Despite having multiple injuries during the first half, the Apollo E-gals powered through adversity and took down 2nd Region power Webster County Monday in their season opener at AHS.
The E-gals edged the Trojans 66-61 in overtime as the second half was back-and-forth throughout the contest.
With 1:30 left in overtime, Apollo coach Natalie Payne watched her team take a four-point lead, which resulted in a sigh of relief knowing her team was that much closer to a big opening night win.
“We had called a timeout and talked about if we go up, we don’t necessarily need to try to be aggressive, just hang on to the ball, be ball strong,” Payne said. “When she drove in there, it was one of those moments where as a coach you’re like no, but when it went in, you’re like yes. I did feel a sigh of relief because we had finally put a little gap between us then we just needed to focus on getting stops.”
Henderson County’s dominance in the 2nd Region has been going on for years but right behind them is Webster County.
Raigan Price has wreaked havoc on region foes since junior high and transfer Brooklyn Carter added another dynamic to Brock Stone’s offense.
“We play a lot of man-to-man and we focused on wanting to stop Price, obviously,” she said. “We knew they had the transfer from Dawson Springs and we knew we had to contain her. I thought we did a decent job. We ended up playing a little bit more zone but it ended up helping us quote a bit with some kids reading off the ball and making some plays. We’ve got to be able to mix it up. I feel like mixing it up and changing our defenses was key.”
Payne said they had a tough task in the Trojans, even Amber Dunn and Addison Carter having injuries in the game. Carter returned while Dunn stayed on the sideline.
She said she was impressed with her team’s resolve in the win.
“It just goes to show you these kids are really pushing each other in practice and we’ve been telling them over and over ‘you never know when your number is going to be called,’” she said. “First game out, first game against a quality team and hats off to Havana John who pretty much played the whole game, who hasn’t gotten the most reps on the varsity. Shelby Beatty, she’s been out a month and a half.”
Senior Kassidy Daugherty led all scorers with 20 points, including 17 in the second half, while Amaya Curry added 16 points and play a big role down the stretch.
“Kassidy, she’s our senior leader and she took us on her back,” Payne said. “She led the way.”
Apollo now sets its sights on district rival Owensboro Catholic as they welcome the Lady Aces to Eagle Gym Friday night.
The E-gals went 1-2 against Catholic last season with its lone win coming during the regular season.
Payne said they’ve got to focus on practice to get ready for the Aces.
“We’ve got to get our bearings here and get some kids some reps in the half-court so they understand how to execute what we’re wanting to execute over the next three days because we’re not going to have some key people,” she said.
After the game, Daugherty was presented a basketball for joining the 1,000-point club for the E-gals. The senior guard hit the mark during Apollo’s loss to Muhlenberg County in last year’s 3rd Region Tournament.
Apollo 66, Webster County 61 (OT)
WC (0-1) 13 9 19 14 (5) 61
AHS (1-0) 17 10 18 10 (11) 66
WC: Raigan Price 18, Mary Rakestraw 15, Brooklyn Clark 12, Adeline mcDyer 9, Katelyn Cates 5, Sydney Shoulders 2
AHS: Kassidy Daugherty 20, Amaya Curry 16, Shelbie Beatty 10, Zoe Floyd 8, Havanah John 6, Brylee Rhodes 4, Addison Carter 2
2021 basketball coverage is presented in part by Rhoads & Rhoads Attorneys at Law.
