Published: March 10, 2009 12:29 am      

Lewis County makes first ever title game

MOREHEAD — Powerhouse Elliott County isn’t the only major story in the Boys 16th “Region Tournament.

Overlooked Lewis County continues to generate all kinds of thrills of its own.



The Lions weathered another comeback Monday night to reach the regional finals for the first time since Vanceburg High became Lewis County nearly a half-century ago.

Junior guard Terrence Smith hit a bomb to end the first half and also supplied crucial points at the end as the Lions turned away Bath County, 62-59, at Johnson Arena.

“I don’t even have words to describe what this means,’’ Smith said. “It’s amazing. We wanted to do something Lewis County has never done before.’’

Like Saturday, when Lewis County escaped a furious Fairview rally in regulation play to win in double overtime, the Lions coughed up a lead in the fourth quarter only to come through in the end.

Bath County overcame an eight-point deficit in the final last two minutes to go up 59-58 on a Zak Metz three-point play with 24 seconds remaining.

Lewis County didn’t blink, however.

Smith calmly sank two free throws with 12 seconds on the clock to send his team back in front. Bath County’s Aaron Roberts put up a spinning shot that caromed off the side of the backboard and into the hands of Smith, who was fouled with three seconds left and made both free throws.

The Lions broke into a celebration after Metz’s 3-point attempt from midcourt bounced off the rim at the buzzer. Metz scored most of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to spearhead Bath County’s charge.

“Every time he puts it up, it looks like it’s going in,’’ said Lewis County coach Joe Hampton. “Even that last one.’’

Hampton praised his players’ ability to stay poised in the most “unnerving’’ moments for their coach.

"We’ve had a lot of close games this year, none any tighter than the ones this week,’’ Hampton said. “It’s a tremendous win.’’

Smith and sophomore Koty Riley scored 21 points apiece as the Lions avenged a three-point loss on Senior Night in Vanceburg. Smith also had seven assists.

A foot injury from the 63nd District Tournament could do nothing to stop Smith’s huge night. He hit a spectacular shot just before halftime to give Lewis County a 32-29 lead going to the locker room.

Smith took two steps past midcourt and then elevated for a jump shot that ripped through the net.

“I don’t know where it came from,’’ Smith said. “It was just an adrenaline rush.’’

Bath County coach Jim Hicks called it a stunner.

“Any time somebody hits a 50-footer on you like he did, it really hurts,’’ Hicks said. “But I think what it did was light a fire under me and our kids.’’

Taylor Maze made two 3-pointers in the third quarter, each giving the Lions a three-point advantage, but Lewis County’s Frankie Witten and Jared Pruitt each answered with a trey of their own.

Witten connected again from long range early in the fourth quarter and the Lions went on to build an eight-point margin with just over two minutes to go. Riley, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, helped make it happen with three baskets inside.

“Koty stepped up offensively and defensively, and I thought he owned the boards with Chris (Thompson) in foul trouble,’’ Smith said. “He became a man tonight.’’

Thompson was limited to four points in 21 minutes before fouling out, but Riley pulled down 12 rebounds and shot 9-for-14 from the field.

“I’ve never had as big a win as this in my whole life,’’ Riley said. “Nobody thought we had it in us.’’

Lewis County (18-15) shot 52 percent and will meet Elliott County tonight at 7 for the championship.

Bath County lost for only the seventh time in 27 games this season.

“We came up short on the scoreboard tonight, but these kids are winners,’’ Hicks said. “It’s a tough group that played together and did everything a coach could ask. They won back-to-back district championships and this is the first time for Bath County to have two 20-win seasons in a row.’’

Maze finished with 13 points, followed by Joe Mabry and Scott Trusty with 10 apiece.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com.

or (606) 326-2671.