The Christian County Lady Colonels played solid, stingy defense, had a strong effort on both the offensive and defensive boards, and out muscled the Calloway County Lady Lakers Friday night. Now, if only more shots from the field and the free throw line would have gone through the net.
After trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half, the Lady Colonels rallied to as close as one point in the fourth quarter, before the Lady Lakers held on to pick up a 54-45 win. While 8th grader Skylar Waller had 29 points, it was big plays down the stretch by senior Elle Carson that enabled Calloway County to find a way to hold on for the win.
After Christian County had closed to within 43-42 in the fourth, Carson had a game clinching stretch of basket, basket, and assist to push the lead out to 49-42 and effectively close out the game.
Early on, it looked as if it would be an easy night for the Lady Lakers. Calloway County jumped out to an 8-2 lead. When the opening quarter ended the Lady Lakers were up 17-9. Skylar Waller was on fire early, scoring 11 of the Lady Lakers’ 17 points.
Waller continued her hot start in the second quarter for Calloway County. She would add 11 more in the second quarter as the Lady Lakers went to halftime with a 35-27 lead. The Lady Colonels were able to hang around the opening half thanks to big efforts from Reni Shemwell and Anaysia Bagwell, who combined to score 19 first half points.
The third quarter saw Christian County’s defense limit Calloway County to just six points, however, the Lady Colonels were not able to make much headway as they struggled to get the ball to go through the net. When the quarter ended, the Lady Lakers were still holding to a six point lead at 41-35.
Christian County’s defense was smothering at times during the second half, thanks to the efforts of Shemwell, Peri Brown, Destinee Catlett-Watkins, Treliyah Thomas, Sarah Harris, NaVaeh Day, and Mikayah Killebrew.
With the defense cranked up, the Lady Colonels opened the final quarter on a 7-2 run to close within 43-42, but they could not get to the lead, in big part thanks to the late game heroics of Calloway’s Elle Carson.
For the night, Christian County was led by Reni Shemwell with 16 points and 13 rebounds. 7th grader Anaysia Bagwell had a big effort at the point and finished with 9 points, while Peri Brown chipped in with eight.
Shooting woes doomed the Lady Colonels’ comeback effort. For the night, Christian County shot just 20 of 71 from the field for 28.2 percent. Those troubles continued at the line, where the Lady Colonels were 3 of 14.
Calloway County’s Skylar Waller ended up with 29 points. Elle Carson also reached double figures with 13.
Christian County drops to 2-2 on the season. The Lady Colonels are set to return to action Tuesday at University Heights.
Calloway County improves to 8-2, and is set to be back on the court Saturday afternoon at Owensboro.
Calloway — 17 18 6 13 – 54
Christian — 9 18 8 10 – 45
Calloway County (8-2) – Waller 29, Carson 13, Lowe 6, Clark 4, Schumacher 2
Christian County (2-2) – Shemwell 16, Bagwell 9, Brown 8, Day 4, Catlett-Watkins 2, Killebrew 2, Thomas 2, Harris 2
