You had to wonder if the Metcalfe County Lady Hornets started to think “here we go again” Sunday afternoon in the 4th Region All A championship game against the Todd County Central Lady Reberls Sunday afternoon in Elkton. Metcalfe County had watched a double-digit lead disappear in last year’s 4th Region tournament at Diddle Arena as the Lady Rebels came back and advanced to the regional championship game.
Sunday afternoon, the Lady Hornets watched an 11-point lead late in the first half shrink all the way down to three points and the Lady Rebels had the ball with a chance to tie the game inside the final four minutes, trailing just 48-45.
However, Jordyn Shemwell’s three-point attempt from the left-hand side was off the mark and Metcalfe County was able to snag the rebound. Then came the possession of the game. After a trio of foul calls against the Lady Rebels, who were doing their best to pressure the Lady Hornet, Metcalfe County’s Kassady London popped open in the left corner and buried a three that helped secure a 55-48 win for the Lady Hornets and helped to deny the Lady Rebels their first trip to the All A Classic state tournament since 2009.
After London’s shot made it 51-45, the Lady Rebels missed a shot and then Metcalfe County’s Jozie Allen found an open lane to the basket when JaMya Kay rolled her ankle playing defense to extend the lead to 53-45 with just over two minutes to go in the game. The Lady Hornets would then hold on for the 7-point win, despite going just 2 of 6 from the line over the final eight minutes.
But it was that kind of day for Metcalfe County. After the Lady Rebels fell behind early and had to work the rest of the day to battle their way back into the game, it felt like every key shot fell for the Lady Hornets. It seemed like every big rebound ended up in the hands of a Metcalfe County player. And, it seemed like key, wide-open shots would not fall for Todd County Central as they fought to get back into the game.
Metcalfe County came out shooting well from the very beginning. The Lady Hornets closed the first quarter with a 9-2 run to take a 21-13 lead. Metcalfe County drilled three shots from behind the arc in the opening quarter.
The Lady Hornets continued to shoot well in the second quarter but the Lady Rebels were able to keep Metcalfe County within eyesight, thanks it large part to the outside shooting of Daymea Garrett, who knocked down three 3-pointers in the first half. Still, the Lady Hornets would lead by as many as 11 in the second before taking a nine-point lead into the half.
Four times in the third quarter, the Lady Rebels cut the lead to six, only to have Metcalfe County come up with a timely basket, a big rebound, or force a Lady Rebel turnover. Late in the third, Todd County Central got within four points and the Rebels fans started to crank up the noise. The quarter ended with Metcalfe County clinging tightly to a five-point lead at 44-39.
Three times in the fourth quarter, the Lady Rebels cut the lead to just three points, but give the Lady Hornets their due. When they needed to make a play to turn back the Todd County Central charge, they were able to do so.
Alexis Taylor and JaMya Kay led the Lady Rebels with 13 points each. Jordyn Shemwell had 11 points, 8 of them in the second half of play. Daymea Garrett finished with 9 points, all in the first half.
For Metcalfe County, Jozie Allen topped the scoring column with 20 points. Kassady London also hit double figures with 11. Lily Blythe scored 8 points.
Todd County Central drops to 9-6 with the loss. The Lady Rebels are set to get back to action Friday night at home in a 13th District game against Logan County.
Metcalfe County goes to 13-3 and will advance on to next week’s All A Classic state tournament in Owensboro, where they will take on the winner of the 16th Region, Wednesday, January 22, at 6:30pm.
