A lingering Friday night district loss to Crittenden County, a long sleepless drive down the Mountain Parkway and the weight of historic Wayland Gymnasium in the Mountain Sports Hall of Fame didn’t deter Lyon County Saturday night.
Instead, in the shadow and spirit of King Kelly Coleman, and the creaking waxed floors beneath them, the Lady Lyons rolled to an 80-56 win against 15th Region Floyd Central — getting 40 points from freshman point guard Piper Cotham.
Forty.
“That was a career high for me: middle school, high school, everything,” she said.
And it all seemed to be working for her: 11 points in the first quarter, 11 points in the second quarter, five points in the third quarter, and 13 more in the final decisive frame.
She slashed in the halfcourt, scored often coast-to-coast in transition, buried four 3-pointers — including three in the second quarter — and cashed in on 8-of-10 free throws.
“I love to shoot a three,” she added. “A three is worth more than a two, so that’s what I try to shoot. And it all just clicked tonight. Our intensity on defense and offense, it really just allowed me to connect my shot to the goal.”
Her mother and coach, Dawn Cotham, wasn’t aware her starting point guard was approaching a milestone achievement — and very nearly subbed her out in the fourth, the game well in hand.
Piper and some of her teammates, however, gave the nudge, and paved the way for her finish.
“I knew that she had a great first half,” Dawn said. “The position she plays at the point allows her to, whenever the press is effective, that’s where she’s at to score those points. But, of course, she’s got to make those buckets, and she did. I’m super happy for her. She apparently knew how she was pretty close, so she actually asked the permission to go ahead and score those buckets…because we were just trying to win a ballgame and do it respectfully…and her teammates knew she was getting close, and they actually helped her out.
“For her to respect the game, love the game, respect other teams and show sportsmanship says a lot about who she is.”
Her effort was certainly needed early, as Lyon County only led 17-14 after the first despite consistent full-court pressure and frequent traps of the ballhandler. Sophomore point guard Chloe Crase connected on two of her eight 3-pointers in those first eight minutes, on her way to 26 points to lead the Lady Jaguars.
Maddy Engle, an eighth grade forward, connected on a 3-pointer just before halftime, cutting Lyon County’s lead to just 38-30.
Up 47-36 early in the third quarter, the Lady Lyons carved out a pivotal 12-0 run that included a terrific spin move in the lane from fellow freshman Trinity Taylor, who had 19, as well as an offensive rebound and jumper from freshman Courtney Collins, and a jumper from junior Lilly Perry.
The theme here: freshmen. Freshmen forgetting about blowing a 16-point lead to the Lady Rockets less than 24 hours prior, and remembering to put together a winning stretch.
“I’ve preached consistency all year long with these girls,” Dawn said. “Because that’s what their youth shows. It’s not their talent level or skill, it’s their inconsistency. It’s being able to play and produce every single game consistently. [Friday night], it just didn’t happen. I think it says a lot about these girls and who they are.
“For them to come off of that, drive in the night, we got here at 5 AM [Saturday], so very little sleep, very little food, it’s been kind of crazy. And so for them to take all of that in consideration, and come out in such a big venue and historic gym, and play with that effort and intensity, it says a lot about who these girls are, and who they want to be in the future. And how they’re putting the work and effort into growing.”
Prior to the game, Dawn, Piper and the team were made aware that the matchup between Lyon County and Floyd Central was either the first — or one of the first — varsity girls games to ever be played in the facility, one that now plays home to the rich chapters of the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th Region sports timelines.
Home of the Wasps, the arena sits less than 300 between its low bleachers and balcony, and in its early years had a hole cut in the wall so live scores could be shouted to fans in the parking lot.
No fans were waiting in the parking lot this time around, crammed like sardines awaiting what wound up being a high-octane affair between the boys of Lyon County and Floyd Central.
LYON COUNTY 80, FLOYD CENTRAL 56
Lady Lyons (5-3) 17 21 23 19 — 80
Lady Jaguars (2-5) 14 16 14 12 — 56
LYON COUNTY
Scoring: Piper Cotham 40, Trinity Taylor 19, Courtney Collins 7, Lilly Perry 6, Lexi Holland 4, Jenna Coursey 2, Lanie Dalton 2.
2PT: 25. 3PT: 5 (Cotham 4, Collins). FT: 15-17. PF: 11.
FLOYD CENTRAL
Scoring: Chloe Crase 26, Riley Compton 12, Madi Engle 11, Reagan Laferty 5, Carmen Rackey 2.
2PT: 11. 3PT: 10 (Crase 8, Engle, Compton). FT: 4-7. PF: 12.
