After playing guest Logan County very close the first half, the Russellville Lady Panthers found themselves unable to compete evenly with a deep and talented Lady Cougar team in the second half Friday. As a result, Logan beat RHS 67-48 to seal the number two seed in the upcoming district tournament to be played on their home court.
When freshman Loreal Chaney hit a shot with 1:19 remaining in the half, she tied the score at 31-31. Logan scored the final five points of the half, including a goal on a nifty crossover move by senior point guard Laura Hunt. Khalia Hampton hit a shot about a half second after the buzzer had blown, so it didn’t count.
Devonya Bryant of Russellville hit the second half’s first bucket, but Coach Finley Woodard’s visitors scored the next 11 points, aided by a pair of assists from Maegann Hardison to Katelyn Jones and Brooke Barnes.
Hampton hit an 18-footer for RHS, but Kapreshia Powell scored two quick buckets on a length-of-the-court drive and a rebound shot, sandwiched around a basket by Barnes on an assist from Megan Lindsey. Highlights for the Lady Panthers included a 23-footer by Hampton and a goal by freshman reserve Denise Stovall.
The final Logan points came on a goal by freshman Jessica Hines on an assist from Deja Thompson.
“We were able to stay with them for a half, but we don’t have the depth to battle with them for an entire game,” said RHS coach Justin McClellan. “We rely on freshmen a lot. Loreal is our number two scorer, but she’s a freshman and she gets tired playing a complete game against competition like this.”
Senior Khalia Hampton continued to be a force for RHS, scoring 27 points.
Logan’s Powell had one of her best games ever with 17 points and 8 rebounds (both team highs) along with one each of assists, steals and blocked shots. Jones had 16 points and 7 rebounds—one behind Powell’s totals in both categories—plus two steals and a blocked shot. Barnes added 10 points and 4 rebounds. Hunt added 9 points, 5 assists and two steals. Hardison had a good all-around game, totaling 7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocked shots. Lindsey didn’t score by had 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocked shots.
Logan, which lost its first eight games, improved its record to 10-11 b y winning its ninth game in the last 11 starts. Those two losses are to F-S and to an Allen County-Scottsville, which has a 22-4 record but lost the region’s top-ranked player, Morgan Rich, for the season with a knee injury Friday.
The Lady Panthers fell to 1-16 overall and 0-5 in district games that count. They still can tie for third place in the district by winning at Todd Central Friday. The number three seed is important to stay away from Coach Josh Matthews’ Franklin-Simpson team, which is now 19-2 overall.
The Lady Cougars will celebrate Senior Night Tuesday when they join the Cougars in hosting Rossview of the Clarksville area. The senior girls are Jones, Hunt, Lindsey and Thompson.
Score by quarters: 1) LCHS 17-12, 2) 36-32, 3) 51-36, Final) Logan County 67, Russellville 48
LCHS (67) Kapreshia Powell 17, Katelyn Jones 16. Brooke Barnes, 10, Laura Hunt 9, Maegann Hardison 7, Taleia Mason 4,Dea Thompson 2, Jessica Hines 2, Megan Lindsey, Rachel Barnett, Cierra Johnson, Logan Williamson
RHS (48) Khalia Hampton 27, Devonya Bryant 7, Davonna Sydnor 6, Loreal Chaney 5, Denise Stovall 2, DeShale LeBlanc 1, Shea Hampton, Malynn Ray, Harley Stevenson, Lexie Day