Prestonsburg, Ky — Lawrence Co. ( 18-13 ) connected on 10 three pointers in a 57-40 victory over Prestonsburg ( 11-16 ) Monday night in the semifinals of the Girls 58th District Tournament at the Prestonsburg Fieldhouse.
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The Lady Dawgs started fast behind Freshman Brooke Neal who connected on 3 three pointers from the corner for a 12-2 lead forcing a Lady Blackcat timeout. Kensley Feltner added 9 points of her own and Lawrence Co. led 20-11 after the first period.
In the second stanza Senior Lexi Ratliff joined the three point party with 2 of her own and Neal nailed another and the rout was on as the Lady Dawgs led 33-13 late in the first half. Prestonsburg scores the final six points of the half but still trailed 33-19 at the break.
Prestonsburg cut into the Lawrence Co. lead in the third quarter lead but still trailed by 12 points heading into the final stanza.
In the fourth the Lady Blackcats cut it to single digits a couple times but Ellie Webb knocked down a couple dagger three pointers and Neal hit her fifth and final three pointer in the final period. The Lawrence Co. defense closed it out with a couple steals and easy buckets down the stretch.
Feltner led the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists, Neal hit 5 three pointers for 15 points, Lexi Ratliff tallied 12 points, Ellie Webb connected on 3 three pointers for 9 points.
Lawrence Co. hit 10 three pointers and went 9 of 13 from the charity stripe.
Prestonsburg was led by Alivia Slone with 15 points, Maggie Nelson and Celina Mullins 6 points each, Destiny Elliott 5 points, Faith Lazer 4 points, Allison Campbell and Haley Ratliff 2 points each.
The Lady Blackcats hit 4 three pointers and went 16 of 24 from the free throw line.
PHS 11 8 14 7 = 40
LCHS 20 13 12 12 = 57
With the win Lawrence Co. advances to their seventh straight 15th Region Tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs will play #1 seed Floyd Central ( 19-7 ) on Thursday 7:00 at Prestonsburg after the Lady Jaguars beat #4 Betsy Layne 58-26 in the first semifinal Monday. The two teams split during the regular season.
In other 15th Region Girls action.
57th District
Martin Co. 51 Magoffin Co. 33
Johnson Central 57 Paintsville 24
59th District
Pikeville 84 Jenkins 66
Shelby Valley and East Ridge tonight
60th District
Phelps and Pike Co. Central tonight with the winner playing Belfry for the title Thursday.
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Melinda Feltner
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… We made a living on that corner three in the first half. Brooke Neal and Lexi Ratliff came up big and Ellie Webb hit some big ones in the second half. We have prepared for this game the last eight games. Exact same scenario last year at our place when we wore road uniforms and they wore white and we didn’t want the same outcome this year.”
“… We put an emphasis on stopping their three point shooting after they made thirteen last week. I think they only made four tonight so that was huge for us. Our defense was good for the most part. We battled a little bit of foul trouble but at least we ran off them off the three point line”
“… Thursday night should be exciting, we split during the regular season. We are happy to make a regional tournament but we want to go in as a District champ this time around. Katie Moore is a great player we need to contain her for sure.”
