For the Waggener High School boys basketball program, the 71st time was the charm against Ballard.

J.J. Kalakon scored 28 points to lead the host Wildcats to an 80-74 victory over Ballard, marking the Wildcats’ first-ever victory over the Bruins.

Ballard began playing basketball during the 1970-71 season and had posted a 70-0 record against Waggener entering Tuesday’s contest.

Waggener coach Bryan O’Neill, a 2000 Ballard graduate, said he was proud of his team but didn’t want the victory to define his squad this season as the Wildcats improved to 4-0.

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O’Neill referenced a book — Joshua Medcalf’s “Pound the Stone” — he had his players read during the preseason.

“Every day we’re going to work, pounding the stone and getting better,” O’Neill said. “We don’t talk about how good we are or the history. We talk about today and going to work.”

Kalakon was one of four Wildcats to score in double figures, joining Nick Brewer (13 points), Jocobi Hendricks (12) and Kevion Hudson (11).

Lewis Richards scored 19 points and Walter Johnson added 17 for Ballard (1-2), which was No. 4 in the state in the Courier Journal’s preseason poll of coaches.

Waggener led 41-32 at halftime before Ballard pulled within 58-57 after three quarters.

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“Ballard got going a little bit, but we weathered the storm,” O’Neill said. “They took the lead by one in the fourth quarter, but we took it right back. Those last three minutes we pounded the stone and did what we had to do to get the win.”

O’Neill said his team’s blue-collar attitude was evident after the game.

“Kalakon had 28 points tonight, and he’s the last guy in the locker room sweeping the floor,” O’Neill said. “That’s how important doing the little things are and doing the work.”

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jasonf.