Not even a slow start could derail the 2nd Region’s best team.
Webster County, coming back just two days after gaining a big win at 6th District rival Henderson County, shook off a subpar opening quarter on Thursday night and went on to defeat Caldwell County 65-30 in the quarterfinal round of the girls’ Kentucky 2A Championships Section I Tournament in Dixon.
Caldwell (7-9) took advantage of Webster’s early shooting woes to grab a 4-2 lead on back-to-back baskets by Bella McConnell and Peyton Young.
The Lady Trojans (17-2) made just one field goal over the first 6 minutes of the contest, but used a 9-0 run after falling behind to take the lead for good.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers battled poor shooting of their own and struggled to take care of the basketball against Webster’s in-your-face defense.
After briefly getting the lead in the first quarter, Caldwell managed just one field goal over the next 10 minutes.
That allowed Webster to open up a 27-12 lead following a 3-pointer by Marissa Austin with 26 seconds left in the first half.
Jada Boyd knocked down a 17-footer for Caldwell with 11 seconds remaining in the second quarter, but Webster took a 27-14 advantage to the locker room at the break.
The Lady Trojans then seized control of the contest with a 10-0 run to open the second half — bookended by 3s by Marissa Austin and Mariah Austin.
Webster led 49-21 after three quarters and went up by as mutes 38 points late in the contest.
Marissa Austin led a balanced Webster scoring attack with 13 points. Alyssa Payne and Raigan Price had 12 apiece. Karlie Keeney and Mariah Austin scored nine each.
Caldwell’s leading scorer was Bella McConnell with seven points. Majah Hollowell and Jacey Jaggers scored five points apiece.
Webster advances to a Saturday semifinal contest against Allen County-Scottsville in the Kentucky 2A Championships. That game will take place at Hopkins County Central.
Caldwell County next hosts Calloway County (14-2 entering play Thursday night) on Monday at the CAB gym.
