DRAFFENVILLE — Just 48 hours removed from a season-opening 72-40 loss at Hopkins County Central, Lyon County and its first-year coach, Dawn Cotham, had the unenviable task of facing 2021 KHSAA state runner up Marshall County in its home opener Friday and as the nightcap for Day One of Hoopfest.
Once again a contender for the First Region crown, the Lady Marshals stymied, stifled and stole the ball away from the Lady Lyons, on the way to a 58-25 victory at Reed Conder Gymnasium.
Super-senior Calista Collins corralled 13 rebounds and led Lyon County with a team-best eight points, but shooting came at a premium against Marshall County’s size on the perimeter and post. The Lady Lyons were 9-for-40 from the field and just 2-for-13 from the arc — and fell behind 20-1 in the first quarter before a 3-pointer from Lexi Holland in the right corner fell in the cylinder.
By then, Marshall County’s surprising sophomore and Game MVP, Chevelle Henson, had scored eight of her game-high 17 points, and had already snagged four of her five rebounds.
It didn’t help the Lady Lyons one bit, either, when senior forward and prolific 3-point shooter, Jada Driver, would end the first quarter burying one from nearly midcourt for a 24-4 advantage after eight minutes.
By halftime, Driver (12 points, five rebounds, four assists) would have four 3-pointers, and the Lady Marshals would lead 45-12.
From there, the Lady Lyons and Marshall County would tie 13-all in second-half scoring, but Henson’s field goal with 2:41 left in the third frame ushered in a running clock, with the Lady Marshals leading 51-14.
Bringing considerable pressure in both the half and three-quarter court, Marshall County forced 21 Lyon County turnovers and came away with 12 steals — including four from Izzy Washburn, and two each from junior guard Mia Teague and senior forward Halle Langhi (who also finished with double-digit scoring behind 14 points and seven boards).
Ella Defew, Gracen Wynn and Rose Smith all finished with four points each, but were held to a combined 5-for-23 from the field and 10 combined turnovers.
This is a Lady Lyons team that returned several key pieces from last season’s 17-8 team, which finished the season shooting 40% from the field, 26.4% from the arc and 56.1% from the charity stripe. And there’s little time to rest, too; Lyon County faces Dawson Springs on the road tonight at 6, then travels to Muhlenberg County Sunday afternoon for a noon matchup with Apollo in the Lady Mustangs Classic.
It’s a daunting stretch, by anyone’s standards in the First or Second regions.
Lyon County’s first home game isn’t until 7:30 p.m., December 7, when it hosts Union County in Eddyville.
MARSHALL COUNTY 58, LYON COUNTY 25
Lady Lyons (0-2) 4 8 4 9 – 25
Lady Marshals (1-0) 24 21 6 7 – 58
STATISTICS
Lyon County — Calista Collins 8, Ella Defew 4, Gracen Wynn 4, Rose Smith 4, Lexi Holland 3, Hadlie Butler 2.
FG: 9-40. 3PT: 2-13 (Wynn, Holland). FT: 5-8. Reb: 34 (O: 12, D: 22). PF: 12. Ast: 5. TO: 21. Blk: 3. Stl: 3.
Marshall County — Chevelle Henson 17, Halle Langhi 14, Jada Driver 12, Laken Schroader 4, Madyson Morton 3, Neely Northcott 3, Mia Teague 2, Peyton Weitlauf 2, Izzy Washburn 1.
FG: 22-50. 3PT: 5-13 (Driver 4, Northcott). FT: 9-16. Reb: 32 (O: 11, D: 21). PF: 10. Ast: 13. TO: 8. Blk: 1. Stl: 12.
