[Stardust]

RICHMOND — Upset? What upset?

Unrated Woodford County stunned No. 5 Madison Central 60-55 in the boys' 11th Region semifinals Saturday afternoon in EKU's McBrayer Arena, but it wasn't a shocking result to the winners.

"We don't feel it was an upset," Yellowjackets senior David Greenwell said matter-of-factly. "Everybody else might view it that way, but we felt we were the better team."

Woodford County led most of the game, thanks in large part to 6-foot-7 senior Jay Johnson's 26 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.

The Jackets (22-12), whose only region title was in 1986, advance to Tuesday night's finals against No. 3 Scott County (30-4). The Cardinals routed Franklin County 73-39 in Saturday's other semifinal.

"We wanted to make sure that we sent a message," Scott County's Tamron Manning said. "We know we're the best team in the region and just wanted to play like it."

Woodford County Coach Scott Hundley will be going against his former team and coach in the title game. Hundley was Mr. Basketball in his senior year at Scott County under Billy Hicks.

Woodford Co. 60, Madison Central 55: Johnson, who sat out the first half of the season recovering from knee surgery, has been regaining his old form the last few weeks. He looked robust in taking it to Madison Central.

"I felt like I had a chip on my shoulder, and I had something to prove," he said.

He proved it quickly, scoring his team's first 11 points to boost Woodford County to an early lead. The Jackets were ahead 26-21 at halftime.

"Jay's starting to really get better, he's starting to feel it," Coach Scott Hundley said. "The guards did a great job getting him the ball in good spots."

Madison Central, plagued by poor shooting all afternoon, scratched back to lead 31-29. The last time the Indians were in front was at 38-36 early in the fourth quarter.

That's when Greenwell came alive for Woodford County. After scoring only three points (all free throws) in the first half, he had 14 points in the fourth quarter.

His first field goal — a three-pointer — put the Jackets ahead to stay at 39-38.

"David has that spurtability," Hundley said. "But I always tell him he doesn't wake up until halftime."

Woodford County's veterans never eased off down the stretch. They kept attacking the basket and the Jackets maintained at least a two-possession lead the last 3:40.

"These seniors are a special, special group," Hundley said.

Madison Central junior Dominique Hawkins had 23 points and eight rebounds. John O'Bryan had 12 points as the Indians finished the season 31-2.

After the loss, Coach Allen Feldhaus Jr., stayed in the locker room talking to his team for more than 30 minutes.

Scott Co. 73, Franklin Co. 39: No surprise in the second semifinal. Any doubts about the outcome were erased when Scott County scored the first 19 points of the second half to open a 58-23 lead. Hicks pulled his starters and they sat out the last 10 minutes of the game.

"That was great because you don't risk injury," Hicks said. "That worked out really good."

Senior stars Manning and Isaiah Ivey led the winners. Manning had 20 points in just 19 minutes. Ivey had 10 points and seven rebounds. Quin Richardson added eight points and was 2-for-2 on three-pointers, helping the Cards to a 7-for-13 long-range shooting performance.

Hicks said his players remember last year when they lost in the first round of the region to Lexington Catholic.

"That was a bitter taste for our guys, so they're playing with something to prove down here."

Franklin County, which beat Madison Southern on Thursday for its first region victory in 13 years, fell behind Scott County 19-9 and never got back into contention.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/03/03/20941...rylink=cpy