The Pikeville Panthers opened the first-ever Pike County Classic in impressive fashion, rallying in the second half to knock off a talented Huntington Prep squad, 79–70.
Huntington Prep started strong, using efficient scoring and perimeter shooting to build a 37–32 halftime lead. But after the break, Pikeville’s offense caught fire. The Panthers erupted for 47 second-half points, turning up the pace and attacking the basket with confidence. In the closing minutes, Pikeville sealed the win at the free-throw line, knocking down clutch shots to put the game out of reach.
Huntington Prep featured a trio of strong scorers, led by Alex Starcher, who finished with 20 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 performance from the foul line. Mitchell Cox drained three three-pointers on his way to 17 points, while Mark Brown contributed 14 points for the Kings.
Pikeville, meanwhile, delivered a balanced offensive showing with three players in double figures:
- Jackson Keene (Sr.) – 25 points
- Carter Parson (Sr.) – 18 points (11 in the first half)
- Mark Bowling (So.) – 11 points
The Panthers also received key production off the bench, as Caden Justice and Nolan Hall each chipped in 8 points, narrowly missing double-digit efforts.
For his standout performance, including clutch scoring down the stretch, Senior Jackson Keene was named the Surplus Products Player of the Game. His 25-point night set the tone for a strong start to the Panthers’ preseason campaign.
photo submitted
