ASHLAND —
Defense and rebounding generally come down to just one factor. Effort.
Effort is normally the defining characteristic of every Kristy Orem-coached Fleming County team.
Even matching the relentless pressure of the Panthers is a tough task, so to surpass it is something special. Ashland was able to accomplish just that on Thursday night at James A. Anderson Gym in a 67-47 win on Senior Night.
The Kittens forced Fleming County into 22 turnovers and dominated the backboards.
“It is really hard to outwork a team coached by Kristy Orem. That is her staple,” Ashland coach Bill Bradley said. “They outwork everybody, and we told them that before the game to not get outworked. There is no way that we got outworked tonight.”
The always fiery Orem agreed. Her team simply did not match the effort of Ashland, especially early, she said.
“They outworked us. They beat us to loose balls. Rebounds and loose balls drive me crazy,” Orem said. “Anybody can do those things. I literally can bring people in this gym in and they can do those things to help a team win.”
Seven Kitten seniors were recognized, and Bradley took the opportunity to give two normal reserves, Cayce Layne and Breanna Gransberry, the chance to start.
The two combined to score just six points, but it was their effort that Bradley said fueled the team early.
“They don’t normally start and they were out there diving for loose balls, and the ones who normally start saw that and kind of took it from there,” Bradley said. “We just took it to them tonight.”
The Ashland defense was especially effective in the first half, when it forced Fleming County into 13 miscues and held the Panthers to just 5-of-18 shooting.
Leading 16-11 after one quarter, Ashland started the second frame on a 18-2 run, thanks to 16 straight points form super sophomores Alexis Robinson and Haley Sue Foutch.
Foutch finished with 14 points, while Robinson added nine.
Needless to say Orem was none too pleased with her team’s defensive effort during the stretch.
“The second quarter sucked,” she said. “I really couldn’t believe what I was watching, because I have watched us grow as the year has went on and we have gotten a lot better. But tonight in the second quarter it was like we gave up or quit.”
Fleming County (12-10) played much better in the second half, outscoring Ashland 29-25, but it was not nearly enough.
Shayla Robinson led the Panthers in scoring with 14.
Ashland (18-5) was led by senior Madison Jones, who finished with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field.
More of a pass-first player, Bradley wishes she would look for her shot more.
“I wish she would shoot more,” he said. “She is so passing-minded, and she is a great passer, but we need her to score like that, especially in the tournament.”
Sydney Cullop notched a double-double for the Kittens with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Local Sports
Kittens handle the pressure
Ashland smothers Fleming County into 22 turnovers in win
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63rd softball: Greenup leans on bunting, baserunning; Russell wins
Immersed in another district contest with little breathing room, Greenup County softball coach Eric Keeton resorted to the strengths of his lineup: bunting and baserunning.
Two bunts and a swinging bunt helped the Lady Musketeers scratch across three runs in the fifth inning of a 6-2 victory over Raceland in the 63rd District Tournament opening round on Monday night at Russell High School. Top-seeded Russell defeated Lewis County, also 6-2, earlier in the evening. -
Boyd pounds out 11 hits to go along with Grimm’s shutout, 14-0
Robbie Shivel might be a little sore after Monday night, but it was Fairview that left the game battered and bruised.
Boyd County belted out 11 hits to go along with Dylan Grimm's complete-game gem as the Lions roared past Fairview, 14-0, in the opening round of the 64th District Tournament at Ashland's Alumni Field. The game lasted five innings. -
Different look, same results for Lady Lions
A longtime fixture in the 64th District softball championship game, Boyd County looked different this return trip.
The Lady Lions defeated Fairview 10-5 in Monday’s district semifinal, which doubled as an Autism Awareness Night. Boyd County players wore light blue shirts and colorful, jigsaw puzzle socks for the event, which had to be rescheduled more than once due to weather problems. -
Musketeers explode in final 2 innings to beat Raceland; good times continue for Lewis
Through the first four innings of its 63rd District Tournament opener, Greenup County found itself hitless. The Musketeers made up for it over the next two innings.
Greenup County scored eight runs on eight hits in the final two innings to defeat Raceland, 9-1, at Russell High School on Monday. -
The will to win
Opponents get the same look from Emily Stewart whether it’s softball, basketball or soccer season.
Steely eyed and lips pursed, the Boyd County senior is keenly focused and all business between the lines. -
THE WEEKLY CYCLE: Holding the key to upset city?
It takes only one game. Few are more firm believers in that fact than the small schools that find themselves in underdog roles year after year.
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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. -
Womack eliminated in state semis; Rose Hill, Russell doubles also ousted
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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63rd softball: Greenup leans on bunting, baserunning; Russell wins
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