The Livingston Central Lady Cardinals used tough, physical defense to stay with the Lyon County Lady Lyons for much of the night Monday night in their opening-round game in the 2nd Region All A Classic. However, it was the tough physical defense from the Lady Lyons that turned a tie game at the half into a 56-42 win, sending the Lady Lyons into Thursday night’s semifinal round.
The Lady Lyons had to survive a huge second half from Livingston Central 8th grader Taylor Leahy, who scored 13 points in the final quarter and nearly brought the Lady Cardinals back from a double-digit deficit.
But when it came down to crunch time, Lyon County point guard Piper Cotham, who started the game 2 of 7 at the free throw line, hit nine straight from the line at crunch time to seal the win for the Lady Lyons. Livingston also had trouble overcoming 12 second-half turnovers, several of which led directly to Lyon County baskets.
The game started off with both teams struggling offensively. Six minutes into the contest the game was knotted up at 2-2. The Lady Lyons used a quick offensive run to generate seven points and take a 9-6 lead into the second quarter.
With Courtney Collins and Lexi Holland able to get something going on offense in the second quarter, the Lady Lyons were able to extend the lead out to 18-12 late in the second quarter.
But with 2:06 to go in the half, the Lady Cardinals got a bit of a spark to get them and their fans into the game. Livingston coach Lisa Corley apparently said something to one of the officials as he was passing by her going down the court that he was appreciative of. Corley was assessed a technical foul for her expression of her opinion. But the Lady Lyons missed both technical free throws and Livingston Central finished the half on a 7-1 run to tie the game at 19-19 at the half.
The Lady Cardinals carried that momentum over into the beginning of the second half as they took a 22-21 lead early in the third. With Lilly Perry providing the spark, the Lady Lyons rebounded with a quick 6-0 run to go up 27-22. Lyon County would then close out the quarter by scoring the final four points to take a 35-27 head.
A Lady Lyon basket to open the fourth quarter moved the lead out to double digits at 37-27 and it felt like the Lady Lyons were about to close out the game.
Please meet Taylor Leahy. Next trip down the court for Livingston Central, Taylor Leahy for three and it’s 37-30. Moments later, Taylor Leahy again for three, 37-33. Next trip down the court, you guessed it, Leahy for three again. Three consecutive trips down the floor, three from behind the arc for the Livingston 8th grader, and a 10-point Lyon County lead was gone in just over a minute.
But there would be no disappointment from an opening round loss this year for the Lady Lyons as they came back with six straight points and then Cotham knocked down those nine straight free throws to close it out and pull out to the 14-point win.
Piper Cotham finished with 21 to lead Lyon County, 18 of those coming in the second half. Courtney Collins finished with a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Trinity Taylor had 8, six in the second half, and Lilly Perry had 8, all in the second half, for the Lady Lyons.
Taylor Leahy led Livingston Central with 15 points. Victoria Joiner added 14.
Lyon County improves to 11-5 and advances to Thursday night’s semifinals, where they will take on Fort Campbell at 7:30 at Caldwell County High School.
LVCH – 6 13 8 15 – 42
LYON – 9 10 16 21 – 56
Livingston Central – T.Leahy 15, Joiner 14, Downey 5, A.Leahy 4, Ramage 4
Lyon County – Cotham 21, Collins 12, Perry 8, Taylor 8, Holland 5, Coursey 2
