King of the Bluegrass: Ian Higdon powers North Oldham past Sagemont to advance to semis

While sporting a swollen cut under his right eye, Ian Higdon said he felt North Oldham's toughness was underappreciated this season.

"In the past, North Oldham's had the reputation of not being the toughest," Hidgon said. "They say we're a shooting team, but we're changing that stereotype."

Higdon and the Mustangs proved their toughness Sunday by taking down Sagemont (Fla.) 73-69 in the Chad Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass Holiday Classic quarterfinals at Fairdale High School. The Mustangs trailed by as much as 12 points in the first quarter, but Higdon (16 points, 20 rebounds) and Jack Scales (26 points, five rebounds) led North Oldham on a second-half rally to secure its second straight win.

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With the victory, the Mustangs (7-3) advanced to Monday's semifinals to face the winner of No. 2 Warren Central and No. 13 Manual at 9 p.m. The Mustangs defeated the Crimsons on opening night and don't fear a potential matchup with the reigning 14th Region champs.

"We've played all kinds of teams already," North Oldham coach David Levitch said. "Teams in our region, top teams from Ohio, Seventh Region teams, and now this Florida team — so we've always played a tough schedule."

North Oldham struggled early with Sagemont's size. Led by 6-foot-9 junior Kenneth Lopez, the Lions' length kept the Mustangs' offense out of rhythm. North Oldham shot 36% (9 of 25) from the field, compared to the Lions' 46.4% (11 of 17) in the first half.

Sagemont was forced to manage without Lopez and starting guard Cameron Gibson (13 points) in the second half. With both guys out with lower leg injuries, North Oldham could control the paint.

Hidgdon's 20 rebounds played a huge role in the Mustangs' 11-6 advantage in second-chance points. North Oldham dominated on the glass 40-28. With North Oldham taking care of business in the paint, the Mustangs were able to expand their game past the 3-point line.

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In the second half, North Oldham shot 50% from 3-point range. Senior guard Jack Scales shot 6 for 11 as North Oldham took control of the game in the third quarter with an 11-2 run.

The Mustangs took a four-point lead into the fourth quarter and battled back and forth throughout the final stanza to hold on for the win. But after back-to-back razor thin wins, Higdon believes the Mustangs need to start stronger and finish stronger to put teams away.

"When we started the game we were down 14-4 and we came back," Higdon said. "If we start fast I don't believe that there's a team that can beat us."

North Oldham 9 16 19 26 73

Sagemont 16 19 11 26 69

North Oldham: Dallas Roberts 10, Ian Higdon 16, Jack Scales 26, Luke Anderson 11, Miles Gay 2, Jack Fischer 2, Grant Neal 6

Sagemont : Maxx Martinez 11, Ashton Smith 15, Cameron Gibson 13, Tynan Becker 5, Danielius Kasparas 5, Devontae Jean 6, Dominic Issa 6, Kenneth Lopez 2

Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: King of the Bluegrass Ian Higdon, Jack Scales lead North Oldham to win