwin said. “It was just typical of Bowling Green-Warren Central teams with us. I thought our zones really gave them problems early on. If you start spreading out and trying to defend them 40 feet, then you are in trouble. Not enough legs, depth.”

Bowling Green advances to face Region 5 champion Adair County in the opening round of the KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 on March 26 at 10 a.m. CDT at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

BGHS 10 19 15 22 — 66

CCHS 12 19 11 17 — 59

BG — Idlett 21, Hurt 18, Bailey 12, Wardlow 7, Banks 5, Davis 3.

CC — Young 23, Poore 15, Mason 13, Beaty 5, McCutchen 2, Davis 1.

I am a sports reporter and movie critic for the Bowling Green Daily News.

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