Bella McConnell scored 21 points and Caldwell County hit 6 of 6 free throws in the final 27 seconds to hold off Hopkins County Central 55-48 in girls’ 7th District basketball action Tuesday night at the CAB gym in Princeton.
The Lady Tigers (7-5 overall, 2-0 district) led by as much as 15 points in the first half. Caldwell still led by 13 late in the third period and took a 42-32 advantage to the final stanza.
But Hopkins Central (3-8, 1-2) made a push in the final frame opening the quarter with six straight points to get within 42-38 following a bucket from inside by Keli Reynolds.
A 3-pointer by Parris Gray helped Caldwell halt the Lady Storm momentum momentarily, but Hopkins Central kept chipping away.
A 15-footer by Kire Peyton had the Lady Storm within 47-45 with 2:18 to play.
Madison Grigg was then fouled on her way to the basket. She hit the second of two free throws to make it 47-46 at the 2:07 mark.
Caldwell gained a little breathing room when McConnell got loose inside and scored to give the Lady Tigers a 49-46 lead with 45 seconds to play.
Following a Hopkins Central miss, McConnell was fouled and hit both free throws at the 0:27 mark. That extended the margin to five.
Hopkins Central stayed in it when Brianna Fritz scored on a drive to the basket with 21 seconds left. That made it 51-48.
But McConnell made two more free throws at the 0:19 mark.
Following a Lady Storm turnover, Morgan McDaniels hit two more charity tosses with 11 seconds to go to salt the game away.
McConnell finished with 21 points and nine rebounds to lead Caldwell. Majah Hollowell had nine points and seven boards while Karsyn Parker grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to go with one point.
Grigg had 13 points to pace Hopkins Central. Peyton added 12.
The Lady Tigers and the Lady Storm will hook up again Feb. 4 in Mortons Gap.
Hopkins Central 7 11 14 16 — 48
Caldwell County 17 14 11 13 — 55
Hopkins Central (3-8, 1-2) — Grigg 13, Peyton 12, Fritz 9, Reynolds 6, Hollis 4, Jones 2, Caldwell 2.
Caldwell County (7-5, 2-0) — McConnell 21, M. Hollowell 9, Boyd 8, A.J. Hollowell 7, Goffinet 4, Gray 3, McDaniels 2, Parker 1.
