If you were looking for a tough, hard-nosed, physical game Friday night, then Caldwell County High School was the place to be. The Christian County Lady Colonels used tough pressure defense to build a double digit second half lead, only to see Caldwell County use tough, gritty play to battle back to tie the game in the final minute.
The Lady Colonels would get a runout after the game-tying basket from Mikayah Killebrew and then Trinity McGee sealed the deal with a pair of free throws in the final seconds, as Christian County escaped with a 56-52 win.
The game was a tough, physical affair from the opening tip. Christian County took an early 6-0 lead, only to see the Lady Tigers come back to cut the margin to 8-6 by the end of the opening quarter. Shots did not come easy for either team, as both played in your face defense. The tough play did generate some foul problems early in the contest, especially for the Lady Colonels.
Behind the play of Jada Boyd and Majah Hollowell, the Lady Tigers scored the first six points of the second quarter to take a 12-8 lead. For the rest of the half, Christian County could not get back to the front, tying the contest only once, as Caldwell County took a 22-20 lead into the locker room at the half.
With the game tied at 26-26 early in the third quarter, Christian County delivered what looked to be at the time the knockout blow of the game. Cranking up their full court pressure, the Lady Colonels forced Caldwell County into turnovers, with several of those resulting in easy layups, as Christian County went on a 10-0 run to take a 36-26 lead. With Trinity McGee exerting her will inside, the lead would grow to 44-31 at the end of the quarter.
Just about the time it looked as if Caldwell County was done for the night, the Lady Tigers said “not so fast.” With their own wave of defensive pressure, back they came. Jada Boyd drove the ball to the basket, and the Lady Tigers got some key defensive plays from A.J. Hollowell, and the Lady Colonel lead evaporated. Boyd scored four straight points to make it a 51-50 Christian County lead with 54.1 seconds to go. After A.J. Hollowell made a steal and was fouled, she made one of two free throws to tie the game at 51-51.
Then came the game saving moment for the Lady Colonels, as Hollowell missed the second free throw, McGee grabbed the rebound and threw a long outlet pass to Killebrew who made the layup to give the lead back to Christian County at 53-51. The two teams traded a free throw, with McGee then sealing the win with a pair at the line, after moments earlier missing a pair.
Trinity McGee had 15 points to lead Christian County. Eniya McGee and Mikayah Killebrew added 13 points each.
For Caldwell County, Jada Boyd led the way with 15 points. Majah Hollowell was the other Lady Tiger in double figures with 14 points. Jacey Jaggers and Lucy Goffinet added seven points each.
