Top-seeded Hopkins County Central walloped Dawson Springs out of the gate and breezed to a 78-17 win Monday in the semifinals of the girls’ 7th District tournament in Mortons Gap.
The Lady Storm (18-11) pressed its way to a 20-0 lead midway through the opening stanza.
After pulling off the full-court defense, Hopkins Central continued to have its way, pushing the margin to 35-0 after 8 minutes.
The game-opening run hit 42-0 in the second period before the Lady Panthers got on the scoreboard.
Freshman Olivia Hines finally broke up the shutout when she scored from inside at the 6:31 mark of the stanza.
She was also fouled on the play and completed the three-point trip.
By halftime, though, Hopkins Central led 58-8.
The Lady Storm played its reserves the entire second half, which was played with a running clock because of the mercy rule.
Hopkins Central led 69-10 through three quarters.
Addie Menser scored all 21 of her points in the first half for the Lady Storm, as did Tyah White (12 points) and Sa’Nya Carney (11).
Hines led Dawson Springs with 10 points.
The Lady Panthers end the season with an 8-15 record.
The victory was Hopkins Central’s 19th straight over the Lady Panthers, going back to the 2018 district tournament semifinals.
The Lady Storm will next face Caldwell County in the championship game Thursday at 6 p.m.
The Lady Tigers defeated Madisonville-North Hopkins 49-37 in Monday’s other semifinal.
Both Hopkins Central and Caldwell have earned a berth in next week’s 2nd Region tournament, which will also be played in Mortons Gap.
Dawson Springs 0 8 2 7 — 17
Hopkins Central 35 23 11 9 — 78
Dawson Springs (8-15)—Hines 10, Cook 4, B. Swatzell 2, Allison 1.
Hopkins County Central (18-11)—Menser 21, White 12, Carney 11, Smith 9, Mason 8, Dulin 6, Burton 5, Thomas 3, Cotton 3.
