The Lyon County Lady Lyons are headed back to Richmond for the All A Classic state tournament. In a game that was almost over before it really got started, the Lady Lyons rolled past Livingston Central 68-45 Saturday afternoon in the 2nd Region All A Classic championship game. The win gives the Lady Lyons their third trip to Richmond in the last five seasons.
Lyon County’s defensive pressure was the story of the day. The Lady Lyons pressed the Lady Cardinals most of the afternoon, and the press was more than effective.
With Livingston struggling with the press early, the Lady Lyons jumped out to a 13-1 lead in the game. Rose Smith and Ella Defew got off to big starts for Lyon County as the Lady Lyons seized control and never ever let loose of it on the afternoon. The opening quarter would end with the Lady Lyons holding a 21-9 lead.
The second quarter turned into “CC” time, that is Calista Collins. The Lyon County senior was unstoppable down in the paint during the second quarter, either scoring easy baskets from underneath, or forcing the Lady Cardinals to foul her. Collins would end the first half with 16 points, including 8 of 10 from the free throw line as Lyon County extended the lead over Livingston Central to 37-16 at the half.
The big lead allowed Coach Dawn Cotham to mix-and-match some lineup combinations in the second half and get some younger players some important tournament playing time. Rose Smith and Ella Defew repeated their first quarter performance as the second half got underway. The lead would grow to as many as 26 points before the Lady Lyons ended the third holding a 51-27 lead.
From there, it was only a matter of the final score, as the Lady Lyons finished it on out with a 23 point margin and another All A regional championship.
The “three amigos” of Calista Collins, Rose Smith, and Ella Defew combined to score 56 of the Lady Lyons 68 points. Collins and Smith each had 19 points, while Defew was just a point behind them with 18.
Freshman Victoria Joiner led Livingston Central with 16 points. Emersyn Ramage and Aubrey Leahy added 8 points each.
Lyon County improves to 8-7 with the win. They advance to the All A Classic state tournament in Richmond where they will play 5th Region winner Campbellsville at 1:00pm eastern time Wednesday, January 26 at McBrayer Arena.
LIV — 9 7 11 18 – 45
LYON – 21 16 14 17 – 68
Livingston Central (5-6) – Joiner 16, Ramage 8, Leahy 8, Holeman 6, Hargove 5, Downey 2
Lyon County (8-7) – Collins 19, Smith 19, Defew 18, Perry 6, Taylor 4, Brasher 2
