Lady Hounds defeat South Laurel for 50th District title

After trading losses against each other in the regular season, the Corbin Lady Hounds topped the South Laurel Lady Cardinals Thursday evening, 74-68, to secure this year’s 50^th District championship title.

“Obviously, I am through the roof,” said Corbin senior Kallie Housley. “I am so excited, especially since this is the last time that we (seniors) will get to play in a district tournament game. So, to be able to cut the nets down this final time is just very exciting.”

Thursday’s game, played at Whitley County High School, was close throughout, with the Lady Cards taking a two-point lead, 12-10, just before the end of the first quarter thanks to a Peyton Mabe three-point shot at the buzzer.

The Lady Hounds came out on fire in the second quarter, taking a ten-point lead at one point, 25-15, but South was able to cut the lead down to one, 29-28, just before the half.

“I think that our nerves were getting to us a little bit in the first half,” explained senior Darcie Anderson. “But in the second half we really responded, and just wanted it really badly.”

It was an Anderson three-point basket that tied the game up at 36-36 at the 4:55 mark in the third quarter. Corbin was able to capitalize from there, building up a 55-48 lead going into the final period of the game.

Some big shots from behind the arc kept South Laurel within striking distance throughout most of the fourth quarter, but the Lady Hounds were able to fight off the late-game rally and go on to secure the eventual 74-68 district championship victory.

“We kept our composure,” said Anderson.  “They are a great team with some young talent, but I think that our veteran experience helped us tonight to keep our cool and just push through.”

Fellow senior Bailey Stewart added, “I am just so proud of us right now. Our mindset was obviously to cut down the nets, but we’re not going to stop here. We want to make it back to Rupp Arena.”

With Thursday’s win, Corbin improves to 20-8 on the year. South Laurel, meanwhile, falls to 19-13 overall. Both teams will advance to the 2024 13^th Region tournament at the Corbin Arena.

Corbin – 10  19  26  19  –  74

S. Laurel – 12  16  20  20  –  68

CHS – Darcie Anderson 11, Kallie Housley 23, Kylie Clem 3, Bailey Stewart 8, Raegan Walker 6, Lydia King 12, Izzy Walker 9, Michaela Williams 2

SL – Aubrey Bundy 9, Shelbie Mills 21, Maci Messer 5, Peyton Mabe 26, Jamie Buenaventura 4, Sydney Blanton 1, Callie Jones 2

2024 50^th District All-Tournament Team: (From Williamsburg) Allie Wilson and Hannah Creekmore; (From Whitley Co.) Autumn Sawyers and Aubree Clemens; (From South Laurel) Jamie Buenaventura, Peyton Mabe and Shelbie Mills; (From Corbin) Darcie Anderson, Kallie Housley, Raegan Walker and Bailey Stewart