PAINTSVILLE - It didn’t take Pikeville long to get out in front of Phelps Tuesday night in the opening round of the 15th Region All “A” Classic at Paintsville Memorial Gym. The Panthers outscored Phelps 23-11 and remained in control throughout. The game ended with the Panthers out in front 74-58.

Matt Clevenger scored 18 points and Tim Honaker added 16 to lead Pikeville to the opening round win.

The Panthers led 32-21 at the half. Pikeville outscored Phelps 22-15 in the third quarter.

Daniel Harmon and Deven Adams aided the Pikeville effort with eight points apiece.

Eight different Pikeville players broke into the scoring column. Robert Boyd scored four points and Jordan Bell added three for the Panthers. Tyler Baker rounded out the Pikeville scoring with two points.

Phelps, which brought the 15th Region’s second-best record into Tuesday night’s tournament game, never got into much of an offensive rhythm.

Charlie Hunt led Phelps with a game-high 29 points. Ryan Dotson followed Hunt in the Phelps scoring column, scoring 12 points. Robert Gannon chipped in eight points for the Hornets.

The Panthers, thanks to the win, improved to 8-5. Phelps dropped to 13-4 after the loss.

Pikeville will play tournament host Paintsville tonight in one of two semifinal games. Tip-off for the Pikeville-Paintsville game is set for 6:30 p.m.

Pikeville 74, Phelps 58