Hailee Johnson eclipsed the 1,000-point mark of her career in a Lady Aces win on Thursday, as Owensboro also grabbed a nice overtime win while Apollo split its doubleheader and Daviess County fell just short against Greenwood.
Apollo vs Taylor County, South Oldham
While struggling offensively in the first game of a doubleheader resulting in a loss to Taylor County, Apollo was able to bounce back in game two with a nice 63-60 win over South Oldham without key starter Jenna Dant.
The E-gals were unable to find a rhythm in their matchup with Taylor County, as freshman Kennedy Lane (16 points) was the only player to finish with more six points in the 73-36 loss. Lane was also crucial in the big win over South Oldham, tallying 17 points in the fourth after Apollo had knotted things up at 38-38 going into the fourth despite a rough first half offensively.
Junior Jennifer Lee added five points in the fourth, as she and Lane combined for 23 of the team’s 25 to help them secure the 63-60 comeback win. Lane led all scorers with 25 points on the night, while Lee finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds and sophomore Gizelle Whitlock added 13 points and eight rebounds.
The E-gals sit at 4-9 overall after the split doubleheader, now facing a quick turnaround with their last game of the FirstBank Holiday Bash against South Warren at 2:30 p.m.
Daviess County vs Greenwood
A monster second quarter offensively for Greenwood was the deciding factor in a 69-62 loss for the Lady Panthers on Thursday to close out the Lady Invitational of the South.
Daviess County got off to a nice start with an 18-12 lead following the first quarter, but didn’t have an answer for Greenwood defensively in the second. The Lady Gators went off for 28 points in the quarter, helping them claim a 40-32 lead going into halftime.
The Lady Panthers were able to outscore Greenwood in the second half 30-29, but it wasn’t enough as they ultimately fell 69-62. Leia Trinh led all scorers with 25 points for the Lady Gators, while Kayla Grant had 16 points and JoJo McCorkle had 15 points.
Sophomore Zoey Beehn led Daviess County with 18 points, while freshman Briley Henry followed with 17 and senior Adylan Ayer had 12 points. The Lady Panthers fall to 4-8 with the loss, as they now have a few days to prepare for a home matchup with Muhlenberg County at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Owensboro Catholic vs Webster County
The Lady Aces had a monster third quarter against Webster County on Thursday, while junior Haliee Johnson notched a big career milestone en route to a 71-38 win at home.
Despite holding the Lady Trojans to four points in the opening quarter, Owensboro Catholic still found themselves hanging on to a 23-17 lead heading into the locker room. But Johnson tallied 13 points and sophomore Karmin Riley grabbed nine with three threes in the quarter, helping the Lady Aces to a 31-point third and a 54-31 lead.
Owensboro Catholic never looked back, grabbing a 71-38 win as Johnon led the team with 22 points and surpassed the 1,000-point mark of her career in the process. Riley followed with 14 points, while sophomore Aubrey Randolph added 11 and sophomore Jaiden Grant and junior Jenna Krampe added eight each in the win.
The Lady Aces improved to 11-2 with the win, now looking ahead to their 3rd Region All A Classic matchup with Hancock County at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2.
Owensboro vs. Marshall County
The Lady Devils counted on the play of their upperclassmen on Thursday, as they were able to help force overtime and sink key free throws to secure a 60-59 win over Marshall County to move to 2-1 in the Lady Invitational of the South.
Owensboro had trailed the majority of the game going into the fourth quarter, sitting behind the Lady Marshals 48-32. But in the fourth the Lady Devils were able to hold Marshall County to six points while scoring 22 points—with junior Lizzy Phillips eight leading the way—to force overtime tied at 54 all.
Senior CJ Paige opened up overtime with a big three for Owensboro, but it was a clutch free throw from A’Lyrica Hughes with 5.5 seconds to play that ended up being the game-winner in the 60-59 victory after the junior guard proceeded to grab a steal shortly after just before time expired.
Hughes led the Lady Devils with 12 points on the night, while senior Melicia Moorman had 11 and Paige and Phillips added 10 points each. Owensboro sits at 10-3 after back-to-back wins, as they look to close out the holiday tournament strong in its matchup against Greenwood at 1 p.m. on Friday.
