Trinity McGee’s shot in the lane inside the final minute put Christian County in the lead and Anaysia Bagwell added a couple of free throws to seal the deal as the Lady Colonels completed a fourth quarter rally to take the 8th District championship by upending Hopkinsville 51-48 at Tiger Gym. Hopkinsville would get a good look at a game-tying shot at the buzzer but Faith Dansbury’s three-pointer would not go down as Christian County picked up its third 8th District championship in the last four seasons.
The Lady Colonels opened the game like they were trying to put it away early. Using a 2-2-1 full-court press, Christan County scored the first seven points of the game. However, the Lady Tigers responded with a 9-0 run of their own and it was game on.
With Anaysia Bagwell and NaVaeh Day getting off to a big start, Christian County would end up with an 18-15 lead after the opening quarter.
The Lady Colonels opened the second quarter with six straight to take a 24-15 lead and set the Lady Tigers back on their heels. But again, Hopkinsville gave indication of what kind of night it was going to be as they came roaring back. The Lady Tigers cranked up their pressure on defense and began to force the Lady Colonels into some mistakes. Also, Christian County was fighting foul troubles in the opening half.
Jakalyla Epps, Lakayla Samuel, and Lashanti Wilson helped to bring the Lady Tigers back to within one at 28-27 at the break.
The third quarter saw the two teams battle back and forth. The game would be tied at 28-28, 30-30, and 34-34 before the Lady Tigers would inch their way out to a 40-37 lead heading into the final eight minutes of the game.
Then it was Bagwell time for the Lady Colonels. Playing nothing like a 7th grader, Anaysia Bagwell would score seven points in the final quarter. Her three-pointer early in the quarter brought the Lady Colonels to within 42-40. Christian County would tie the game 46-46 as it rolled into the final moments.
The Lady Colonels got the lead when they worked the ball down inside to Trinity McGee, who put Christian County up 48-46. However, McGee injured her left knee on the play and got the sidelines in significant pain, and would not return to the game.
Leading 50-48, the Lady Colonels would make one of two free throws to go up 51-48. Hopkinsville would push the ball up the left side of the court and find Faith Dansbury wide open in the left corner. Dansbury’s three-pointer bounced off the rim as the horn sounded. Dansbury was inconsolable after the miss.
Christian County’s Anaysia Bagwell led all scorers with 21 points. NaVaeh Day added eight points for the Lady Colonels.
Donisha Flowers was the top scorer for Hopkinsville. She had 12 points before fouling out of the game late. Lashanti Wilson chipped in with 11, while Jakalyla Epps added 10.
Both teams will now head on to the girls’ 2nd Region tournament. Christian County will host an opening-round game Tuesday, while the Lady Tigers will go on the road.
HHS — 15 12 13 8 – 48
CCHS — 18 10 9 14 – 51
Hopkinsville (2-9) – Flowers 12, Wilson 11, Epps 10, Samuel 9, Forte 5, Cherry 1
Christian County (6-9) – Bagwell 21, Day 8, Killebrew 7, McGee 7, Catlett-Watkins 2, Shemwell 2, Lee 2, Thomas 2
