Caldwell County’s girls used a strong second half to end a long losing skid against Madisonville-North Hopkins.
Tied 30-30 at halftime, the Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Maroons 30-13 after the break to claim a 60-43 decision in 7th District action Tuesday night in Princeton.
Not only does the win stop Madisonville’s run in the series at 19 straight, but it gives Caldwell the No. 2 seed for the 7th District tournament.
The Lady Maroons, who beat Caldwell in triple overtime earlier this season in Madisonville, will be seeded third.
Not that the seeds matter for more than just who will be the “home” team and wear their white uniforms in the district semifinals.
Caldwell and Madisonville were already fated to see each other in the 7th District tournament later this month at Hopkins County Central High School in Mortons Gap.
(In the 7th District, the second meeting between teams is the tiebreaker for seeding purposes.)
The Lady Tigers did it on the defensive end Tuesday, recording 19 steals while beating the Lady Maroons for the first time since the 2018 district tournament.
Tink Clark had 21 points, seven assists, seven steals and a blocked shot to lead Caldwell, which is 8-10 overall and 3-3 in the district. Clark was 7 of 13 from the floor. Med Thomas added 12 points.
Audrey McCoy had some key baskets in the third quarter as Caldwell grabbed the upper hand. She finished with 11. Ke’Darriah Thompson had six points to go with 10 rebounds. Laylay Shearer recorded eight points, eight boards and five steals.
The game was tied five times and the lead changed hands six times before the Lady Tigers took the lead for good in the third period. Caldwell held Madisonville to just two field goals in the frame while taking a 43-34 advantage to the final frame.
Macy Wright and Sadie Kirk each had 12 points for the Lady Maroons, who are now 9-10 and 3-3.
The Lady Maroons still lead the all-time series 67-17.
Caldwell’s girls will play again on Friday when they host Christian County as part of a Senior Night girls and boys doubleheader.
Madisonville is scheduled to visit Ohio County on Thursday.
Madisonville-NH 14 16 4 9 — 43
Caldwell County 17 13 13 17 — 60
Madisonville-North Hopkins (9-10, 3-3)—Wright 12, Kirk 12, Harris 6, Westem 6, Gobin 4, Nelson 3.
Caldwell County (8-10, 3-3)—Clark 21, Thomas 12, McCoy 11, Shearer 8, Thompson 6, Whitaker 2.
