CORBIN — South Laurel started Monday’s first round of the 13th Region Girls’ Tournament, scoring the game’s first 16 points, and never looked back during its 58-30 victory over Jackson County.
“I thought we got off to a very good start,” South Laurel coach Tod Windlan said. “That was the key. We were able to pick the defensive pressure up and space the floor. I told our kids don’t be afraid to shoot it, and Callie and Macie got us off to a great start, and Skeeter finding them. It was great to see them get off to that good of a start.”
The win sets up a semifinal matchup with Knox Central on Friday. The Lady Panthers defeated Harlan County in earlier action, 70-41.
Maci Messer led South Laurel with 17 points while Aubrey Bundy scored 12 points and Callie Jones finished with 11 points. Skeeter Mabe had six points, seven assists, two steals and three rebounds while Jamie Buenaventura scored four points, recorded seven steals and pulled down seven boards.
Abby Gilbert led the Lady Generals with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
South Laurel hit 21-of-58 from the floor, including going 9-of-19 from 3-point range. The Lady Cardinals also forced Jackson County into 26 turnovers.
The Lady Generals hit 10-of-36 shot attempts while finishing 1-of-11 from 3-point range.
The Lady Cardinals (25-4) started out red-hot against the Lady Generals, jumping out to a 16-0 lead with 4:04 remaining in the first quarter. Jackson County’s (14-15) first basket came with 3:40 remaining after a put-back by Abby Gilbert.
South Laurel closed the quarter with a 6-2 run, taking a 22-4 advantage into the second quarter of action.
Jones scored eight points in the opening eight minutes while Messer added seven points, and Bundy scored five points.
Jackson County got hot shooting the ball in the second quarter but still found itself trailing, 34-15, at halftime.
The Lady Generals shot 5-of-14 from the floor in the first half, and was outrebounded, 15-13.
The Lady Cardinals forced Jackson County into 18 turnovers in the first half while shooting 12-of-30 shot attempts from the floor, including going 6-of-11 from 3-point range.
Messer led South Laurel with 15 points in the first half while Jones had nine points and Bundy scored five. Gilbert led the Lady Generals with 10 points.
The Lady Cardinals continued their dominance in the third quarter, extending their lead to 50-19 while outscoring Jackson County, 16-4, during the period.
The Lady Generals outscored South Laurel, 11-8, in the fourth quarter but the damage had already been done.
