Bulldogs Brush Casey Aside On Senior Night
The Harrodsburg Herald/Samuel Warren
Casey Dodson delivered a pass to the corner during Burgin’s 49-36 win over Casey County on senior night, Monday, Feb. 17.
Samuel Warren
Herald Staff
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The Burgin Bulldogs celebrated their boys basketball, cheerleading and band class of 2025 graduates on Monday, Feb. 17, before the Bulldogs basketball game against the Casey County Rebels (3-23). The Bulldog basketball program graduates two seniors, JT Boswell and Waylin Hamp.
“We can count on him coming every night with the effort on both ends,” Burgin Coach Todd Claunch said of Boswell. “His growth in when to take it and when to move it on in the last four games has been amazing. He is a vital part to the team on both ends of the court and his motor will be missed next season.” Boswell was joined by first year basketball player Hamp. A gifted athlete with size and strength would have gone a long way in this year’s Bulldog squad according to Claunch.
“It seemed that just as things were really beginning to click for him he ended up injured. No doubt with him, we would have added a couple of other wins here late in the season,” Claunch said.
The Bulldogs were raring to go and Landon Sexton set the tone with his signature turnaround jumper, this time using the backboard for the game’s first points. Senior JT Boswell kept things rolling, receiving the ball in the corner before driving in front of the rim and rising above his defender for two. Seconds later Boswell stepped into a three at the top of the key and drained the Bulldogs first long range attempt. Freshman guard Hudson Taylor was blind-sided by a high screen, but took advantage of the situation, stripping a Rebel player from the floor, and drawing a foul on the other end, making one. The Rebels couldn’t keep up with Boswell as he ran the baseline, and Dodson found the senior for a wide open layup. Casey County hit a three just before the buzzer, but Burgin led 13-8 at the end of one quarter.
Jase Thompson received a pass on the shoulder and the Rebel defense paid him no attention, so he pulled up and nailed his first trey of the season. Moments later, Dodson connected with Sexton on an inbounds pass and the junior drained a corner three. Sexton returned the favor and laid the ball off to a driving Dodson, who moved seamlessly to the basket for a layup. One possession later Sexton dribbled up the court and drove straight through the Casey defense for another layup. Junior Brayden Pittman ended the first half with a corner three on assist from Dodson.
The second half was a different story offensively for the Bulldogs, but the defensive pressure never stopped. The pace of the game slowed to a crawl and both teams struggled with fouls, but despite only scoring six points in the third quarter, Burgin still led after three, 38-27.
“I have been proud of our effort all season on both ends of the court. Last night was just a continuation of that effort. Our decisions in the second half is what we have been focusing on, and except for two or three occasions late in the game, we did a great job at that also,” said Claunch.
The defensive intensity never faltered for the Bulldogs, and Taylor’s press forced an over the back call on Casey’s first possession of the final quarter. The offensive struggles continued, and with 6:14 remaining Casey County finally came within nine points, prompting a timeout from the Rebel bench. Fittingly it was the senior, Boswell, who sealed the deal with a drive to the rim and a tough finish while being fouled. Soon after Boswell completed a three-point play, Dodson delivered a full-court inbounds pass to a wide open Taylor, who finished off the glass for two of his 10 points. In the end, the Bulldogs secured their sixth win of the season on senior night, 49-36.
The Bulldogs will play their final regular season game on Friday, Feb. 21, when Thomas Nelson travels to Jack Coleman Sr. Gymnasium. The 46th District Tournament play will begin next week. Burgin will play Trinity Christian in the opening round of the tournament. The Bulldogs nearly knocked off the Titans in an early season home matchup that ended 52-47 in Trinity’s favor.
