PINEVILLE — The Bell County Lady Bobcats punched their ticket to the Kentucky 2A, Section 7 championship game with a dominant 57-29 victory over Whitley County on Monday.
Bell County improved to 12-1 on the season with the semifinal win while Whitley County saw its season record fall to 5-7.
Kairi Lamb delivered another standout effort for the Lady Bobcats, scoring 19 points and pulling down 14 rebounds to lead the way on both ends of the floor.
Bell County controlled the contest from the opening tip, never trailing while building separation as the game wore on.
Clinging to a narrow lead midway through the third quarter, Bell County rattled off a 16-point run to put the game out of reach.
The momentum carried into the fourth quarter, where the Lady Bobcats delivered their most dominant stretch of the night, outscoring Whitley County 18-2 to close out the victory.
Defense fueled Bell County’s win, as the Lady Bobcats blocked six shots and recorded 11 steals while holding Whitley County to just two points in the final period. Bell County also controlled the glass, finishing with 30 rebounds with Lamb leading the effort.
Aubree Miracle added eight points for Bell County while Lyla Scearce scored six. Nevaeh Allen and Bristal Jordan each chipped in five points. Rachel Redmond and Brylee Redmond finished with four points apiece while Mattie Hatfield and Gracie Barton added three points each.
Jonna Rice led Whitley County with 13 points while hitting four 3-pointers. Maddy Hopkins had 10 points, Cristen Siler had four points, and Jaylee Cox finished with two points.
“We played one really good half of basketball, but that’s not good enough against a good team like Bell,” Whitley County coach Ronnie Collier said. “I thought defensively that we couldn’t have played them any better. We just have to getter better offensively, and that starts by getting better individually. I need to do a better job substituting because we got tired in the second half. I love our girls though, and I feel like we are going in the right direction. We will get back in the gym and try to getter tomorrow. Go Colonels.”
