NEWS REPORT

While their 66-58 win Thursday at home against Barbourville may not have been as pretty as coach John Wheat would have liked, he had a hard time complaining after his team improved to 3-0 on the young season.

“This was not one of our better showings, however it’s like I told the guys — sometimes a John Deere tractor can out run a Corvette in finding ways to get things done and tonight we were a John Deere. We were a step slow all night,” he said. “But I can’t say enough about how our guys are coming together from the trust aspect of being great teammates.”

Senior forward Trey King was one of four Jackets in double figures with 22 points. Jerimah Beck added 13, followed by Bryce Bowling with 11 and Cayden Grigsby with 10. The Jackets also got a lift off the bench from Jack Smith and his seven points.

“I have to give a huge shoutout to Jack Smith, who has struggled the first two games but bounced back tonight determined to show everyone his hard work is paying dividends. He hit a big 3 in the fourth to get the train rolling for us,” Wheat said. “The inside play of Trey King , Bryce Bowling and Peyton Turner is becoming a three-headed monster for us. Cayden Grigsby again did an excellent job of running the ball club and only committed two turnovers. Jeremah Beck had big night number three with 13 points, eight ebounds and seven assists. He’s starting to understand how to compete.”

Junior forward Jasper Hubbs led the Tigers with 19 points. Junior guard Riley Corey added 15 points.

The Jackets make their first road trip of the season Tuesday to Whitley County.

Scoring summary

Middlesboro (66) — Trey King 22, Jerimah Beck 13, Bryce Bowling 11, Cayden Grigsby 10, Jack Smith 7, Joseph Killion 3.

Barbourville (58) — Riley Corey 15, Dalton Alsip 2, Jaxon Collins 2, Jasper Hubbs 19, Ethan Fisher 13, Colby Peters 5, Jared King 2.