The start of softball season is right around the corner, but Kaytlan Kemp isn’t ready to hit the diamond just yet.
The Henderson County senior, who has signed to play softball at Western Kentucky University, prolonged her high school basketball career Wednesday as the Lady Colonels beat Madisonville-North Hopkins 48-34 to advance to the region championship.
Kemp scored 17 of her 19 points in the second half as the Lady Colonels finished strong by outscoring the 7th District champions 25-12 in the fourth quarter.
Kemp scored ahead of the third quarter horn to put Henderson ahead 33-28. She scored five of Henderson’s first seven points of the fourth quarter as the Lady Colonels built their lead to 40-30. She capped the 15-2 run with a bucket with 3:24 to give Henderson its biggest lead at 46-30.
Jarie Thomas set the tone early for Henderson, scoring all 13 of the Lady Colonels’ first quarter points. She finished with a game-high 21 points.
Henderson’s defensive strategy was to take away Madisonville’s outside scoring – specifically Emilee Hallum. The sophomore guard came into the game averaging 11 points and three 3-pointers a game. With Savannah Lacer and the taller Mallorie Veal shadowing her, Hallum was held to two points.
Camryn LaGrange, who was named the region player of the year after the game, led Madisonville with 14 points. Destiny Whitsell added 10 points for the Lady Maroons.
Henderson County advances to its ninth region championship game in the past decade, looking to win its fourth straight title and ninth in that stretch. The Lady Colonels will play 6th District rival Webster County Friday night at Madisonville.
Henderson County 13 10 10 15– 48
Madisonville 14 8 6 6– 34
Henderson County [23-4] – Thomas 21, Kemp 19, Risley 4, Gibson 2, Veal 2
Madisonville [25-6] – LaGrange 14, Whitsell 10, Noffsinger 4, Hallum 2, Sword 2, Lovan 2
