WILLIAMSBURG — Clay County’s Lauryn Sizemore delivered when it mattered most.
With the game tied and just seconds remaining, Sizemore knocked down the game-winning shot with two seconds left to lift the Lady Tigers to a thrilling 52-50 victory over Whitley County despite without starter Carly Fultz.
“Any win on the road is a great one,” Clay County coach Gemma Parks said. “I’m proud of the girls for pulling it out. Being without Carly inside today was a big loss, but we had a lot of girls step up. We had to play with 5 guards for most of the game so rebounding put us in a bind, but I’m so proud of the girls for fighting and pulling it out.”
The win pushes Clay County to 13-11 while Whitley County falls to 10-11.
The game was tight throughout, featuring multiple ties and momentum swings.
Clay County built a 15-13 lead after the first quarter and carried a 28-18 edge into halftime after holding Whitley County to just five second-quarter points.
Whitley County fought back in the third, cutting into the deficit as both teams entered the fourth with Clay holding a slim 39-31 advantage.
The Lady Colonels made their push in the final period, outscoring Clay County 19-13 in the fourth quarter to tie the game late before Sizemore’s heroics.
Clay County was led by Madison Pendland with 16 points while Kenzie Grubb added 14 points. Sizemore finished with nine points, none bigger than the final basket. Maci White chipped in five points, and Harper Rice added six points.
Clay County shot well from the free-throw line, going 13-of-15.
Maddy Hopkins led Whitley County with 18 points and 12 rebounds while hitting 10-of-15 free throw attempts. Jonna Rice had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
“We came out and got down early,” Whitley County coach Ronnie Collier said. “It took us all game to recover, and we just came up short. Our girls got down 12 in the fourth quarter, but we kept fighting. I made a bad decision by not calling timeout our last possession. I love our team though, and we will get back at it Monday and Tuesday with tough road games at Harlan and South Laurel. Go Colonels.”
