Breathitt Senior Amy Brewer pours in 32 to bring District Title back to Jackson
Campton, Kentucky, February 22nd – Brendon D. Miller, Bluegrass Sports Nation
How things end are not necessarily how they begin. Nothing could be more true than this statement, especially when applied to the 2019 edition of the 55th District Girls Championship game. It looked as though this one might be called at the end of the 1st Quarter, as District #1 Seed, and 14th Region All-A Classic Champions, Wolfe County, raced out to a 11-4 lead to begin the game. The Lady Wolves had several opportunities in the early going to make the deficit greater as they failed to convert multiple opportunities. District Player of the Year, Hailey Smith, knocked down six of her 15 for the game in the period.
Breathitt began their comeback in the 2nd Quarter as Lady Cat Senior Amy Brewer began her assault on the score book for the night with eight of the Lady Cat’s 14 in the quarter on strong drives to the basket. Wolfe was able to retain the lead throughout the quarter, and at the half, almost solely due to the sharp shooting of Senior Allison Stamper. Stamper had three triples in the period for nine of the Lady Wolves’ 11. Brewer converted a field goal just before half to set the tally at 22-18 Wolfe.
After the half, Coach Misty McAlarnis’ Lady Cats began their run to the title with an 11-0 streak to start the half. Again it was Stamper who broke the run with her fourth threeball to give the Lady Wolves back some momentum. However, Brewer continually drove and scored on short jumpers for 11 of the team’s 15 in the period. Asked about Brewer’s performance on the night during post-game, McAlarnis replied, “That is what Senior’s do.” Indeed. Breathitt applied defensive intensity forcing with multiple forced turnovers, and Adreonna Schutz played rim protector in the lane. Breathitt pulled ahead for the first time at the 6:57 mark and led 33-30 headed to the 4th.
Breathitt capped the game turnaround in the 4th, outscoring the Lady Wolves 24-16 behind 11 more from Brewer to cap her spectacular night, and four from the line by fellow Senior Hannah Griffith. The final margin was 11 at 57-56. A wild celebration ensued and the Lady Cats received the Championship hardware and brought it back to the Fairce O. Woods Coliseum.
Scoring summary:
BREATHITT: Team: 1st Quarter 18; 2nd Quarter 14; 3rd Quarter 15; 4th Quarter 24; Total 57. Individual – Amy Brewer 32; Adreonna Schutz 8; Hannah Griffith 6; Kaylea Ritchie 4; Kaylee Clemons 2; Kenzie Robertson 2; Brianna Henson 2; and Bayleigh Miller 1.
WOLFE: Team – 1st Quarter 11; 2nd Quarter 11; 3rd Quarter 8; 4th Quarter 16; Total 46. Individual – Allison Stamper 18; Hailey Smith 15; Maggie Creech 6; Cala Gross 3; Breanna Colwell 3; and Madison Neeley 1.
Breathitt improved to 18-12 on the year and will take on either Owsley County, Buckhorn, or Knott Central in the Regional Next week. Wolfe is now 22-10 and will face either Letcher Central, Hazard, or Powell County in the Regional. The 14th Region will be in Jackson at the Woods Coliseum on Wednesday and Thursday the 27th and 28th, and the Semi-finals and Finals will be on Monday and Tuesday the 4th and 5th. The Drawing will be Sunday at 2:00 from Breathitt County, and BSN will bring you the pairings and full coverage of the Tournament next week.
