They had to overcome a feisty performance from the UHA Lady Blazers to get it done, but the make it eight straight trips to the girls’ 8th District championship game for the Christian County Lady Colonels. The Lady Colonels advanced to Wednesday night’s final by dispatching a very game University Heights squad 59-43 in the second game of the night Monday at Colonel Gym.
UHA opened the game in a 2-3 zone, and it took the Lady Colonels out of their rhythm early. The Lady Blazers were able to limit Christian County to just three field goal in the first eight minutes, as UHA took the early 8-6 lead after one.
The game stayed a tight and very physical battle through the second quarter as well. There were three lead changes over the quarter, before Christian County closed out the half on a 6-1 spurt to take a 23-19 lead into the locker room at the break. Peri Brown had a big quarter to help get the Lady Colonels to the lead, scoring 7 of her 9 first half points in the quarter.
For a while in the third quarter, it looked like Christian County was about ready to put the game away. With a big quarter from Mikayah Killebrew, the Lady Colonels used a 10-2 run midway through the quarter to go up by nine at 38-29. However, the Lady Blazers would not go away quite that easy. UHA scored the final six points of the quarter to cut the lead to 38-35 headed into the final eight minutes.
Things really got interesting as Mallory Rager scored to open the final quarter and cut the lead to one at 38-37. Peri Brown continued her big night for the Lady Colonels, and Christian County got some key play from Reni Shemwell and Eniya McGee, which helped move the lead out to nine at 50-41 with 3:44 left. The Lady Blazers had chances to chew into the lead in the final quarter, but struggled to knock down shots at the free throw line.
UHA was then forced to try and kick up the tempo as the clock became an enemy in the contest. With the faster pace, the Christian County defense forced a couple of key turnovers later in the game. The Lady Colonels were then able to hold the Lady Blazers at bay to pick up the win.
Amari Brown led the way for Christian County, finishing with 18 points. Mikayah Killebrew was the other Lady Colonel to reach double figures with 14. Eniya McGee just missed getting into double figures with 9 points.
For the Lady Blazers, Lily Hendricks, in her final game, scored 12 points. Meghan Adams finished with 10 points and had a strong night down in the paint. Briana Daniel finished the night with seven points.
The win improves Christian County to 12-16 on the season and guarantees the Lady Colonels a berth in the girls’ 2nd Region tournament, which will be played at Christian County High School.
UHA sees their season come to an end with a record of 7-20.
Christian County and Hopkinsville will play for the championship Wednesday evening at 7:00.
SCORE BY QUARTER
CCHS (12-16) 6 17 15 21 – 59
UHA (7-20) 8 11 16 8 – 43
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
CCHS: Catlett-Watkins 4, Killebrew 14, Brown 18, Day 2, McGee 9, Forte 4, Bell 1, Shemwell 7
UHA: Daniel 7, Adams 10, Hendricks 12, Dailey 6, Miller 2, Rager 6
