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<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CORBIN \u2014 Another stellar defensive effort played a big role in South Laurel punching its ticket to Saturday night\u2019s 13th Region Girls\u2019 Tournament championship game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tod Windlan\u2019s squad was led Maci Messer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought our defensive effort and execution was tremendous in first half,\u201d Windlan said. \u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReally proud of my coaches, players and South community,\u201d he added. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s 1,843 rebounding total during the game to become the 13th Region\u2019s all-time leader in rebounds and third overall in state history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shelbie Mills scored 12 points while KcKenzie Hensley finished with seven points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Panthers finished the game hitting 15-of-49 shot attempts, including going 1-of-from 3-point range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Laurel couldn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Collins knocked down Knox Central\u2019s first field goal with 2:13 remaining to cut the Lady Panthers deficit to 15-3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buenaventura added a basket right before the end of the period to give the Lady Cardinals a 17-3 advantage entering the second quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knox Central began cutting into South Laurel\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Cardinals answered with a basket by Mabe and then a 3-pointer by Mabe as South Laurel\u2019s lead grew to 27-11 entering halftime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n