Layup after layup after layup, the Fairdale High School boys basketball team put on an offensive clinic Saturday.

The Bulldogs shot 72.7% and had all five starters score in double figures in an 87-69 rout of DeSales in the Sixth Region Tournament semifinals at Valley.

Fairdale hit 19 of 25 shots in the second half, all 19 makes coming at the rim.

“We shot a lot of layups,” Bulldogs coach John Hunt said. “We took what they gave us.”

Fairdale (28-6) reached the Sixth Region final for the first time since 2008 and will face Evangel Christian at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Valley.

The Bulldogs’ last regional title came in 2007.

“I’ve talked all year about knocking down doors and accomplishing things that haven’t been done in a long time,” Hunt said. “We’re in the regional final now, and our goal is to go to the state tournament. It’s hard to get kids to buy in sometimes, but I firmly believe we’re a top-10 to top-12 ballclub in the state.”

If the Bulldogs are as efficient on offense as they were Saturday, they’ll be a tough out the rest of the postseason.

Dalton Hicks led the way with 18 points and added six assists. Cam Croney (17 points, seven assists), Joe Hurt (14 points), Jacob Tucker (14 points) and Brandon Smith (13 points, six rebound) all posted big numbers.

Hicks said team chemistry is a big advantage for the Bulldogs.

“We’ve played together a long time, so you know when a dude is going to flare screen or curl or go back door,” he said. “We know each other’s moves, so that helps a whole lot.”

Logan Tharp scored 21 points and Will Gibson added 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists for DeSales (24-10).

The Colts played without top scorer Damone King (20.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg), who aggravated an ankle injury in Tuesday’s 71-50 quarterfinal victory over Fern Creek.

“He ran our offense and played defense on the other team’s best player,” DeSales coach Damien Anderson said. “We really missed him, and he’s obviously a huge part of our team. We felt we could still get it done, but we just fell a little short.”

Fairdale never trailed and led 50-36 late in the third quarter before DeSales rallied.

Gibson’s 3-point play pulled the Colts within 62-56 with 4:35 left, and Tharp’s 3-pointer made it 66-61 with 3:45 remaining.

But a Hurt layup sparked a 14-2 Fairdale run that put the game away. Tucker’s dunk gave the Bulldogs an 80-63 lead with 1:36 left.

“I figured offensively we’re good enough to keep up with them,” Hunt said. “Can we stay in front and guard them? … I thought our guys just played their hearts out tonight.”

FAIRDALE      21      15      16      35 - 87

DESALES       10      13      22      24 - 69

Fairdale (28-6) – Cam Croney 17, Damon Howard 2, Dalton Hicks 18, Joe Hurt 14, Jacob Tucker 14, Brandon Smith 13, Eli McCutcheon 9.

DeSales (24-10) – Prince Kahnplaye 13, Brady Cummins 9, DaVon Martin 2, Logan Tharp 21, Landon Thompson 7, Will Gibson 17.

Evangel Christian 73, Jeffersontown 45

The No. 9-ranked Eagles (28-6) got big games from their senior backcourt of Christian Doerr (29 points) and Kyran Tilley (19 points) to beat the Chargers (16-17) and advance to the regional final for the first time in school history.

“It means everything,” Doerr said, “but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t win the next game. One more. That’s all we have to do. I can’t wait.”

Evangel Christian jumped to a 10-0 lead and never looked back, shooting 49% (25 of 51) for the game.

The Eagles finished 8 for 12 from the 3-point line.

“We shot a lot of 3s early that we didn’t have to shoot,” Eagles coach Larry Miller said. “In the second half we started getting in the lane and kicking it out.”

Gabriel Cruz and Jayden Miles both scored nine points to lead J’town, which had won the past two Sixth Region crowns.

Chargers coach Richard Duncan credited to Doerr and Tilley.

“They controlled the game,” Duncan said. “You win games with your guards, and their guard play is tremendous. Those two put a lot of pressure on your defense.”

JEFFERSONTOWN          5      12      15     13 - 45

EVANGEL CHRISTIAN   13      22      15     23 - 73

Jeffersontown (16-17) – Damere Clark 4, Ron Westmoreland 2, Gabriel Cruz 9, Khalil Sheard 1, Jayden Miles 9, Jaylen Ellis 5, Cam McDaniels 8, George Harris 1, Lukus McDaniels 6.

Evangel Christian (28-6) – Johnny Djema 2, Christian Doerr 29, Brayden Trice 7, Kyran Tilley 19, Isaiah Chitapa 9, Christian Norris 3, Davier White 4.

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.

More high school hoops: Seneca stuns No. 7 St. X, will face Trinity for 7th Region title

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA basketball scores: Fairdale, Evangel Christian to play for title