PULLING THE UPSET

 Clay County girls’ coach James Burchell told his team before the game not to let Whitley County get hot from the outside, but that’s just what Larry Anderson’s Lady Colonels did. And, they made the Lady Tigers pay in a big way. Whitley County outscored Clay County 33-9 from long range and pulled off a 58-55 upset when junior Brandi Smith hit a last second basket as time expired at Clay County High School.

The victory snapped a five-game losing streak to the Lady Tigers. Whitley County beat Clay County 44-32 in 2008, but later dropped a regional tournament game to the Lady Tigers that season.

Anderson said his team hoped to have a big night from outside. “I knew it would be tough going inside. They have three big girls that are outstanding,’ he said. The Lady Colonels responded with 11 three-pointers in the game while Clay County managed three.

Anderson said the win was a total team effort. “We were moving the ball, something we have done all season. It shows in the scores because we have had a different leading scorer in most of the games.”

Whitley County (5-0) fell behind 14-11 at the end of the first quarter, but the Lady Colonels picked up the pace and pushed the ball in the second frame. They were able to close to gap to one (29-28) at the half.

Sophomore Taylor Dingess gave Whitley County the lead to start the third quarter when she hit a three-pointer for a 31-30 lead. The lead changed hands four times before Clay County went on a 6-0 run to take a 40-36 lead. Senior Morgan Chestnut hit a pair of free throws with 1:04 to push the host ahead by four points.

But, a three-pointer by Hallie Jones and a free three throw by Smith with one second left in the quarter allowed Whitley County to tie the game, 40-40.

It looked as if the Lady Colonels would pull away early in the final quarter when Kandice Craig scored from inside followed by three-pointers from Jones and Smith to push Whitley County ahead, 48-40 with just under five minutes to play.

It wasn’t going to be that easy as Clay County mounted a rally behind Chestnut. Chestnut started the rally with a three-point play then a basket by Cheyenne Madden closed the gap to 48-45 with 3:59 left in the game.

Clay County (2-1) pulled within one before Maria Johnson nailed a three-pointer for a four-point margin. Two free throws by Chestnut and two by Ajaycia Cotton tied the contest (51-51) with 1:51 left in the game.

A steal and lay-up by Clay County’s Briana Smith gave the lead back to the Lady Tigers, before Brandi Smith hit a pair of free throws, tying the game.

Madden scored with :46 left that pushed Clay County on top, 55-53. Jones then tied the score for Whitley County, setting the stage for the final shot.

Smith finished the game with 21 points while Johnson added 11 points and Craig 10 points. Chesnut led Clay County with 17 points.

The Lady Colonels will take its five-game streak to Casey County Thursday night. The Lady Rebels (1-4), but are coming off close losses to Pulaski County (55-48) and Danville (69-62) on the road.

“We want to avoid that letdown after a big emotional win,” Anderson said. “We just have to get back in the gym and get ready for this game.”

The Lady Rebels own a five-game win streak against the Lady Colonels.

Johnson scores 25

Mariah Johnson and Smith combined for 47 points as Whitley County rolled past Lexington Lafayette 66-55 Saturday in Lexington.

The Lady Colonels broke open a close game by outscoring the Lady Generals, 24-3 in the third quarter.

Whitley Co. 58, Clay Co. 55

Whitley Co. 11  17  12  18- 58

Clay Co.      14  15  11  15- 55

   Whitley Co. (58) – Powers 4, Smith 21, Craig 10, Johnson 11, Dingess 3, Jones 9

   Clay Co. (55) – Cotton 9, Mathis 6, Chesnut 17, Madden 11, Robinson 10, Smith 2.

Whitley Co. 66, Lafayette 55

Whitley Co.             19  11  24  12- 66

Lafayette            15  15    3  22- 55

   Whitley Co. (66) – Jones 3, Powers 4, Dingess 6, Smith 22, Johnson 25, Craig 6.

   Lafayette (55) – Cooley 15, Givens 8, S. Demus 6, Nagahiro 4, K. Demus 3, Thomas 14, Pankins 4.