In its first state tournament game in 26 years, Henderson County came out on the wrong side of a defensive battle losing to the Cooper Jaguars 50-35 in the first round of the Sweet 16, bringing their impressive season to a close.
The Colonels committed 16 turnovers and were held without a three point basket (0-7) in the game. They did not score their first point until the 1:51 mark of the first quarter. Lacon McKinney was the only double-digit scorer, finishing with 11 points and five rebounds. Elijah Suggs added eight points and seven rebounds. Xavion Johnson contributed nine points and two assists.
With the loss, Henderson County finished the season with a 25-7 record.
“Credit to Cooper. They were very athletic and a very, very great defensive team,” said senior Cooper Davenport of the Jaguars. “We can’t hang our hat on that one game though. It doesn’t define me or the team as a whole with the season that we had, making history.”
History was made as the Colonels won the 6th District title and their first 2nd Region title since 1999. Davenport finished his career as the 5th leading scorer all-time in the history of the school.
Second Region Coach of the Year Tyler Smithhart talked about how special this season was and the importance it will play to the program’s future.
“We had a fantastic coaching staff and a great group of senior leaders,” Smithart said. “We made a lot of great memories. The next generation of Colonel basketball players has seen that we can win the 2nd Region and get to Rupp Arena.”
Henderson County will have to regroup next season as it will graduate seven seniors: Davenport, McKinney, Suggs, Dwaine Moss, Trajdon Davis, Cole Branson and Colton Thompson.
Davenport will continue his basketball career at Samford University.
McKinney has committed to the University of Evansville Track and Field Program.
Davis will play football at Lindsey Wilson College.
According to Smithhart, Suggs has garnered basketball interest from schools in the region as well.
“I’m honored to be a part of a group of seniors like this. To make it back to Rupp Arena for the first time in 26 years is evidence enough of how special a group this 2025 class was,” Smithhart said.
