Lady Colonels’ Season Ends at Region

The Whitley County Lady Colonels ended their season with an overall record of 24-8 Wednesday night when they fell to Clay County (21-10) in the first round of the Region 13 girls basketball tournament at The Arena in Corbin.

Whitley jumped out to a 6-0 lead early, but the Lady Tigers battled back. Player of the Game Ajaycia Cotton hit a buzzer beater three-point shot to end the first quarter that pulled Clay to within four, 12-8.

Whitley County struggled offensively in the second quarter, scoring only six points to Clay County’s 12. The Lady Colonels were also outworked under the goal. On the night, Clay pulled down 34 rebounds while Whitley snagged 22.

Whitley senior Maria Johnson led the game in scoring with 23 points, including seven three-point baskets, but she did not receive much help from teammates. She was the only Lady Colonel to end the night in double digits.

Clinging to a two-point, 20-18 lead at the half, Clay County came out determined to pull away in the third quarter, but a scary moment about midway through saw Cotton slam into the press table. She had to be assisted off the floor, but she later returned. She finished the night with a team-high 17 points.

At the end of three, the Lady Tigers were beginning to distance themselves with a 35-28 lead.

They opened up the fourth and final quarter of play by going on a 10-2 run and the never looked back from there. They would eventually win by a final score of 52-45.

“We didn’t play very well offensively tonight,” said Whitley County Head Coach Donnie Jones after the disappointing loss. “We had several good looks, but we just couldn’t get the shots to go down.”

“We also got rattled a little bit with physical play, and we didn’t handle that very well. The kids just put so much into this that I think they had a hard time getting relaxed enough to hit the easy shots. We were a little too uptight, too emotional, and that was my fault. I guess you could say I couldn’t get them in their ‘happy place.’”

As for his three senior players, Jones said, “They are some of the best kids that have ever come through Whitley County. You’ll not find three better kids anywhere. They will be hard to replace.”

Jones was still optimistic about what the future holds for Lady Colonel basketball, however, commenting that he will have a good group of players returning. He said that some adjustments may have to be made in the offseason, but the team will work hard to be ready for 2014-15.

Clay Co 52, Whitley Co 45

Clay –       8  12  15  17  –  52

Whitley – 12  6   10   17  –  45

Clay – Ajaycia Cotton 17, Sara Robinson 9, Kelli Roberts 9, Shelby Phillips 9, Courtney Woods 8

Whitley – Maria Johnson 23, Brandi Smith 8, Kandace Craig 7, Abby Estes 3, Savanna Sizemore 2, Taylor Dingess 2