The Ballard Bruins, led by head coach Greg Willis, advanced to the KHSAA 7th Region Semifinals after Qyntin Woods’ game winning layup in overtime. Ballard took on one of their biggest rivals, Male, led by star sophomore Jordan Mitchell who is averaging 23.6 points per game this season. This highly anticipated game delivered one of the greatest Kentucky high school basketball games in years, ending with a wild overtime finish.
The Male Bulldogs took an early lead in the first quarter, going up 24-17. The Bulldogs hit six three pointers during the first quarter, getting themselves on track to set a Kentucky school record by the end of the game. However, Ballard kept themselves in this physical game, going on a 12-5 run to cut the lead down to 3. Despite being fouled 3 times in the first quarter, former Male guard and current Ballard star Cole Edelen kept his head up, demonstrating the strong mentality from the Bruins.
Within a minute, Ballard had tied it up again, following a three by senior Jaden Culver. The Bruins took advantage of Male’s foul trouble, playing a more physical game. The Bruins went on a 7-0 run to end the quarter, going up 37-35. Ballard guard Cole Edelen led the Bruins in scoring with 9 points, whereas the Bulldogs were led by Jordan Mitchell with 16. The game was proving to be one of the best regional games, going back and forth the entire 10 minutes of play.
The Bruins kept this pace consistent, starting off the quarter hot with two three pointers by Qyntin Woods and a dunk from freshman phenom Mason Grivna. However, this lead did not last long, with Male player Jordan Mitchell scoring 13 points in the 3rd quarter alone. The Bulldogs have crept up on the Bruins, cutting the lead down to one at the end of the third quarter, 55-54. Cole Edelen has four fouls at the end of the 3rd quarter.
Within two minutes, Male had taken the lead by one, but this did not last long following Cole Edelen’s alley-oop to Mason Grivna to take the lead. Following, Jordan Mitchell sunk a layup to take the lead for Male. Ballard gets the ball back, however Mason Grivna misses a close shot, as well as Cole Edelen missing a three, giving Male the ball with 35 seconds left. Ballard fouls Male player Jordan Mitchell, who goes 0 for 2 on his free throws. Cole Edelen drives to the hoop with 6 seconds left, but is fouled, giving him two shots to potentially win the game. He misses the first, but sinks the second, ending the 4th quarter in a tie following a sloppy possession by Male to win the game.
To start overtime, Male goes up by 4 following an alley-oop by Jordan Mitchell. However, Jaden Culver hit a quick to answer, cutting the lead down to 1. Following back to back baskets from Mason Grivna, sophomore Baron Clay scores to increase the lead to 3. Male hits a quick three to answer, tying the game at 76. On the final play, Cole Edelen takes the ball at half court, looking for an open man. He finds Jaden Culver, who is instantly swarmed by two defenders, and throws it up to Mason Grivna who finds Qyntin Woods wide open for the game winning layup.
78-76 Ballard was the final score.
