It may appear to be just a routine victory on a Tuesday night in January, but the Heritage Christian Academy girls’ 34-29 win over visiting Fort Campbell will go down as the Lady Warriors’ first-ever against KHSAA competition.
HCA dropped its two previous outings against KHSAA teams, including Monday night’s matchup with UHA, but the Lady Warriors jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first minute against the Lady Falcons.
However, Fort Campbell closed on an 8-0 run, including a 3-pointer for Yesenia Scott and a buzzer-beater from behind the arc for Kayla Prince, to double up the Lady Warriors after the 1st quarter.
HCA held Fort Campbell to a single basket in the 2nd and Bailey Craft put up six points for the Lady Warriors, including a bucket with :20 left in the half for a 12-10 lead at the break.
Scott opened the 2nd half with a floater and Charlice Cruz had a steal and layup to push the Lady Falcons back in front 14-12. With HCA leading by a basket with three minutes left in the quarter, Fort Campbell was called for a technical foul. Craft hit both free throws, followed by a bucket in the lane for Tori Sutton to give the Lady Warriors some breathing room.
Both teams went scoreless over the first three and a half minutes of the 4th before Kate St. Martin knocked down a jumper for HCA’s largest lead of the night.
Fort Campbell would get as close as three at 30-27 with three minutes to go, but HCA held on to keep the Lady Falcons winless on the season.
The Lady Falcons will be hoping for a different result when they’re back in Hopkinsville on Thursday for another matchup with the Lady Warriors. HCA’s Hallie Zieg missed Tuesday’s contest through injury, while Fort Campbell was also shorthanded due to illness.
Heritage Christian 4 8 16 6 — 34
Fort Campbell 8 2 11 8 — 29
Heritage Christian — Craft 14, Robson 6, Sutton 6, Lynch 4, St. Martin 2, Warren 2
Fort Campbell — Balzeski 7, Prince 5, Scott 5, Cruz 4 Rajj 4, Fanning 2, Green 2
