By Ryan Davenport, WSON Sports Correspondent 

The Henderson County Lady Colonels faced off against the McCracken County Lady Mustangs in the final four of the Kentucky Girls Basketball Sweet 16 Tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington. 

In the opening period, the Lady Mustangs outscored the Lady Colonels 13-3 heading into the second quarter. In the second period, the Lady Mustangs would outscore the Lady Colonels 13-9, as the Lady Mustangs would have a 14 point lead at halftime with the score 26-12.

To begin the second half, the Lady Mustangs would outscore the Lady Colonels 18-6 in the quarter as the Lady Mustangs would hold a 26 point lead with the score 44-18 heading into the fourth quarter. In the fourth and final period, the Lady Colonels would outscore the Lady Mustangs 22-13, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Lady Mustangs would come away with a 17 point win over the Lady Colonels with the final score 57-40. The Lady Colonels end their season with a (28-5) record while the McCracken County Lady Mustangs improve their record to (35-2). 

 

The leading scorer for the Lady Colonels was senior forward Jarie Thomas with 17 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 3 for 4 from the free throw line on the day. Senior guard Mallorie Veal scored 8 points while shooting 3 for 3 from the free throw line while senior guard Graci Risley tallied 7 points. Senior guard Savannah Lacer contributed 3 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals while freshman forward A’Tylia Green recorded 3 points. To round out the scoring for the Lady Colonels, sophomore forward Anna Kemp added 2 points and 4 rebounds on the day. 

 

The leading scorer for the McCracken County Lady Mustangs was junior guard Claire Johnson with 25 points and 7 rebounds while recording 3 steals and shooting 6 for 7 from the free throw line on the day.

 

Lady Colonel sophomore guard Shalyn Sprinkles and senior forward Jarie Thomas were both named to the All State Tournament Team. 

 

The KABC Patty Jo Hedges Ward Ultimate Teammate Award Presented by Community Trust Bank was an award honoring a senior player whose unselfish style of team play enhances their teams’ overall performance. The winner in 2023 was Lady Colonel senior guard Savannah Lacer. Lacer will be awarded a plaque for her accomplishment and a 1,000 dollar scholarship.

As a team, the Lady Colonels were 2 for 8 (25%) from the three point line and shot 10 for 12 (83%) from the free throw line while grabbing 19 total rebounds and committing 20 turnovers on the day. The Lady Colonels also added 10 assists, 1 block, and 4 steals.