Kaitlyn Zieba knocked down two huge 4th quarter three pointers as the Madisonville Lady Maroons advanced on to the Girls 2nd Region championship game with a 53-45 win over Webster County Friday night at Christian County High School. The win put the Lady Maroons in the title game for the first time since 2010.
The first quarter was highlighted by tough, hard-nosed defense at both ends of the court. Madisonville used a 7-2 run early in the first quarter to take a 9-4 lead. However, the Lady Trojans rebounded with a 10-3 run of their own to close out the quarter to take a 14-12 lead after the opening eight minutes. Marissa Austin knocked down two big threes for Webster County to help the Lady Trojans get to the lead.
The game was tied at 2-2. 9-9, and 12-12 over the course of the first quarter.
The tough, physical play continued as the second quarter got underway, with neither team giving an inch. The game would be tied at 14-14, 16-16, and 18-18 early in the quarter. Webster County then took advantage of Madisonville turnvovers to go on a 7-0 run and take a 25-18 lead. Raigan Price played a key role in the run.
Webster County looked to have the Lady Maroons teetering on the brink, up seven and with the ball, and Coach Brock Stone calling for his team to take the last shot of the half. However, the Lady Trojans threw up a quick shot, and before Stone could blink, Madisonville scored the last five points of the half to cut the lead to 25-23.
Raigan Price had a solid half for Webster County with 10 points. Lindsey Peyton and Camryn LaGrange each had 9 first half points for Madisonville.
Not much changed in the game to start the second half. Madisonville cranked up the heat a bit in their 1-3-1 half court trap and forced a couple of early turnovers from the Lady Trojans. Camryn LaGrange’s left corner three two minutes into the second half put Madisonville back in front 26-25.
As time continued to tick off the clock, both teams appeared to tighten up a bit, with the enormity of the moment beginning to move in. Intensity continued to climb off the chart, with plenty of physical play and bodies on the court it seemed like every trip down the floor.
With the game tied at 27-27, Madisonville made a move to try and seize control of the game. The Lady Maroons ripped off a 7-0 run to go up 34-27. However, Webster County was able to score the final four points of the quarter to cut it to 34-31 entering the final eight minutes.
Madisonville opened the final quarter pushing the lead to six at 39-33 after Courtney Peyton drilled a corner three pointer. The Lady Trojans would not go down withouth a fight however. Webster County cut the margin to 42-39. Then, it was “Z” time, or more specifically Kaitlyn Zieba time The Madisonville sophomore did not play like a sophomore, as she drilled two corner threes in a 45 second span to extend the Madisonville lead to 48-41.
The Lady Maroons were then able to knock down free throws to secure the eight point win, and their berth in Saturday night’s championship game.
Camryn LaGrange had a stellar night for the Lady Maroons, coming up with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Lindsey Peyton added 11 points. Kaitlyn Zieba ended up with 7 points, including the two huge late game three pointers.
Webster County was led by Adeline McDyer with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Raigan Price finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Marissa Austin, in her final game for the Lady Trojans, scored 9 points.
One of the big keys to the game ended up being rebounding, as the Lady Maroons outrebonded Webster County 40-27. Turnovers were even, with each team committing 14.
The win improves Madisonville to 29-1 on the year, and moves the Lady Maroons into the regional final Saturday evening at 6:00.
Webster County ends their season at 17-11, and as 6th District champions.
TEAM SCORING
MNHHS (29-1) 12 11 11 19 – 53
WCHS (17-11) 14 11 6 14 – 45
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
MNHHS: LaGrange 22, C. Peyton 5, L. Peyton 11, Franklin 2, Lovan 6, Zieba 7
WCHS: Marissa Austin 9, McDyer 18, Price 12, Browder 2, Cates 2, P. Shepherd 2
