The Christian County Lady Colonels will be the top seed when the 8th District tournament gets underway in just over two weeks. The Lady Colonels locked up the top spot by knocking off the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers 61-48 Friday night at Tiger Gym.
The game was intense and full of energy from the very start, with tight defense and players hitting the floor on both ends of the court. The difference in the first half turned out to be Hopkinsville struggling from the field and having trouble with ball security. The Lady Tigers committed nine turnovers during the first half of play.
Christian County opened fast, jumping out to a 7-1 lead on four early points by Aaliyah Hampton. The Lady Tigers battled back and cut the lead to three at 10-7. Coach Kiki Radford rotated defenses with her team throughout the first half, and late in the 1st quarter it really began to pay off. The Lady Colonels scored the final seven points of the quarter, four on steals and baskets by Hampton to make it 17-7 after one.
Christian County opened the second quarter on a 6-0 spurt to complete a 13-0 run that covered 3:46 of game time, as the Lady Colonels extended the margin to 23-7 with 5:34 to go in the half. With some solid play from Eniya McGeee, Christian County would lead by as many as 18 points in the 2nd quarter. Hopkinsville made a move late in the half, thanks to two long three pointers from Jakalyla Epps, and cut the lead to 30-17 at the half.
The Lady Tigers came out of the locker room at the beginning of the 3rd quarter looking like they were ready to make a run to get back in the game. Hopkinsville cut the lead to ten at 34-24 with 5:10 to go in the quarter. Christian County then responded with a 10-2 run of their own to push the lead back out to 44-26. Again, it was the play of Hampton and McGee that were key for the Lady Colonels. Hopkinsville was able to cut the lead to 12, at 46-34 as the quarter ended.
Behind the efforts of Jayla Rose, the Lady Tigers tried to make one last push at the beginning of the 4th quarter. However, Hopkinsville could get no closer than ten points, at 49-39. Christian County responded with a 6-0 run to go up 55-39 and effectively seal the win.
Aaliyah Hampton led the way for Christian County with 27 points. Bianna Snorton added 17, while Eniya McGee chipped in with 10 points.
Hopkinsville was paced by Breon Oldham with 12 points. Areonna Day came off the bench to score nine points on three 3-pointers. Jayla Rose added 8 points for Hopkinville.
The Lady Colonels improve to 13-7 overall and 5-0 in the district. Hopkinsville falls to 14-12 and 3-2.