By Ryan Davenport, WSON Sports Correspondent
The Henderson County Lady Colonels faced off against the Crittenden County Lady Rockets in the Girls 2nd Region Tournament Championship Game at Union County High School in Morganfield.
In the opening period, the Lady Colonels outscored the Lady Rockets 14-8, as Lady Colonel freshman forward Brooklyn Gibson and senior guard Graci Risley combined for 8 points in the quarter. In the second period, the Lady Colonels would outscore the Lady Rockets 26-14, as Lady Colonel sophomore guard Shalyn Sprinkles and freshman forward Brooklyn Gibson combined for 18 points in the quarter as the Lady Colonels would have a 18 point lead at halftime with the score 40-22.
To begin the second half, the Lady Colonels would outscore the Lady Rockets 18-10, as Lady Colonel senior guard Mallorie Veal and senior forward Jarie Thomas combined for 14 points and 5 rebounds in the quarter as the Lady Colonels would hold a 26 point lead with the score 58-32 heading into the fourth quarter. In the fourth and final period, the Lady Rockets would outscore the Lady Colonels 21-13, but the Lady Colonels would come away with a 18 point win over the Lady Rockets with the final score 71-53. The Lady Colonels win their 19th 2nd Region Championship in school history and advance to the Girls Sweet Sixteen Tournament. The Lady Colonels improve their record to (25-4) while the Lady Rockets end their season with a (25-5) record.
The leading scorer for the Lady Colonels was freshman forward Brooklyn Gibson with 15 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 5 for 6 from the free throw line on the night. Sophomore guard Shalyn Sprinkles scored 14 points while grabbing 3 rebounds and dishing 2 assists while shooting 3 for 3 from the three point line and 3 for 4 from the free throw line. Senior forward Jarie Thomas contributed a double-double scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while also recording 3 assists and 1 block while senior guard Graci Risley tallied 11 points and 4 assists while shooting 3 for 8 from the three point line. Senior guard Savannah Lacer recorded 7 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal while senior guard Mallorie Veal added 6 points and 2 rebounds. Freshman guard Addy Gish scored 2 points while sophomore forward Anna Kemp tallied 2 points on the night.
As a team, the Lady Colonels were 7 for 17 (41%) from the three point line and shot 10 for 14 (71%) from the free throw line while grabbing 28 total rebounds and committing 6 turnovers on the day. The Lady Colonels also added 17 assists, 2 blocks, and 3 steals.
The leading scorer for the Lady Rockets was senior guard Taylor Guess with 31 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals while shooting 13 for 13 from the free throw line on the night. Senior guard Natalie Boone scored 8 points and grabbed 3 rebounds while freshman guard Anna Boone tallied 5 points. Senior forward Addie Hatfield recorded 4 points while freshman forward Andrea Federico added 2 points. Freshman forward Bristyn Rushing scored 2 points while freshman guard Elliot Evans scored 1 point and grabbed 5 rebounds on the night.
As a team, the Lady Rockets shot 2 for 6 (33%) from the three point line and shot 17 for 20 (85%) from the free throw line while grabbing a total of 20 rebounds and committing 7 turnovers on the night. The Lady Rockets also recorded 4 assists and 6 steals.
Senior forward Jarie Thomas and senior guard Graci Risley made the All-Region team based on regular season play. Both Jarie Thomas and Graci Risley along with senior guard Mallorie Veal and sophomore guard Shalyn Sprinkles made the 2nd Region All Tournament team based on tournament play. Head Coach of the Lady Colonels Jeff Haile won 2nd Region Coaches Association Region Coach of the Year.
The Lady Colonels will face off against the Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers in the opening round of the Mingua Beef Jerky Girls Sweet 16 Tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington on Thursday night, March 9th, at 7:30 P.M.
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