Come From Behind

The Corbin Lady Redhounds extended their winning streak to seven games with home court wins over the North Laurel Lady Jaguars (63-49) and the Lady Bulldogs of Paul Lawrence Dunbar, 62-59.
Coach Jennifer Parsons’ team has now won 15 of their last 16 games heading into the final regular season game at Harlan Friday night. That game will be significant to current seniors Jamie Bonza and Bailee Gambrell. It was just four short years ago that the Lady Redhounds finished their first season under Parsons with a 4-22 record. A win over Harlan will give Corbin a 22-4 record heading into the 50th District Tournament next week.
“How wonderful would that be,” said Parsons. “The girls have really worked hard the last three years to get to this place.”
Saturday’s win over North Laurel came a little easier than the one of Dunbar Monday night. Corbin had to come from behind in the fourth quarter to pull off the 21st win of the season against the Lady Dawgs.
“Coming into the game, we knew Dunbar was a good team,” said Parsons. “We had beaten them by four earlier in the season in the Berea Tournament but since then they have really improved.”
“They played Woodford County (one of the top teams in the 11th region) within ten points and had beaten a very good Tates Creek team,” said Parsons. “They have been playing their best basketball, as we have.”
“We knew this was going to be a good match-up,” said Parsons, who saw her Lady Redhounds ease out to a three point lead at the end of the first quarter, 19-16.
However, it was Dunbar outscoring Corbin 14-8 in the second quarter behind the play of Jansha Wilson and Ranthony Clark. The visitors led 30-27 at the half. Corbin was able to stay close and have a chance in the end.
Dunbar went up 42-38 at the end of the third quarter but Corbin was able to make their move in the final eight minutes.
“I really liked our senior leadership going into that fourth quarter,” said Parsons. “Jamie has really stepped up in the last couple of games. She took us on her shoulders in the second half, the fourth quarter especially.”
“She showed a lot of leadership tonight,” added Parsons. “I started the fourth quarter with the three seniors and I think they set the momentum and kept us going.”
It was a three point play by Bonza that pushed Corbin ahead 46-45. But Clark nailed a three pointer to send the lead back to Dunbar.
A three pointer by Clark pushed Dunbar ahead 53-47 with just over three minutes left in the game and things looked bleak for the Lady Redhounds.
Freshman Mikkah Rogers hit a long shot and Heather Clouse scored on a lay-up, cutting the lead to one (53-52). Clouse had a chance to tie the game from the line but missed the free throw.
Dunbar broke a small draught and moved ahead 55-52 with two minutes remaining then led 57-53 when Rogers went to the line with 1:38 in the game. She hit the first but missed the second.
Clouse pulled Corbin within a point from the free throw line with :39 remaining, then a steal by Rogers on the in bounds play and score put Corbin ahead 58-57 with :24 ticks left.
The Lady Bulldogs turned the ball over once again on an in bounds mistake. Clouse was fouled with 11 seconds left and hit both free throws for a three point margin, 60-57. Clark pulled the Lady Bulldogs within one (60-59) with 8.5 seconds left but Barley was fouled with six seconds remaining. She put the game on ice as Dunbar missed the final shot that could have tied the game.
The free throw line was kind to the Lady Redhounds, who hit 21 of 29 from the line while Dunbar had eight attempts and hit seven.
“I thought Dunbar executed well,” said Parsons. “I don’t think we could have had a better test going into the tournament.”
“We showed a lot of courage because we didn’t want to lose on Senior Night,” said Parsons.
Corbin goes to Harlan Friday night and will take on the Kendra Lathan led Green Dragons. “It will be a good test on the road,” said Parsons. “We have to deny Lathan the ball inside. She is very athletic and can really hurt you.”
Corbin had three players in double figures against Dunbar with Clouse leading the way with 18 points.
Clouse also was the leading scorer Saturday when Corbin turned back the North Laurel Lady Jags. She had 17 points along with teammate, Rogers.

Dunbar 16 14 12 17- 59
Corbin 19 8 11 24- 62
Dunbar (59) – Clark 22, Wilson 16, Madden 2, Graham 10, Pressley 9.
Corbin (62) – Bonza 15, Rogers 12, Clouse 18, Jackson 4, Bailey 7, Akins 6.

North Laurel 9 13 9 18- 49
Corbin 18 9 16 20- 63
North Laurel (49) – Hughes 12, Ray 4, Anders 2, Karr 12, Helton 2, Jackson 5, Bargo 12.
Corbin (63) – Bonza 8, Rogers 17, Clouse 17, Barley 3, Akins 13.