2012 Toyota Classic Game 7 - Woodford Co vs Dixie Heights Recap

WOODFORD COUNTY 73, DIXIE HEIGHTS 70

Eli Boggess, a 5-11 sophomore, hit a three-pointer with 20.9 seconds to play to vault Woodford County’s Yellow Jackets past  #12 Dixie Heights, 73-70, in the first semi-final game of the 2012 Toyota Classic.

Trailing the Colonels, 70-69, with less than 30 seconds to play, Boggess’ jumper from high on the right side swished cleanly to put the Jackets up, 72-70.  Dixie Heights’ Parker Stansbury missed a jumper in the lane and with three seconds to play, Woodford’s Jay Johnson was fouled after grabbing the rebound.  Johnson split a pair of free throws to give Woodford County the final three-point margin.

Boggess finished the night with 15 points on five of eight from the field and had missed his first four three-point attempts before hitting the game winner.  David Greenwell led Woodford County with 24 points while Johnson equalled Boggess with 15 points.  Rodney Gross was the fourth Jacket in double figures with 11 and his six rebounds led the winners on the glass.

Dixie Heights rebounded from a 17-15 deficit after one period to lead, 36-31, at the half as sophomore star Brandon Hatton poured in 19 of his game-high 26 points.  The Colonels added to their halftime margin by outscoring Woodford, 21-20, in the third quarter to take a 57-51 lead after three.

But Woodford County came from nine points down, 62-53, in the fourth period to catch and overtake the Colonels on seven of 10 field goal shooting.  Greenwell held the hot hand in the final eight minutes, hitting three of his last four shots before Boggess hit his only attempt of the fourth period to win the game.

Dixie Heights’ Hatton was joined in double figures by teammates Jordan Hassel with 16 points and Stansbury with 10.  Stansbury’s eight rebounds led both teams.

Woodford County will meet SCHS/NRHS on Saturday night at 9:00PM for the championship of the 2012 Toyota Classic.