Caldwell County’s girls led for much of the first half while looking for an upset win at 7th District favorite Hopkins County Central Tuesday night.
The Lady Tigers were up 24-17 in the first half before the Lady Storm came roaring back.
Hopkins Central got to within 24-21 at halftime, then seized the upper hand coming out of the break.
All told, a 19-2 run put the Lady Storm up 36-26, and Hopkins Central went on to claim a 50-40 victory.
Hopkins Central (4-1 overall, 3-0 district) never trailed after its big run, but Caldwell battled back within 39-37 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Lady Tigers (3-3, 1-2) had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead. But a turnover took away that opportunity.
Instead, Hopkins Central was able to extend the final margin back out to 10 points.
On a night when the Lady Storm struggled some at the offensive end, Addie Menser picked up the slack with a game-high 25 points.
Menser had four 3-pointers in the contest — three of them during the big run that put Hopkins Central in front. She was also 5-for-5 at the free throw line.
Bri Dulin added 12 points and Tyah White had nine for Hopkins Central.
Tink Clark led Caldwell with 18 points while Laylay Shearer added 10.
Hopkins Central has now taken 11 straight from Caldwell. The Lady Storm leads all-time 43-30.
Hopkins Central will head to Mt. Washington on Friday to play in the 2025 Queen of the Commonwealth event. The Lady Storm will face Cooper.
Caldwell County’s girls next visit Union County Friday night.
Caldwell County 10 14 3 13 — 40
Hopkins Central 8 13 15 14 — 50
Caldwell County (3-3, 1-2)—Clark 18, Shearer 10, Thomas 7, McCoy 5.
Hopkins County Central (4-1, 3-0)—Menser 25, Dulin 12, White 9, Marsh 2, Carney 2.
