Kentucky H.S. Hoops Game Goes 6 OTs

A mid-January boys’ basketball game between Estill County and Bourbon County, neither of which has a winning record, wouldn’t figure to have much appeal. But that’s the charm of high school hoops: you never know when something weird, wild or wonderful is going to happen on the court.

Monday night in Irvine, Estill County outlasted Bourbon County 102-99 in six overtimes, the longest game in the state in 20 years.

The Engineers’ 102 points (half of which came in the overtimes) set a school record. Cade Berryman led the way with 40 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, and he played all 56 minutes of the marathon. “He was phenomenal,” Coach Jon Bentley said. “Not many kids can withstand that kind of fatigue and still have enough motor at the end.” After making one of two foul shots in regulation, Berryman hit 19 of 29 from the line in the extra periods.

Bourbon County’s Chris Gillispie hit six three-pointers and had 51 points (believed to be a school record, 29 coming in overtimes). Gillispie was one of six Colonels to foul out. Estill County had four foul out. “It was crazy,” Bourbon County Coach Jay Bordas said. “We ran out of water, dry-erase marker, chewing gum, and I almost ran out of players.”

MMI and St. Patrick set a state record with a nine-OT game in 1966. There have been two seven-OT thrillers. The last six-OT affair was between Corbin and Cumberland in 1990.