CORBIN — Another stellar defensive effort played a big role in South Laurel punching its ticket to Saturday night’s 13th Region Girls’ Tournament championship game.
Knox Central became the 19th Lady Cardinal opponent to score under 42 points or less this season, as South Laurel recorded a 52-42 win over the Lady Panthers.
Tod Windlan’s squad was led Maci Messer’s 15-point, 10-rebound effort while Callie Jones scored 12 points and finished with five assists. Skeeter Mabe scored 10 points while tallying six rebounds.
The Lady Cardinals shot 20-of-42 from the floor, and 5-of-12 from 3-point range. They out-rebounded the Lady Panthers, 34-24.
“I thought our defensive effort and execution was tremendous in first half,” Windlan said. “We came out and ran the floor well and shot the ball well because of it. Bundy, Jones and Messer got good wide open looks in corners and great finds by Mabe and Jones finding them.
“Really proud of my coaches, players and South community,” he added. “We have a great opportunity tomorrow night and face a tremendous challenge. Go Cards, hope to see a lot of Red and Black in the stands.”
Knox Central senior Halle Collins, who entered the game with more than 100 career double-doubles, recorded another one Friday night, finishing her impressive high school varsity career. She scored 14 points and finished with 12 rebounds while also surpassing former Jackson County star Sara Elliott’s 1,843 rebounding total during the game to become the 13th Region’s all-time leader in rebounds and third overall in state history.
Shelbie Mills scored 12 points while KcKenzie Hensley finished with seven points.
The Lady Panthers finished the game hitting 15-of-49 shot attempts, including going 1-of-from 3-point range.
South Laurel couldn’t have scripted a better start to begin the game, hitting four 3-pointers to take a 13-1 lead with 2:42 remaining in the opening quarter.
Collins knocked down Knox Central’s first field goal with 2:13 remaining to cut the Lady Panthers deficit to 15-3.
Buenaventura added a basket right before the end of the period to give the Lady Cardinals a 17-3 advantage entering the second quarter.
Knox Central began cutting into South Laurel’s lead in the second quarter as a basket by Collins and a 3-pointer by Smith made the score, 20-10, with four minutes remaining.
The Lady Cardinals answered with a basket by Mabe and then a 3-pointer by Mabe as South Laurel’s lead grew to 27-11 entering halftime.
The Lady Cardinals limited Knox Central to 4-of-20 shooting in the first half while turning in a 10-of-25 effort from the floor, which included going 5-of-7 from 3-point range.
South Laurel maintained its lead throughout the second half. The Lady Panthers cut their deficit to 11 and 10 points on multiple occasions in the fourth quarter but the Lady Cardinals managed to hold on and secure the win.
