Perry County Central upsets Hazard 59-47 to win 54th District boys title

Daulton Combs finished with a team-high 15 points and Perry County Central delivered the decisive third-quarter surge that toppled Hazard 59-47 to win the 54th District boys championship at a district site in Hazard on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. The victory snapped an 11-game losing streak to Hazard and handed the Commodores the district crown.

The game opened tight, with Perry County Central leading deep into the first quarter before Hazard took a 16-15 edge at the end of the period. “The first quarter would see tight action, with Perry Co. Central leading deep into the frame. Hazard would ultimately lead by one, though, going into the second period, 16-15.”

Early in the second quarter the score reached 20-20, then Hazard ripped off a 10-0 run to seize momentum. Perry County Central answered with a 7-0 spurt to cut the deficit to three at halftime, with Hazard holding a 30-27 lead. “After the game was tied at 20-20 at one point early in the second quarter, the Bulldogs went on a 10-0 run. The Commodores would answer that with a 7-0 spurt of their own to trim Hazard’s deficit to three by halftime, 30-27.”

The third quarter proved decisive for Shannon Hoskins’ crew, which “was able to swing the tide of the game in the third period.” Perry County Central opened the second half with a 16-2 burst and led 43-32 with just under two minutes remaining in the quarter. Hazard trimmed the margin to 45-39 heading into the fourth, but could not fully erase the deficit.

In the fourth period the Commodores “was able to withstand any kind of rally the Bulldogs tried to put forth in the last quarter before eventually putting the game away with stops and free throws.” Hazard’s Seth Caudill paced his team with a game-high 21 points, but the Bulldogs fell short as Perry County Central closed the game on defensive stops and late free throws to secure the 59-47 final.

Tournament honors reflected the Commodores’ balanced effort, with Daulton Combs named the 54th District Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. “Daulton Combs was named the 54th District Tournament’s Most Valuable Player, finishing with a team-high 15 points against Hazard.” The win improved Perry County Central to 17-12 on the season, while Hazard fell to 22-10. “The Commodores head into the regional tournament with a 17-12 record.” “Hazard fell to 22-10 on the season.”

Both teams will learn their regional opening-round opponents in a drawing to be held before the 14th Region bracket is finalized. “Both teams will figure out who they face in the opening round of the tournament following a drawing.”

The boys final followed the 54th District girls championship on Wednesday, Feb. 25, when Hazard’s girls defeated Perry County Central 52-29 at Memorial Gym; Maddi Frohnapfel scored a game-high 16 and Brooklyn Cornett had 12 for Perry County Central. “Hazard won the 2025-26 54th District girls' basketball championship at Memorial Gym on Wednesday, Feb. 25.”