The Owensboro Catholic Lady Aces are off to their best start since Michael Robertson took over the program as they took down Meade County Tuesday to improve to 5-0 on the year.
The 55-44 win over the Lady Waves gives Catholic its best start since the Aces started 5-0 in 2011-12 under Ray Zuberer as they went on to finish 18-15 that season.
It took both teams some time to find their offense in the first half but the Lady Aces held a 23-15 lead at the break after holding the Lady Waves to just three points in the second quarter.
Meade County’s Peyton Bradley scored nine of her 20 points in the third quarter to bring the Waves back into the game.
Robertson said Camille Conkright did a great job on Bradley throughout the game.
“I believe she had one point but I know (Peyton) Bradley had 20. That girl, she knew where she was almost all night. She hit some tough shots, you’ve got to hand it to her, she’s going to be a tough player,” he said. “Camille, I thought did an excellent job on her. She doesn’t have to score, that’s what I need out of her, the effort.”
The Lady Aces led 37-36 heading to the fourth before they put their foot on the gas and put the game way in the final few minutes.
Rachel Traylor led Catholic in scoring with 13 points off of the bench while Catherine Head also finished in double digits with 12 points.
“Rachel Traylor came in and gave us some big baskets, she ended up being our leading scorer,” Robertson said. “Ally Maggard played big. Kinsley Goetz came in and played big there in the fourth quarter. Brooke Hamilton, she’s been in quarantine … Just fortunate for her to be back out there. She hit a big 3-pointer. She did some good things for us.”
Catholic was down four players Tuesday and only dressed eight but all eight contributed and scored in the victory.
Robertson said it was another team win for them.
“I’m just pleased with the effort we’re getting from all these girls,” he said. “As long as we get the effort, we’re going to keep playing them. I think we were still fresh at the end. I was surprised, I think we were the fresher team at the end but they’re playing hard. I’m happy for that. We’ll move on to the next one and hopefully play Breck on Friday and see what we can do.”
Tuesday was the first home game for the Lady Aces this season and while the season is in full swing for most teams, it’s still early in Catholic’s season after missing time because of quarantine.
“We might be 22 days into the season but we’re only on week two for us,” Robertson said. “I’m happy with where we are, we’ve got to keep getting better. The biggest thing is, me as a coach and us as a staff, we’ve got to get a rotation. We’ll get there and then quarantines don’t help you and you lose out on finding that rotation but these girls dug deep.”
The Aces play Friday against Breckinridge County at home as they’re now in the middle of a five-game homestand at the Owensboro Sportscenter.
Owensboro Catholic 55, Meade County 44
MC (3-3) 12 3 21 8–44
OC (4-0) 12 11 14 18–55
MC: Hardesty 2, Bradley 20, Griffin 6, Gallimore 9, Myers 7
OC: Katie Riney 4, Brooke Hamilton 3, Rachel Traylor 13, Maddie Hayden 6, Catherine Head 12, Camille Conkright 1, Ally Maggard 7, Kinsley Goetz 9
