After storming out of the gates for an early advantage, the Owensboro girls’ basketball team was able to withstand a late run by Trinity to pick up a 49-44 win at home Friday night.
Lyric Lawrence was the main threat for the Lady Devils (2-1), scoring a game-high 17 points. For the visiting Lady Raiders (1-1), the trio of Cassidy Morris, Josie Aull and Morgan Kinsey each finished with 13 points.
Owensboro head coach Jansen Locher was pleased with the result against a familiar face in first-year head coach Emily Hernandez of Trinity. Hernandez previously served as head coach at Owensboro for nearly a decade from 2006-2014.
“At this point in the season, you will take a win any way you can get one,” Locher said. “It was nice to come back on short notice and get a win after laying an egg last night. In coach Hernandez’s homecoming, I knew she wanted this game pretty bad, so I’m proud of our girls for stepping up and coming away with a win.”
Though the Lady Devils were able to open up a 15-point lead in the third quarter, Trinity fought back in the fourth to pull within four points on two separate occasions. Aull scored 11 of her points in the final period, igniting the comeback attempt.
For Owensboro, eighth-grader A’Lyrica Hughes came up with two big steals that turned into layups down the stretch as the lead began to slip.
“A’Lyrica did a great job tonight, and we are going to go as far as she can take us this year,” Locher said. “Not only is she a skilled scorer, but she distributes the ball with the best of them as well. Lyric Lawrence plays with a lot of energy, too, and the two play well together.”
Hernandez was proud of her players’ effort, commenting on the great learning experience a close loss would prove to be for her young team.
“I was throwing seventh-graders out there at the end, trying to get them to run our defense,” Hernandez said. “They did a good job with what I asked of them, and it was a fun game to be a part of. We worked hard and never quit, even down by 15. The players are still learning about me, and I am still learning about them.”
Morris — a sophomore at Trinity who has already surpassed 1,000 points in her varsity career — was the main point of focus for the Owensboro defense. Locher said Owensboro’s efforts to thwart Morris’ offensive prowess seemed to be the difference in the game.
“I know Morris is young, but she has a lot of varsity experience,” Locher said. “We put a lot of young girls on her who have never had to guard that type of player before, and they did a good job of keeping her in check tonight. It feels great to come away with a win.”
Trinity will be back in action Saturday as they host to University Heights at 12:30 p.m. Owensboro will return to action Tuesday night when they host Muhlenberg County at 7 p.m.
BOX SCORE
THS 7-16-2-19–44
OHS 15-12-12-10–49
Trinity (44): Cassidy Morris 13, Josie Aull 13, Morgan Kinsey 13, Katherine Hibbit 2, Allie Graham 2, Kaitlyn Wilson 1
Owensboro (49): Lyric Lawrence 17, Tamia Smith 8, A’Lyrica Hughes 6, Chandler Worth 6, Kaylyn Sowders 4, Krystell Pappas 3, Brooklyn Williams 3, Nia Gonzo 2
