Booneville, Ky – February 13, 2024 – Deron Mays
Owsley County made three consecutive 3 point shots and led Hazard 9-0 in the opening 1:14 of the game, and then made two more within a three minute span. In the first quarter Carly Smith had three treys, Laya Lynch one and Kenzie Grubb, who was starting at guard due to the absence of Addie Terry who had a stomach virus, had one. The Lady Owls led 23-12 after one quarter and didn’t slow down into the second quarter.
When they weren’t knocking down 3’s they were getting the ball inside to 6’2 Macey Brown for scores. And Shelby Murray and Brown controlled the boards with with rebound after rebound.
Owsley led 44-25 at halftime and had already accumulated six 3 pointers. They continued the onslaught through the third quarter, winning that period 21-7 and go on to rack up their 20th win of the season with only 6 defeats. The 71-39 victory that gave them 20 wins marks the fifth consecutive year they have won 20 or more games in a season.
Overall it was a very solid performance for the Lady Owls. Smith, Lynch and Grubb combined for ten 3 point makes. The team now has 202 three pointers for the season, one of the top teams in the state in the category.
Smith controlled the flow of the game and I don’t have stats but I’m sure she had at least 10 assists. And the team played an aggressive defense that forced the Lady Bulldogs into numerous turnovers. Everything added up to a 32 point victory and a confidence builder heading into the final games of the regular season.
Owsley has a challenging game Thursday at Letcher Central, an old nemesis that knocked them out of a trip to Rupp two years ago in an overtime 1 point last second basket in the regional championship game, and also rendered a 4 point loss last year to the maroon and white in the opening round of the regional tournament. The team will be at home Saturday vs Perry Central, a team that gave them their only regional loss this season in an overtime game in December at Perry Central. And next Monday they will travel to London to take on top 10 state powerhouse North Laurel.
Scoring for Owsley:
Carly Smith 20, Macey Brown 19, Laya Lynch 15, Kenzie Grubb 10, Shelby Murray 5
Scoring for Hazard:
Everidge 10, Frohnapfel 10, Eddington 9, Caudill 6, Davidson 2, Combs 2
