The Adair County Indians saw their run in the H&W Dukes Kentucky 2A State Championship come to an end in the first round with a loss to Bell County, but the season is far from finished for an Indians squad with bigger goals still in sight.
Adair County finished the game with 46 points, shooting 34.0 percent from the field (16-of-47) and 35.3 percent from three-point range. The Indians battled throughout the contest but struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm against a tough Bell County defense. Adair County also went 8-of-13 from the free-throw line and pulled down 19 rebounds in the loss.
Junior Matthew MeJean led the Indians in scoring with 8 points, knocking down all four of his field-goal attempts in an efficient performance. Seniors Landon Blakey and Tylin George each added 7 points, with George also leading the team on the glass with 5 rebounds. Blakey contributed in multiple areas, pulling down 3 rebounds and going 3-of-5 from the free-throw line.
Sophomore John Shehan and junior Samuel Feese chipped in 6 points apiece, with Feese connecting on two three-pointers. Freshman Truk Jennings added 5 points, including a perfect 3-of-3 performance at the free-throw line, while senior Dawson Gilbert finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds.
From beyond the arc, Adair County hit six three-pointers, with Feese, George, Jackson Dean, Gilbert, and Shehan all contributing from long range. Despite the shooting effort, Bell County’s balance and execution proved to be the difference in the opening-round matchup.
While the outcome was not what the Indians had hoped for at the 2A State Championship, the experience gained on the state stage could pay dividends down the stretch. With district and region tournament play ahead, Adair County now turns its focus toward the postseason path that could lead to another trip to Rupp Arena. The Indians’ goals remain intact, and their journey is far from over.