Betsy Layne worked its way back to the top of the 58th District Friday night, defeating tournament host Prestonsburg 49-43 in the 58th District championship game.
Betsy Layne posted its 10th straight win, capturing its first district championship in 18 years. Prestonsburg will accompany the Bobcats in the 15th Region Tournament at the East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville.
Senior forward Jordan Newman scored a team-best 16 points and junior forward/center Casey Adkins added 15 to lift Betsy Layne over tournament host Prestonsburg.
Betsy Layne outscored Prestonsburg in each of the first two quarters and bounced back from an offensive slump in the third quarter.
The Bobcats outscored Prestonsburg 14-9 in the first quarter en route to a 26-20 lead at the intermission.
Senior guard Michael Burchett kept Prestonsburg in contention, pushing in a game-high 23 points. Burchett was the lone Prestonsburg scorer to reach double figures. Warren Blackburn and Cameron Tincher tossed in eight points apiece for the Blackcats in the low-scoring district championship game.
Claiming some much-needed momentum early on in the second half, Prestonsburg outscored Betsy Layne 15-7 in the third quarter.
But Betsy Layne battled right back. Avoiding finishing runner-up in the district in another season, Betsy Layne doubled up the Blackcats 16-8 in the fourth quarter.
Bryce Adkins (seven points), Nathan Martin (five points), Derek Tackett (four points) and Adam Howell (two points) aided the Betsy Layne scoring effort.
Betsy Layne (18-6) will face Phelps (13-8) tonight at 8 p.m. in a 15th Region Tournament opening round nightcap. Phelps finished runner-up behind Belfry in the 60th District.
Prestonsburg (6-21) will have the tough task of facing heavily-favored Shelby Valley (25-4). The Blackcats will battle Valley on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the final opening round game in the 15th Region Tournament.
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