(LEXINGTON, Ky.) — Matthew Langhi put the Marshall County Marshals on his back Thursday afternoon, and the Marshals made sure they didn’t waste the performance.
Langhi poured in a game-high 36 points on 12-of-26 shooting with 10 rebounds, willing Marshall County back from a five-point halftime deficit to knock off Boyd County 67-63 at Rupp Arena in the 2026 UK Healthcare/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16. The win moves the Marshals, now 25-8 on the season, into the next round of the state tournament.
It was a fight from the opening tip. Boyd County jumped out to a 20-17 lead after the first quarter and extended its advantage to 35-30 at the half, holding Marshall County to just 23.5-percent shooting in the second period. The Marshals went cold from three-point range in the first half, connecting on just one of nine attempts.
Marshall County came out of the locker room a different team. The Marshals shot 58.3 percent from the field in the third quarter and outscored Boyd County 19-16 to reclaim the lead. Still, the Lions refused to go quietly, and the game was tied at 51 entering the fourth quarter.
The final period belonged to the Marshals. Marshall County shot a sizzling 60 percent in the fourth quarter and outscored Boyd County 18-12 down the stretch, sealing the four-point victory. Langhi was at the center of nearly everything, finishing with 13 free throw attempts to go along with his efficient scoring.
Ryan Stokes chipped in 12 points and five assists in support, while Neyland Jezik added nine points. Carson Lovett was a force in the paint, pulling down 10 total rebounds.
For Boyd County, Jacob Spurlock was brilliant in defeat, finishing with 29 points on 9-of-20 shooting to go along with seven assists. The Lions end their season at 29-7.
Marshall County moves on to the Quarterfinals Friday at 7:30 Benton time against the winner of George Rogers Clark and Johnson Central. The Hendrickson Wealth & Retirement Pregame Show begins at 6:55 p.m. on WCBL Sports and online at marshallcountydaily.com.
