Lady Colonels down Monroe Co.

The Whitley County Lady Colonels opened defense of their 2003 Coca-Cola Classic title in Campbellsville with a 59-56 win over the Monroe County Falcons. The Falcons are one of the top teams in the fourth region with their losses coming against Clinton County, Lexington Catholic and Bullitt East.
Now you can add Whitley County to that list as the Lady Colonels came from behind to post a three point victory.
“We got behind early in the quarter then called a timeout and played even with them the rest of the first quarter,” said Whitley County coach Larry Anderson. Monroe County led at the end of the first period behind the play of Kenzie Rich and Samantha Burgess.
“Once we got our legs under us we started playing much better,” said Anderson. “We got the momentum and outplayed them in the second quarter. We did a heck of a job on Rich and Burgess. We did a nice job cutting off driving lanes and that’s what they wanted to do.”
Whitley County (6-4) outscored the Falcons 15-10 in the second quarter and trailed Monroe County, 27-26 at the half.
“We came out in the third quarter and took a four point lead but they got it (lead) back,” said Anderson. “The lead was going back and forth and they led 43-41 going into the fourth quarter.”
“Our kids came out in the fourth quarter and made some big baskets,” said Anderson. “McCullah (Stephanie) made a big three for us and gave us a 44-43. I don’t think we ever lost the lead after that. We were able to build on it and hit our free throws down the stretch.”
Puddie Hibbs hit four of four down the stretch to hold off a Falcons rally.
McCullah led all scorers with a game-high 20 points while Samantha Daugherty netted 14 points and Kayla Haynes 13 points. Hibbs finished with 10 points giving the Lady Colonels four players in double figures.
“This is the way I saw us this year,” Anderson said of his balanced scoring. “I’ve been very disappointed in our team so far. I felt like we had four kids that could average in double figures. We haven’t been doing that.”
It’s the first time this season that Whitley County has had four players reach double figures in a game. McCullah tied her season high 20 points.
“I think the tournament over at Russell County made us aware of how little we were playing,” said Anderson. The Lady Colonels finished 1-2 in that tournament, losing close games to Garrard County and Franklin County before beating Jenkins.

Whitley Co. 11 15 15 18- 59
Monroe Co. 17 10 16 13- 56
Whitley Co. (59) – Daugherty 14, Hibbs 10, Haynes 13, McCullah 20, Osborne 2.
Monroe Co. (56) – Rich 17, McCreary 6, Harlan 2, Anderson 14, Burgess 8, Wilson 3, Bennett 6.