After losing to University Heights on Friday, the Bowling Green boys’ basketball team didn’t need much motivation for Saturday’s game against Adair County in the Hoopin’ on the Hill Classic at Bowling Green High School.

The Purples may not have needed it, but they certainly got it with a couple of former teammates – freshman guard Zion Harmon and sophomore forward Dre Boyd – on the opposing bench. This year’s squad made it a long night for the former Purples as Bowling Green blitzed the Indians 95-71.

Five players finished in double figures as Bowling Green (17-8) shot 58 percent from the field and put up a season-high in points to cruise past Adair County.

“It was fun to come out and play against our old teammates,” Bowling Green senior forward Jarius Key said. “After the loss and the way we played yesterday we wanted to come out and play a good game and get the (win).”

Bowling Green coach Derrick Clubb said there was a little more buzz in the gym with Harmon – the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2021 – playing in Bowling Green for the first time since transferring to Adair County last summer.

“Most of the night there were seven kids on the floor here that played here last year,” Clubb said. “All of these kids have a lot of pride. I thought both teams competed, we just made a lot of shots. It was a reversal of last night.”

The game was originally scheduled to be played in a shootout in McCracken County last month, but the game was canceled due to travel concerns for Adair County and rescheduled for Saturday.

The anticipated matchup between Harmon, a critical part of last year’s state championship run, and his former teammates didn’t lack excitement, but it lacked drama with Bowling Green leading wire-to-wire.

The Purples wasted little time, jumping out to a 12-1 lead less than three minutes in.

Bowling Green scorched the nets in the first period – going 12-for-17 from the field, 4-for-6 from 3-point range – to take a commanding 30-7 advantage.

The Purples pushed the lead to as much as 27 in the second period before Adair County tried to make a run. The Indians shaved four points off the deficit before Jay Buser’s 3 from the left corner as time expired made the score 49-23 at halftime.

Harmon scored the first four points in the second half before Bowling Green continued its offensive assault. The Purples outscored Adair County 19-6 over the next five minutes to push the margin to 68-33 to force the KHSAA mandated running clock.

Despite the huge deficit the Indians kept fighting in the fourth quarter, but were unable to get closer than 23 points.

“University Heights hit 15 3s, and in a high school that is a lot of 3s, but I didn’t think we competed last night,” Clubb said. “That is what we talked about after the game. Tonight it was about competing for 32 minutes. I thought tonight we did a little bit better job of competing for the most part.”

Trevor Dennis led Bowling Green with 26 points. Key finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Ziyon Kenner, Davion Dice and Jay Buser all chipped in with 12 points each.

Harmon finished with 38 points for Adair County (14-9), going 13-for-35 from the field.

“It was good to be back at the school where I won a state championship,” Harmon said. “It was fun playing against players I practiced against every day. They came out shooting – hitting everything – and I came out hitting everything short. I was rushing. I should have just played like I usually play. I think I don’t translate my summer ball skills to my high school ball as well because I feel like double teams are going to come. I’m just going to stay up and stay in the gym and everything will be all right.”

The Purples return to action at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, traveling to face Owensboro.

ACHS 7 16 24 24 – 71

BGHS 30 19 25 21 – 95

AC – Harmon 38, Boyd 18, Melton 10, Simpson 3, Cundiff 2.

BG – Dennis 26, Key 15, Kenner 12, Dice 12, Buser 12, Gray 8, Wardlow 4, Dingle 4, Mason 2.{&end}