On Tuesday, the Paducah Tilghman boys basketball team defeated the McCracken County Mustangs to win their first District 2 title since 2016. They defeated the Mustangs 50-47 and were led in scoring by junior Jayvion Powell with 17 points and junior Mian Shaw with 16 points. This win ended a McCracken County win streak of 51 games in District 2. The energy in the gym at St. Mary was off the charts. Both teams’ cheering sections were full, along with their overflowing student sections as the teams took two the court.

The game started slow for both teams with the first quarter ending 10-9, with Tilghman up just one. The intensity and the scoring began to pick up in the second quarter, however, and Tilghman took a 25-22 lead into the locker room. They continued to play well starting the second half and maintained a marginal lead through the third quarter, up 35-31 heading into the final quarter. With excellent defense and timely scoring, Tilghman was able to maintain their led through the final quarter, coming out victorious by three points.

The senior leadership of Tilghman helped them to weather McCracken’s runs and to take care of the ball. Following the final whistle was a celebration like no other, with the Tilghman student section rushes the floor, enveloping the players and enjoying the win on the floor with their team. Tilghman junior Mian Shaw was named the District 2 Tournament MVPas well as being named to the All District Team along with Junior Jayvion Powell, senior Tragen Arthur, and senior Landon Fitzgerald.

Up next on the schedule is the Region 1 Tournament hosted by Murray State University. The Blue Tornado will play the Carlisle County Comets on Tuesday, March 1, at 7:30 pm.