For the third time in four years, the Logan County Lady Cougars are champions of the FSNB Christmas Classic. Despite giving up five points on a scorebook error before they ever touched the ball and giving up the first six points of the second half, Coach Finley Baird’s team won 57-48 over Owensboro Senior Tuesday night.
Their potent post pair of Brooke Barnes and Rachel Barnett combined for 30 points and 21 rebounds, but the surprise of the game came from reserve Jessica Hines, who scored seven straight points in the third quarter to turn a 39-34 deficit into a 41-39 lead midway through the third quarter. She scored 11 points in that quarter and 15 for the game.
Senior forward Cierra Johnson hit a pair of three-pointers early in the game to help the Lady Cougars overcome that potentially disastrous start. But she got into early foul trouble. Hines came in two hit a pair of free throws followed by a field goal. Her assist to Barnes put Logan up 18-16 at the first stop.
When Barnett scored on an assist from senior guard Torrie Pollard, Logan led 24-19. That was one of 13 assists on the night for Pollard, who is having to do much more ball-handling during the prolonged injury-induced absence of veteran senior guard Taleia Mason.
Also doing her part in filling Mason’s role is junior point guard Ann-Meguiar Bouldin. In this game. She recorded four assists, three rebounds and a steal while making only one turnover.
Baird called on a number of reserves besides Hines, and many of them responded well, including Logan Williamson, Abbi Lindsey, Sarah Beth Hale and Blayke Bingham.
Fouls became a problem for the Lady Cougars in the third quarter. Barnes, Lindsey and Johnson all drew their third fouls within a few seconds of each other midway through the period. That was when Hines took over.
The Lady Cougars’ depth—even in Mason’s absence—played a big role as these teams played three games in about 32 hours. Logan seemed fresh in outscoring the Lady Devils 25-9 over the final 11 minutes of the game.
Barnes finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. Barnett added 16 points and 9 rebounds. Lindsey joined Johnson with 6 points before fouling out.
Wesli Washington scored 20 points for Coach Andy Groves’ Lady Devils while Tia Shelton added 10.
After starting their season at 2-2, the Lady Cougars (10-3) have won eight of their last nine games heading into Saturday’s showdown with visiting Russellville Saturday night.
Coach Calvin Head’s Lady Panthers ran their record to 9-4 Tuesday afternoon by beating Crittenden County 53-42 for seventh place in the tournament. They had lost two tight games on Tuesday, 61-52 to Kenwood and 55-52 to Hopkinsville.