Clinging to a 19-13 halftime lead, Kennedy Lane exploded for 18 of her game-high 31 points in the second half to fuel the Lady Panthers past Meade County 54-30 and clinch their second consecutive 3rd Region Championship berth.
“It feels great to be back,” Lane said. “We are really determined to get back at it and prove something.”
Daviess County’s Head Coach Natalie Payne reiterated her star guards’ sentiments.
“I’m so proud of the girls’ fight and willingness to sacrifice for each other,” Payne said. “One night it is somebody else, the next night it is somebody else. Kennedy’s obviously been our mainstay and Riley offensively. They believe in their teammates and us as coaches. It is just an awesome feeling to be back here again.”
Lane found her shot early, scoring seven points in the opening quarter, to hand the Lady Panthers a slight 10-8 lead. In the second quarter, she continued to hurt Meade County from all over the court, hitting a three while getting fouled, knocking down the ensuing free throw, and then scoring a layup in the paint.
On the defensive end, Daviess County held Meade County to five second-quarter points – holding their top two leading scorers, Karla Thornsberry and Jocelyn Wevitt, scoreless.
Scoring only 10 points in the opening quarter, Daviess County scored 44 points the rest of the way. Payne attributed her team’s resurgence to adapting to what Meade County was throwing at them.
“I think we started getting out to transition and trying to get some easy baskets because they were in a junk. They were trying to slow us down,” Payne said. “There are other ways you can get creative against junk, and I think our kids bought into the gameplan. I think our defense once again was the key. If we can get stops, limit them to one shot, and get out and run, then that’s when were at our best.”
Lane continued to showcase her diverse scoring touch in the second half, hitting four threes but also fighting to the rim for a plethora of tough finishes. In addition to her 31 points, she finished the night with seven rebounds and two steals, while Riley Hayden added nine points, three rebounds, and one steal.
Meade County’s Thornberry and Ella Lucas both led the way with nine points, while Paige Harrison scored six points.
On Sunday at 3 pm in the 3rd Region Championship, Daviess County will square off with their 9th District rivals, Owensboro Catholic – their fourth matchup of the year.
“We need to be the stronger team,” Lane said. “We have to be aggressive and come out strong. Because once they get a lead, they will come out and keep that lead. So, we really have to be determined to focus on the little things like boxing out.”
