56th DISTRICT BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP

Estill County won their first 56th district championship since 2022 with a 60-55 victory over Powell County Thursday in Irvine. The teams had played three times during the season with Estill County winning a one point decision in the 2A  tournament and Powell County winning 50-45 and 60-51 during the season district games. The Engineers, however, were able to win this all important fourth contest to claim the dostrict title, their 10th championship since the school joined the district in the 2005-06 season. 

Engineer senior guard Casey Chaney exploded in the first half with 24 of his team’s 28 halftime points and Estill County held a 28-20 lead at halftime intermission. For their part Powell County kept the game within reach and kept making runs on Estill County. They actually took a 32-30 lead in the third quarter but it was short lived as Estill County senior Levi Beckler connected on three baskets from behind the arc to propel his team back into a lead that they never relinquished.

Powell County senior Bryson Edwards scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half to keep his team close, and senior Zeke Crowe made a pair of 3s to help the cause. The Pirates were down 10 with less than one minute to play in the game but were able to cut the lead to 3 with seconds remaining. Estill County made two free throws with a few seconds left and the Engineers won by 5 points. Both teams will represent the 56th district in the 14th regional tournament next week at Knott County Central. 

Awards were given following the game. Those selected for the All Tournament team were Jarred Napier and Keegan Herald of Owsley County, Corey Flinchum and Landyn Shelton of Lee County, Bryson Edwards, Tucker Ramsey and Zeke Creech of Powell County, and Casey Chaney, Levi Beckler, Jax Niece and Rylan Brown of Estill County. 

The Billy Jay Hearne Award for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player went to Estill County’s  Casey Chaney. The Brandon Coldiron Award for Best Defensive Player was Estill County’s Rylan Brown. The Bobby Bowling Sixth Man Award went to Powell County’s Colton Cook. 

The KAPOS cheer award winner was Powell County and the runner-up was Owsley County. 

For those unable to attend the tournament Bluegrass Sports Nation (BSN) will carry all the games from Knott County Central.

Estill County (60)

Casey Chaney 33, Levi Beckler 12, Jax Niece 10, Rylan Brown 3, Ashton Rose 2

Powell County (55)

Bryson Edwards 21, Zeke Crowe 16, Tucker Ramsey 11, Riley Faulkner 5, Jackson Tipton 2