Ballou's Bomb Blasts Indians To District Title

The ACHS Indians had beaten Taylor Co. by a total of five points in their two previous meetings this season so they knew they would be in for a barnburner. However, after poor shooting throughout the first half, they were able to overcome a nine point 3rd quarter deficit and defeat the home standing Cardinals in thrilling fashion as Darren Ballou nailed a three point basket from the left corner at the buzzer for the 47-44 win.
From the onset, the Indians, and Corey Helm in particular, looked like they might cruise to a victory as the 5’8 junior nailed two three pointers in the games first two minutes to boost the Tribe to a quick 6-0 lead, while the Cards would start the game 0-4 from the field. But the early shooting touch seemed to leave the Indians as they would only manage one more field goal (another Helm three pointer) the remainder of the first quarter as Taylor Co. climbed back to force a 9-9 tie.
The second frame started off in fine fashion for the Tribe as they collected back to back alley oop baskets, one each from Darren Ballou and Kalen Kimberland in the initial 1:30 of the stanza. However, that would be the high point for the frame as they Tribe would go scoreless for the next six minutes on the clock and Taylor Co. took advantage scoring the games next nine points to lead 20-11. Nick Fudge ended the half on a high note for the Indians as he connected on a basket with :24 remaining to set the intermission score at 20-13.
After the Cardinals scored six of the second half’s initial eight points to take their biggest lead of the contest at 26-17 at the 5:37 mark of the third period forcing Indian Head Coach Mark Fudge to take a timeout to calm his team and break the momentum. The Indians settled and after cutting the lead to 27-19 they made their move, behind the offensive power of their two leading scorers on the season, as Kalen Kimberland and Darren Ballou would combine to score 25 of the Tribe’s final 28 points of the game.
The rally began with a Kimberland basket and Ballou three point basket that cut the Cardinal advantage to 29-26 with 2:00 remaining in the third frame. Following a Taylor Co. timeout succeeding Ballou’s basket, Kimberland went right back at it with a steal, where he drove for a lay-up to close the score to a one point Cardinal lead.
With Taylor Co. nursing a three point advantage opening the fourth period, the Indians went back to work forcing a 35-35 tie with 5:36 remaining as Ballou connected on the front end of two free throws. But quite possibly the play of the game happened following the miss on the second free throw. Cardinal big man Leonard Macon controlled the rebound and attempted to take the ball into his offensive court but was out of control and committed his fourth foul of the game with 5:32 remaining and would be benched for the games next 2:30 of clock time. During the stretch with Macon on the bench, the Taylor Co. staff decided to leave their zone defense and match up man to man with the Indians. The move would backfire from the get go, as Kimberland’s quickness was too much for his defender, scoring five consecutive points to give the Indians their first lead since the early second period at 40-36.
But as they have in every meeting, the Cards would answer right back, scoring the games next five points on a Jeff Gumm basket and a Cox three pointer to lead 41-10 with 2:00 remaining. After both teams would trade scoreless possessions, Indian point guard Nick Fudge turned in a beautiful basket and free throw off a Ballou miss to give the Indians back the lead at 43-41, that score was followed by a single Kimberland charity toss with :42 seconds remaining to set up the final fireworks.
Taylor Co. used their final timeout to set up their final play, as Cox would somehow find an opening to nail his fourth three point basket of the second half, this one coming on the right wing with :32 remaining to tie the contest. But the Indians would not be denied in this one, as Corey Helm would find Ballou for the game winner at the buzzer.
Kalen Kimberland and Darren Ballou would lead the Indians in scoring with 16 and 15 respectively. The two would combine for 27 of these points in the second half. Corey Helm chipped in nine points, all on first half three pointers. Chase Cox led the Cardinals with 22 points.
ACHS 9 6 14 18 47
TCHS 9 11 12 12 44
Adair Co.—Kimberland 16, Ballou 15, Helm 9, Fudge 5, Murrell 2.

ACHS 56 Campbellsville 37
The Indians advanced to Saturday night’s district final with a win over Campbellsville to open up the tournament. The Tribe outscored the Eagles 19-7 in the final frame to take the win.
The Indians would start the game cold from the field and found themselves trailing 10-8, before Nick Fudge would bury a three point basket at the first quarter buzzer to give the tribe an 11-10 advantage and they would never trail again.
The Indians extended their lead to 29-20 at the half behind 11 first half points from Darren Ballou, with Corey Helm adding seven.
After being outscored by the Eagles in the third period, the Indians took control in the fourth as they held their opponents to only two field goals in the stanza in the win.
Ballou and Helm scored double figures for the Indians with 19 and 13 points. Cameron Murrell added 8 points in the win.
CHS 10 10 10 7 37
ACHS 11 18 8 19 56
Adair Co.—Ballou 19, Helm 13, Murrell 8, Kimberland 7, Fudge 6, Sandusky 3.

 

Photo:Forward Darren Ballou launched a three-pointer over the outstretched arms of Taylor County's Chase Cox as time expired to give Adair County a 47-44 victory over the Cardinals in the 20th District Championship Saturday night. (Photo by Paul B. Hayes)