The Henderson County Colonels added another impressive win to their résumé Friday night, knocking off Louisville Trinity 60-46 at Colonel Gym.
Henderson County improved to 21-4 on the season, notching its fourth consecutive 20-win campaign and continuing to build momentum with just two regular-season games remaining before district play.
Trinity entered at 11-11, but the record did not reflect the challenge. The Shamrocks have played one of the toughest schedules in the state and own an RPI that would rank top-3 in the Second Region, just behind Lyon County.
The Colonels had not beaten Trinity since Dec. 29, 2014, when David Simmons’ squad knocked off the state’s top-ranked team at the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic. But Friday night, Henderson controlled the game from the tipoff.
Travis Little set the tone with a steal and layup on Trinity’s opening possession. HCHS forced three turnovers in the Shamrocks’ first four trips down the floor and quickly established control.
Much of that defensive focus centered on Trinity’s 6-foot-5 guard Jayden Johnson, a four-star prospect who recently transferred back home from Wasatch Academy (Utah). The Cols’ Zayden Martin drew the primary assignment, and then Malaikye Taylor would assist in that undertaking.
Taylor made his impact felt early. He forced a push-off foul on Johnson in the first quarter, then drew a charge that sent the Shamrocks’ leading scorer to the bench with his second foul. In the second quarter, Taylor drew Johnson’s third foul, again forcing him to sit.
“He was huge tonight, that’s who he is,” head coach Tyler Smithhart said of Taylor. “He can impact the game in so many ways without even scoring a point. The toughness, the heart, the physicality, his presence was fantastic tonight.”
While the defense held Trinity, the Colonels’ guards controlled the offense. Xavion Johnson consistently attacked downhill, finishing with 15 points and getting to the free-throw line in key moments. Amare Stewart added 17 points, including a buzzer-beating three at the end of the first quarter that pushed the Colonels early lead to 14-4.
“Our dudes showed up tonight,” Smithhart said. “That’s a really good, physical team. Point guard play from X (Johnson) was great. Amare made big shot after big shot. Execution was really good.”
Trinity battled back late in the second quarter behind Gilvin, who led the Shamrocks with 16 points. Henderson led 24-19 at halftime after allowing a 5-0 run to close the half.
The third quarter proved decisive for the Colonels.
Martin, who sat out the previous game with a groin injury, found his rhythm quickly after the break. He scored seven straight points, converting a layup, a floater, and an and-one opportunity to extend the Colonels’ lead into double digits.
“I sat out the last game with a groin injury,” Martin said. “I just came in focused on getting my leg going, getting stops, rebounding and letting the offense do what they do.”
Stewart continued to answer every Trinity push with tough shot-making, while Xavion Johnson added finishes at the rim and free throws in transition. By the end of the third quarter, Henderson led 44-30.
“We never got sped up,” Smithhart said. “We were precise with our execution, and then defensively, we matched their physicality.”
Trinity tried to make one final push in the fourth quarter, cutting into the lead with transition baskets and forcing a few turnovers. The Rocks’ Jayden Johnson managed a late three-point play and a corner three, but Henderson responded each time.
Martin attacked the rim for another and-one opportunity, and Stewart buried a three-pointer midway through the quarter to stretch the lead back to 13. From there, the Colonels slowed the pace and converted free throws to seal the win.
Martin finished with a game-high 18 points. Stewart added 17, and Xavion Johnson contributed 15. Little scored five, Jarren Byrum had three, Braden Williams added two, and Jahmarion Isabel chipped in one.
On the defensive end, Henderson’s game plan centered on keeping Trinity’s star out of his rhythm. Notably, Jayden Johnson was held to 12 points on 40% shooting.
“We weren’t going to let their main player get to his spots,” Martin said. “We had to get him off his spots and take him out of the game. We knew we would win that way.”
Henderson will close out the regular season with two final tune-ups before the district tournament begins. The Colonels return to action Monday at home against Muhlenberg County.
Here’s a roundup of the Cols’ recent games:
Colonels edge Hopkins County Central on the road, 49-46 (Feb. 9)
Xavion Johnson poured in 16 points to lead Henderson County to a hard-fought 49-46 road win over Hopkins County Central. Braden Williams added 12 points, while Amare Stewart chipped in 10. Malaikye Taylor contributed seven as the Colonels held off a late push to secure the tight victory.
Colonels handle Hopkinsville at home, 61-46 (Feb. 10)
Balanced scoring lifted Henderson County to a 61-46 home win over Hopkinsville. Xavion Johnson and Amare Stewart paced the Colonels with 10 points apiece. Malaikye Taylor added nine, Zayden Martin finished with seven, and Travis Little, Zephaniah Thomas and Braden Williams each scored six in the region triumph.
Colonels crush Caldwell County on the road, 87-57 (Feb. 12)
Amare Stewart erupted for 24 points, including four three-pointers, as Henderson County rolled to an 87-57 road victory over Caldwell County. Xavion Johnson followed with 12 points, Zephaniah Thomas added 11 and Malaikye Taylor scored nine in the dominant performance.
