Coming off a tough, triple-overtime loss to district rival Madisoville-North Hopkins earlier in the week, the Caldwell County Lady Tigers were looking to get back on the winning track as they headed into Tiger Gym Thursday night to take on the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers in the Toyota of Hopkinsville Holiday Classic.
On the other sideline, the Lady Tigers were coming off their first win of the season Wednesday night and looking to build a little pre-holiday momentum.
The only thing certain going into the game was that the Lady Tigers would win. Turned out it was the Lady Tigers from Princeton who went home a little happier than when they arrived.
Caldwell County survived turnover issues and cool outside shooting to get past Hopkinsville 51-47. Unless the two teams meet in the 2nd Region tournament, it will be the final meeting between them, given the upcoming merger of Hopkinsville and Christian County.
With Hopkinsville battling the turnover bug, Caldwell County sprinted out to a quick 9-0 lead. Hopkinsville had seven turnovers in the first 4 ½ minutes of the contest. Hopkinsville managed to close the gap to 11-5 by the end of the first quarter.
The turnover bug decided to relocate to the other end of the court in the second quarter, which allowed Hopkinsville to pull even at 16-16 late in the half. However, Caldwell County came up with the last five points of the half to push the lead back out to 21-16 at the break.
Turnovers were a problem for both teams in the first half, as they combined for 38, with Hopkinsville at 21 and Caldwell County at 17.
The big difference in the first half for Caldwell County was the play of Ke’Darriah Thompson, who had 10 points and two rebounds. Laelah Watkins did her part, keeping Hopkinsville in the game in the opening half with 8 points and four rebounds.
Led by Tink Clark, Caldwell County scored the first four points of the second half as the Lady Tigers from Princeton equaled their biggest lead of the night at that point at 25-16.
However, Hopkinsville would not go down quite that easily. Getting a strong rebounding effort from KaMya White, Hopkinsville battled back and closed to within 27-26 inside the final three minutes of the third quarter. A three from Kaveyah White in the final seconds kept the margin at one point at 32-31 as the quarter ended.
The fourth quarter opened with a steal and layup for KaMya White, giving Hopkinsville its first lead of the game at 33-32. The game was tied at 37-37 when it looked as if Caldwell County was ready to put it away, using a 7-point run to move out to a 44-37 lead. But back came Hopkinsville again, closing to one point at 46-45 and again at 48-47.
However, that would be the end of the comeback as Tink Clark, who had a monster second half, including her 1,000th career points, hit 3 of 4 free throws inside the final minute to secure the four-point win.
Clark finished the game with 22 points, 18 of them in the second half, and 12 rebounds to lead Caldwell County. Ke’Darriah Thompson also hit double figures with 10 points, and she pulled down six rebounds. Med Thomas and Alaiyaa Shearer added 7 points each.
Serenity Ewing and Amani Pizana led Hopkinsville with 10 points each. Laelah Watkins added 9 points for the Lady Tigers.
Turnovers were a big story in the game as Hopkinsville had 34 miscues and Caldwell County finished with 24.
Caldwell County (2-2) will be back in action Friday night on the road at Dawson Springs.
Hopkinsville (1-4) hits the road Saturday to take on Lyon County.
