When it comes down to rivalry games in the postseason, you can generally throw out the records of the teams and the results of the games between the two teams during the regular season. Just ask the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers and the Christian County Lady Colonels.
After losing their two games to the Lady Colonels by an average of 26 points during the season, the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers turned the tables at the most important time Friday night. Kahtahvia Fleming and Alicia Davis each made one of two free throws in the final 13 seconds of overtime to help the Lady Tigers secure a hard-fought 60-58 overtime win over Christian County.
Davis’ free throw with 13.3 seconds left looked to have Hopkinsville in good shape with a 59-55 lead. However, Christian County’s Anaysia Bagwell buried a three from the left wing and was fouled on the shot. Bagwell missed the free throw, leaving Hopkinsville with a 59-58 lead. After Fleming’s free throw made it 60-58 a desperation attempt for Christian County came up empty and the celebration broke out on the sideline and on the court for the Lady Tigers.
Looking back at how the overtime started, it took a big-time effort for the Lady Tigers to be in a position to pick up the win. They fell behind 53-48 in the extra period and leading scorer Shiyah Forte fouled out of the game with 3:16 left. But on this night, there would be no denying the Lady Tigers.
Kahtahvia Fleming scored on a putback of a missed free throw and was fouled. After the free throw, the lead was down to 53-51. LaShanti Wilson scored on a layup to tie the game. The Lady Colonels, who had a brutal night at the line, missed four straight free throws, allowing Alicia Davis’s layup to take the lead at 55-53 with 1:25 to go, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
The Lady Tigers made an early statement in the game that they were in this one for the long haul Trailing 5-4, Hopkinsville scored 10 straight points to go up 14-5. The Lady Tigers led 19-13 at the end of the first quarter.
Behind some big minutes from Carliah Hobson, Christian County would get close in the second quarter, but could never get to the lead. Hopkinsville headed off to the break leading 29-25.
The defensive play from both teams, which had been tough and physical from the very beginning was the story of the third quarter. Both teams struggled with turnovers in the third and had a hard time getting into an offensive flow. With the physical play, the second half became a free throw shooting contest to some extent, and that would end up being an advantage for the Lady Tigers.
Christian County did manage to battle back and tie the game at 36-36 going into the fourth quarter.
Hopkinsville started the fourth with an 8-2 run to move out to a 44-38 lead. Sparked by the play of Anaysia Bagwell, Christian County battled back and, despite free throw struggles, made enough shots at the line to tie the game at 46-46 and force the overtime period.
While the Lady Colonels were still in the game, they suffered a huge loss late in the 4th quarter when NaVeah Day fouled out with 1:33 to go in regulation. Day’s absence was quite noticeable in the overtime period.
For the game, Hopkinsville was led by Shiyah Forte with 16 points before fouling out in the overtime. Kahtahvia Fleming and Lashanti Wilson added 14 each. Alicia Davis also hit double figures with 11.
Anaysia Bagwell had a big night in the loss for the Lady Colonels with 26 points. She was the only Christian County player in double figures. Genesis McGee finished the game with 9 points.
Each team had its struggles at the free-throw line. Christian County made 17 of 42, while Hopkinsville was just a bit better at 21 of 40, but that ‘bit better’ would be enough to be the difference in the game.
With the win, which was Hopkinsville’s sixth straight, the Lady Tigers go to 11-9 on the year.
The loss ends a 12-game winning streak for Christian County and drops the Lady Colonels to 17-9 on the season.
Both teams advance to the 2nd Region tournament which will get underway Monday night at Trigg County High School.
HHS — 19 10 7 10 14 – 60
CCHS — 13 12 11 10 12 – 58
Hopkinsville – Forte 16, Fleming 14, Wilson 14, Davis 11, Sharber 3, Murray 2
Christian County – Bagwell 26, McGee 9, Day 8, Daniel 7, Carliah Hobson 6, Bradley 2
