Five-time defending champion Henderson County is looking every bit like it intends to extend that streak to six.
The Lady Colonels (23-7) pulled away from Crittenden County’s young squad in the second half Monday night to post a 72-44 triumph in the first round of the 2nd Region tournament at Trigg County High School.
The Lady Rockets (19-14), who have no seniors and just one junior on the roster, tried to keep things close with the perennial power in the opening game of the 2024 regional tourney.
It was 23-20 late in the first half before junior Allyson Rideout buried back-to-back 3-pointers to send Henderson to halftime with a 29-20 advantage and the momentum.
Henderson’s pressure then began to take its toll on Crittenden after the break.
Rashia Cansler had a pair of 3s in the third period to help the Lady Colonels extend the margin to 20 at 50-30.
Crittenden cut the gap to 50-34 by the end of the stanza and got as close as 50-38 early in the fourth quarter.
But that’s as close as Henderson would allow.
The Lady Colonels quickly pushed the margin back out past 20, with the final score equaling the largest lead of the night.
A’Tylia Green and Brooklyn Gibson each had 16 points for Henderson while Rideout finished with 14. Cansler finished with nine.
Anna Boone topped all scorers in the contest with 19 for Crittenden. Jordyn Hodge added nine points.
Henderson County will play in Friday’s first semifinal at 6:00 against Christian County. Christian rallied from 10 down in the second half to upend Madisonville-North Hopkins 56-51 in Monday’s late game.
The regional championship game is Saturday night in Cadiz.
Crittenden County 12 8 14 10 — 44
Henderson County 17 12 21 22 — 72
Crittenden County (19-14)—Boone 19, Hodge 9, Evans 6, Federico 4, Rushing 4, Champion 2.
Henderson County (23-7)—Green 16, Gibson 16, Rideout 14, Cansler 9, Gish 7, Gardner 4, Kemp 4, Locher 2.
