By Matt Fultz -- For the Independent
ASHLAND — The Ashland Kittens opened the second quarter with a 15-3 run and never looked back, defeating the Boyd County Lady Lions, 61-38, Saturday afternoon at James A. Anderson Gym.
“I thought our defense was what caused it, they really picked it up,” said Ashland coach Bill Bradley. “We said before the game, our defense and our intensity is what we wanted to work on.”
Paige Leaver got the run going with a pair of 3-pointers and Kaylyn Gambill capped it off with a three of her own. Leaver finished the game with 11 points, all of which came in the first half.
“We came in with a game plan to try and eliminate (Katelyn) Connor and (Chelsea) Dietrich and make the other kids make shots,” said Boyd County coach Pete Fraley. “With that team there you have to pick and choose, and we tried to take away what we thought were their two best players. The other kids stepped up and hurt us.”
After leading 37-17 at halftime, the Kittens outscored the Lady Lions 13-3 in the third quarter.
Again Bradley praised his team’s defensive effort.
“Holding them to 20 points through three quarters, I think that was the key to the ball game,” Bradley said. “Last game and this game we have really picked it up defensively in the third quarter.”
This time it was Dietrich and Connor that got the offense going, scoring six and four points, respectively, in the quarter.
Dietrich continually got to the rim and was able to finish through contact. She led the Kittens with 12 points.
“She is so strong now,” said Bradley. “She has been starting since seventh grade, when she was a little scrawny thing. Now she has a little muscle to her and can put it in. She is just a great competitor.”
The Lady Lions were able to get some offense going in the final period. They outscored the Kittens 18-11, with reserves playing most of the minutes for both sides.
Boyd County was led offensively by senior Holly Jude, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The game was delayed approximately 20 minutes midway through the fourth quarter to tend to Boyd County forward Nicole Goins. Goins hit the back of her head on the floor and was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.
“She will be fine,” said Fraley. “She was having some neck pain, so it was better to be safe than sorry.”
