Davonna Sydnor gave the Russellville Lady Panthers a 12-10 lead early in the second quarter Friday, and her team never trailed at Logan County again. It wasn’t easy, though. In fact, it took her free throw with 9.5 seconds to provide the difference in a 40-39 RHS win.
It was another Sydnor, Amber, however, who proved to be the true difference maker. Playing what may have been her last game ever against Logan, the six-year starter totaled 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the Lady Panthers to their second close win of 2013 against their crosstown rivals.
With the win, Russellville’s girls assured themselves of no worse than a number three seeding in the upcoming 13th District Tournament. It also means they won’t have to play top-seeded Franklin-Simpson in the first round of the tournament, which will be played at Franklin.
Coach Dedra Adler, who may be doing her best coaching job ever this season, said, “We stuck to our game plan. We convinced the girls if they will listen to what we tell them and carry it out, good things will happen.”
Khalia Hampton only scored seven points, but it was other stats which pleased her coach. “She had five steals to go along with her six rebounds. For a center to grab five steals while we’re in a zone shows that she had listened to what we said would happen and anticipated what was coming. We’re defense oriented and defense wins games.”
Logan had cut the lead to 16-14 when Abbey Hinton scored on an offensive rebound after she blocked a Lady Panther shot on the other end. Then Victoria Cates scored on an assist from Hinton. But Amber Sydnor’s late goal made the RHS lead 18-15 at the half. At the start of the second half, she hit a 3-pointer and Hampton got a free throw to fall to make it 23-15 with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter. For the rest of the period, the lead ranged from six to three points. Russellville was ahead 27-22 going into the final eight minutes.
After Logan pulled to within four, Amber hit two straight shots to make it 33-25. Hinton scored for Logan, and after Davonna Sydnor hit a free throw, the Lady Cougars’ Meagann Hardison got a long 3-pointer to tall with 1:20 remaining to make the lead 34-30. Just as they moved toward cutting the lead in two, Amber made a steal and drew a foul from Hardison. She joined Hinton and Laura Hunt with four fouls each. Sydnor hit both free throws.
Hardison cut the lead to four on a rebound shot, but Hampton and Amber Sydnor hit three free throws to build the lead to seven with 22.5 seconds. Hunt fouled out in the process.
The Lady Cougars didn’t give up. Hardison scored and the Lady Cougars forced a turnover on the inbounds play. Hinton was fouled by Hampton, who fouled out on the play. Hinton hit both free throws to cut the lead to three with 9.9 seconds.
Davonna Sydnor, who has struggled at the line much of the season, got one of two free throws to fall half a second later. Logan hustled down court and Hardison hit another long three to cut the lead to one with 3.6 seconds later. The Lady Cougars couldn’t stop the clock, and Russellville had the win.
Coach Scot MacAllister’s Lady Cougars were short-handed. They’ve been playing for a couple of weeks without freshman point guard Taleia Mason, who has a severe hamstring pull. She’s either started or been the first guard sub all season. Junior post player Katelyn Jones, who was a starter the first semester until Hinton was ruled eligible and then became the top sub, was also in street clothes because of illness.
Sophomore Kapreshia Powell limped most of the second half, and junior point guard Laura Hunt, who missed several games with injuries at mid-season and still plays in pain, was obviously hurting, especially after Shea Hampton landed on her in a collision with 6:11 showing in the third quarter.
“With Mason out and Hunt hurt, we’ve had to move Hardison to the point some, which limited her scoring,” Assistant Coach Zack Simpson said..He added the coaches hope to get Mason back by tournament time.
Cates played extensively as a result, and freshman Cierra Johnson came in to try to slow Amber Sydnor down at times.
Hinton led Logan in scoring with 11 points. Hardison had 8 and Megan Lindsey 7.
With the loss, Logan County finished 1-5 in the district and will play top-seeded Franklin-Simpson in the district opener. Russellville is 2-3 in the district and will play at Todd Central next Friday. The Lady Rebels are 3-2 in the district following a 49-44 win over Franklin Friday, the Lady Cats’ first district loss. RHS and Todd will meet in the district. The only thing the next game will decide is what color uniform the teams will wear and which side of the scoreboard their totals will be on.
The Lady Panthers, who lost 67-55 Saturday at Edmonson County, will entertain Fort Campbell Monday. The Lady Cougars don’t play again until Thursday when they go to University Heights Academy.
Score by quarters: 1) 8-8, 2) RHS 18-15, 3) 27-22, Final) Russellville 40, Logan County 39
RHS (40) Amber Sydnor 27, Khalia Hampton 7, Davonna Sydnor 3, Davonya Bryant 3, Natanshia Haskins, Shea Hampton
LCHS (39) Abbey Hinton 11, Meagann Hardison 8, Meagan Lindsey 7, Kapreshia Powell 4, Laura Hunt 3, Victoria Cates 3, Brooke Barnes 2, Cierra Johnson, Deja Thompson