FRENCHBURG —
It was not pretty, but that is how Rowan County girls basketball coach Jenn Williams drew it up.
The Lady Vikings defeated Bath County 41-37 on Wednesday at Menifee County High School to advance to the 61st District championship and clinch a spot in next week’s 16th Region Tournament.
“I overcoached us in the first half,” Williams said. “Our kids were doing what I was asking but they were overthinking. In the second half, we played our (type of game) and that’s what made us successful.”
In a game in which defense controlled the tempo, Rowan (15-13) took advantage of 21 Lady Cat turnovers and converted them to 20 points.
“We’ve had a lot of games like that season,” junior Faith Conn said. “We played to win and now we advance to Friday and have a chance to play in Region.” She finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Bath County (15-11) took the lead late in the fourth quarter on an Amber Martin 3-point field goal. Bath County’s lone senior finished with a team-high 12 points, but Rowan County went for 20 points in the fourth — the Lady Vikings had 21 through the first three quarters — to stay alive and end the Lady Cats’ season.
“We missed some 50-50 balls and had some crucial turnovers down the stretch that really hurt us,” Bath County coach Troy Lee Thomas said. “That’s the game sometimes.”
Throughout that fourth quarter, the Lady Vikings connected on five straight baskets, capped off by a Hannah Bandura layup, who started in place of starter Becca Duff (illness). That gave Rowan County a 37-33 advantage. Bandura finished with eight points, eight rebounds and five steals. Rowan County then went 4 of 7 down the stretch at the free-throw line for the final margin.
“We had some rotation issues from a rhythm standpoint,” Williams said. “Hannah was huge though and she played with a lot of confidence and played a big defensive game.”
Rowan County will face Fleming County on Friday night for the district crown. The Lady Panthers defeated Menifee County on Wednesday. Rowan County and Fleming County split its regular season meetings. The Panthers won theirs on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer on Jan. 28.
“We feel like we owe them one,” Williams said. “We missed free throws down the stretch and an offensive board that helped set up that shot. ... We will be ready to go.”
ROWAN 10 5 8 16 — 41
BATH 8 5 6 20 — 37
Rowan County (41) — Bandura 8, Helvey 2, F. Conn 14, T. Conn 12, Justice 4, Plank 4. 3-Pt. FG: 3-11. FT: 8-12. PF: 13.
Bath County (37) — Porter 7, Rogers 1, Martin 12, Price 9, Sparks 8. 3-Pt. FG: 5-18. FT: 6-9. PF: 13.
Local Sports
Rowan girls get results
Conn sisters combine for 26 in defeat of Bath Co.
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Locals struggle to make impact
Some days you are the windshield and some days you are the bug.
It is a saying that proved to be all too true for Rowan County on Friday night at the KHSAA Class 2A State Track and Field Championships at the University of Louisville’s Owsley Frazier Cardinal Park. -
Rough Ending
Fairview senior Kennedy Womack wasn’t her consistent self in Saturday morning’s state tennis semifinals at the University of Kentucky’s Hilary Boone Tennis Complex.
As a result, the top seed fell to Lexington Sayre sophomore Madeline Rolph 6-1, 6-0.
Womack was obviously disappointed with her finish, especially after losing in last year’s state finals, but she was happy for her good friend Rolph. -
FLYING HIGH
If Fairview could have fielded a combined track and field team at Saturday’s Class A State Track and Field Championships, the Eagles and Lady Eagles would have had a record day. Instead, the Fairview girls had to “settle” for fifth, while the boys’ claimed 10th.
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Womack eliminated in semifinals
Top-seeded Kennedy Womack was eliminated in the semifinals of the State Tournament on Saturday at the University of Kentucky tennis courts.
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Big-inning Dawgs
It looked for a while that a questionable call may have determined the outcome of the game, but in the end, it was just an afterthought.
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Boyd County finds senior spark
Losers of four straight, Boyd County was searching for something positive Friday night before beginning postseason play Monday night.
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Doubles teams head to semis at state tourney
With rain staying away, the KHSAA State Tennis Tournament got into full swing on Friday afternoon.
Semifinals and finals will be held today at the University of Kentucky Boone/Downing Tennis Complex for boys and girls singles competitions. -
McKnight hurdling to Georgetown
Fairview’s Paige McKnight is known for jumping hurdles. She cleared a pretty big one on Thursday.
In front of friends and family at Fairview Elementary School, McKnight signed a letter of intent to run track for Georgetown College. -
Several area schools will be represented at State Track and Field championships
Local track and field athletes are ready to try to carry region competition success onto the state stage.
Several area schools will be represented at this weekend’s State Track and Field championships at the University of Louisville. The Class 2A meet is set for today at 3:15 p.m. and Class A competition is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 8:15 a.m. -
EAST KENTUCKY BASKETBALL HISTORY: Reflections on 'The Shot'
Paintsville High School legend J.R. VanHoose is also an eastern Kentucky basketball sports historian. This is one in an ongoing series of stories.
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