Returning to the 3rd Region Tournament for the first time since 2018, the moment wasn’t too big for Apollo. The Eagles found a way to quickly neutralize Ohio County’s student section, behind a dominant defensive performance that held their opponents to nine first-half points.
Taking a 22-point lead into the second half, Apollo easily closed out their opponents 61-38, advancing to the 3rd Region Tournament semi-finals for the first time since 2018.
“Our defense was one of the best defensive performances I have seen all year,” Apollo Head Coach Ryne Tinsley said. “That’s a really good offensive team, and they scored 38 points and only had nine points at halftime. …We tried to take away the threes and take away Durham. Durham finished with six points, when he averages 21. We’re trying to take away the best players and trying to live with other guys making plays. It just worked out tonight.”
Apollo took a 15-9 lead into the second quarter behind a balanced offensive attack that saw Tre Haskins and Eli Williams each hit a three, while Landon Henning and Carlos Cruz combined for seven points.
In the second quarter, Henning took over the game on both sides of the ball, scoring six points and blocking a multitude of shots. Kayden Green and Cruz helped crash the paint, while Haskins, Williams, and Tate Powers hounded Ohio County’s backcourt – holding their opponents scoreless for the quarter.
Taking a 31-9 lead into the third quarter, Apollo never allowed Ohio County back into the game. Every time their opponents tried to find momentum, the Eagles would respond with a dagger. After going scoreless in the first half, Kayden Green led the way down the stretch, scoring all nine of his points.
Henning led the Eagles in scoring with 14 points, Cruz and Powers both scored 10 points, and Green finished with nine points.
For Ohio County, Tate Abney scored a game-high 15 points, Emanuel Suarez added 10 points, and Ryan Durham finished with six points.
Awaiting Apollo in the semi-finals on Saturday at 7:45 pm is Meade County.
“Hayden Shouse is a really good player,” Tinsley said. “Meade scores the ball really well, and I’m sure it will be a different style. They pass the ball well, and they are a really good team. We will try to get prepared for them and see what happens.”
