The Taylor County Cardinals delivered one of their biggest wins of the postseason Monday night, knocking off powerhouse Caverna 52–35 to punch their ticket to the 5th Region Championship.
Taylor County put together a balanced offensive effort and an impressive defensive performance to take down one of the region’s most respected programs. The Cardinals shot an efficient 48.6% from the field, connecting on 17 of 35 shots, while also knocking down six three-pointers to help keep momentum throughout the night.
Sophomore Cooper Stone led the Cardinals offensively with 12 points, attacking the basket and going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Senior Bryten Close added 10 points, providing a steady presence for Taylor County in the paint.
The Cardinals’ offense featured strong balance, with three more players adding eight points each. Senior Carter Wise had an incredibly efficient night, going 3-for-3 from the field including 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. Junior Lane Hord also chipped in eight points, knocking down a three-pointer and hitting three free throws, while sophomore Bryce Vernon added eight points including two three-pointers.
Senior Griffin Hines contributed five points and helped space the floor with a three-pointer, while junior Jaron Johnson added a free throw to round out the scoring.
Taylor County also controlled the glass, finishing with 33 total rebounds. Stone, Close, Vernon, and Hines each pulled down six rebounds, helping the Cardinals limit second-chance opportunities for Caverna.
The Cardinals were also solid from the perimeter, shooting 37.5% from three-point range and making timely shots whenever Caverna threatened to make a run.
With the win, Taylor County advances to the 5th Region Championship game Tuesday night, where they will face North Hardin. North Hardin earned their spot in the title game after defeating Adair County on Monday night.
Now just one win away from a regional title, the Cardinals will look to carry their balanced scoring, strong rebounding, and confident shooting into Tuesday night’s championship showdown.