Noah Earlywine drops 28 and 31 to carry Colonels past Mason, Western Hills
The senior turned in a dominant two-game stretch, piling up 59 points, 22 rebounds, 7 steals, 8 assists, and 5 blocks to headline his stat line
IVAN K. RICE I doctorofsports@aol.com
PARIS, KY – Coach Allen Martin’s Bourbon County Colonels bounced back in a big way, knocking off 10th Region rival Mason County and then Western Hills from the powerful 11th Region on consecutive nights. The wins erased the sting of an early week 79-59 setback to Nicholas County.
“We’re just now getting everybody back from injuries, allowing guys to fill their natural positions instead of doing things they weren’t comfortable with,” said Martin.
EARLYWINE RESPONDED IN A BIG WAY – Colonel senior Noah Earlywine drives toward the basket as Nicholas County eighth grader Ty Simons applies defensive pressure. Earlywine was limited to just 4 points in the loss to the Blue Jackets, but he quickly rebounded with a dominant stretch, scoring a combined 59 points in Bourbon’s back-to-back wins over Mason County and Western Hills. ALISHA DUNN I Hype Sports Media
“Where its helped the most is on the defensive end. Our best and most physical defenders on the perimeter are just now getting back from injuries which is allowing for some depth. Our 3-pt shots (imo) fell, because those additions allowed our shooters to have their legs under them. We’ve been a bit conservative in our ball pressure and presses because we had to be cautious about energy and fouls from our guards.”
The Colonels traveled to Maysville on Thursday to face the Royals, who had beaten Bourbon six straight times. Senior Noah Earlywine made sure that streak ended, delivering a monster performance as the Colonels claimed their first win over Mason since 2021, 88-78. The 88 points were the most Bourbon has scored against the Royals since December 12, 1997, when they put up 89.
Earlywine stuffed the stat sheet with 28 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. Senior Nash Wilson followed with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks, while junior Mark Perraut added 19 points and 8 boards.
Bourbon jumped out early, leading 24-19 after one behind Wilson’s 13 points and Earlywine’s 7. The Colonels extended the margin by winning the second quarter 22-16, taking a 46-33 lead into halftime. Earlywine had 16 at the break, Wilson 13, and Perraut 10.
Mason County clawed back in the third, fueled by sophomore guard Jace Merz, who scored 13 in the frame. The Royals outscored Bourbon 21-20 to trim the deficit to 66-54 heading into the fourth.
But the Colonels’ “big three” held firm down the stretch. Earlywine, Wilson, and Perraut combined to keep Mason at arm’s length, securing the 10-point victory despite being outscored 45-42 in the second half.
Junior Quinton Rice chipped in 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, while sophomore Malachi Buchanan added 6 points. Senior Shayne Bowling scored 4, and Julius Gregory, a junior, rounded out the scoring with 1.
DECISION TIME – Colonel sophomore Malachi Buchanan pushes the ball up the floor while looking for an open teammate to deliver the pass. In Bourbon’s loss to Nicholas, Buchanan turned in a strong performance with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and four three-point baskets. ALISHA DUNN I Hype Sports Media
Mason was led by senior Ben Brookbank, who poured in 25 points and 8 rebounds. Merz finished with 19 points, and junior Riley Lykins added 10.
Bourbon County 78, Western Hills 75
Coach Geoff Cody’s Western Hills squad opened hot with four first-quarter threes to take a 22-18 lead over Bourbon County. The Colonels answered as Earlywine and Buchanan each knocked down two treys to keep things tight.
Wilson (10 points), Earlywine (6 points), and Buchanan’s third three of the half helped Bourbon rally to tie the game at 41-all by halftime. Sophomore Preston Clouse poured in 13 first-half points to keep the Wolverines even.
Bourbon grabbed a three-point edge after the third quarter behind Earlywine (8 points), Buchanan (fourth trey), and Rice (6 points). Western Hills’ sophomore Matt Dicken countered with 11 of his team-high 31 points in the frame.
LAYING IT UP – Bourbon County junior Quinton Rice elevates for an uncontested layup in front of Nicholas County senior Braxton Martin during last week’s matchup, which saw the Blue Jackets defeat the Colonels 79-59. Martin, despite this missed stop, went on to finish with a game-high 26 points. ALISHA DUNN I Hype Sports Media
The final quarter was a back-and-forth battle, but Bourbon leaned on Earlywine (11 points) in the clutch to secure the three-point victory.
Earlywine capped his brilliant night with a game-high 31 points, knocking down five three-pointers while also collecting 11 rebounds, handing out 5 assists, and recording 3 steals to complete a dominant stat line. Wilson added 12 points and pulled down 8 rebounds, while Buchanan matched him with 12 points of his own. Rice contributed 10 points and 8 assists, and Perraut finished with 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Senior Myles Heilig chipped in 3 points, Bowling added 2, and Gregory rounded out the scoring with 1.
For Western Hills, Dicken led with 31, Clouse totaled 15, and senior Calen Higgins chipped in 12.
“This week, we will have two really good test at MoCo and at home against Campbell County. Two perennial contenders in our region,” said Martin. “We will find out if we belong in that conversation. Win or lose, we want to leave those games knowing the result wasn’t for lack of heart and effort. That’s what I’m looking for right now as a coach.”
The coach went on to say that he feels like his team is starting to buy in on roles they’ve e set, and the standard they want to have with intensity and energy every play. “In our two losses, we had some guys pacing themselves, giving half effort, or playing a bit selfish and the score showed. When we share the ball and play with high energy, we have the pieces to compete with anyone.”
Bourbon County will play Montgomery County in Mt. Sterling on Tuesday night and will return back to Russ Day Gymnasium Friday night to face Campbell County.
