Shannon Hutchinson, Sports Writer
Monticello — The Wayne County Lady Cardinals met Pulaski County, last Friday night at
PC gym, in a match up of 12th Region rivals. Wayne County entered with a
4-13 record and was coming off a 72-44 home loss to Rockcastle County,
earlier in the week.
The Lady Maroons got off to a very fast start with a 10-3 mark, but have
since dropped six straight decisions, including a 78-63 home decision to
Casey County, three nights earlier.
Hallie Gillespie netted a game high 18 points with 8 rebounds, as Wayne
County made 13 of 16 free throw attempts down the stretch, to hold on for a
67-61 win. Gillespie, a 5-9 freshman forward, finished 7 of 8 from the field
and 4 of 13 from the free throw line, in just over 30 minutes of play.
"This was a good win for our team, in a very ugly hard-fought game. Over
50 fouls were called, five different players fouled-out, so it wasn't a
beautiful game to watch, but I thought our team really stepped up. Hallie
Gillespie had a big scoring night and our defense made some stops late. We
also finally made some clutch free throws, after three quarters of brutal
free throw shooting. Despite all of that, it's a nice road win and we'll
take it," said Lady Cards head coach Tim Pyles.
Kayla Bowlin battled foul-problems to finish with 13 points. Bowlin shot
4 of 9 from the field with 2 3-pointers and connected on 3 of 7 free throws,
while three different Lady Cards added 8 points each.
Jessica Hardin posted 8 points with a game high 12 rebounds, while
Tashea Pyles tallied 8 points with 6 boards, as Wayne County claimed a 54-37
rebound advantage.
"I thought our rebounding was a big key, plus our overall effort on
defense hopefully is something we can build on. This was one of those games
that we had a lot of people do good things," said Pyles.
Sophomore reserve Samantha Sexton provided a big lift off the bench with
8 points and 4 rebounds, in 19 minutes of action. Sexton connected on 6 of 6
free throw attempts, in the decisive fourth quarter.
"Samantha Sexton gave us some clutch minutes, plus helped us at the free
throw line. We missed 17 of 25 free throws early, so the disappointing thing
is if we make our free ones in the first half, we have a 20 point lead,"
said Pyles.
Kourtney Criswell added a solid stat night with 6 points, 5 rebounds and
3 assists, while Heather Rigney contributed 4 points and Jamie Roberts
finished with 2 points, as eight different Lady Cards scored in the win.
Pulaski County, which dropped to 10-10, was led by the 13 points and 5
rebounds of Brooke Cable.
The senior shot 5 of 11 from the floor, with 2 3-pointers and 1 of 2
from the charity-stripe.
Mariah Meeks added 10 points with 6 boards, as 10 different lady Maroons
scored in the contest.
"Pulaski County has an improved basketball team, plus they like to play
a very physical style," said Pyles.
Wayne County opened 6 of 14 from the field and used the 6 points of
Jessica Hardin to push to a 15-9 first quarter lead. Brooke Cable came off
the bench to pace the hosts with 7 points, in the opening stanza.
Kayla Bowlin added 7 points in the second period and the Lady Cards used
a 17-15 tilt, to push to a 32-24 halftime advantage. The Lady Maroons made 7
of 14 free throw attempts in the frame, while the visitors struggled to
tally on 3 of 10 free throws.
"We have to take advantage of our scoring opportunities, which is
something that has bothered us all year. We work on free throws daily, so I
think it goes back to focus," said Pyles.
Pulaski County shot just 7 of 25 from the field in the third period, but
that was enough to take a 16-15 scoring edge to close the gap to 47-40,
after 24 minutes. Hallie Gillespie led all players with 9 points in the
quarter.
Samantha Sexton scored all 8 of her points in the second half, including
6 in the final 8-minutes as Wayne County connected on 13 of 16 free throws
to take the 67-61 win.
A review of the stats show the Lady Maroons shot 20 of 68 overall for 29
percent, which included a 6 of 27 effort from 3-point range for 22 percent.
The squad tallied on 15 of 28 free throw attempts for 54 percent and
finished with 9 turnovers, which Wayne County converted into 12 points.
The Lady Cards made 20 of 45 field goal attempts overall for 44 percent
and connected on 6 of 18 3-pointers for 33 percent. The winners marked on 21
of 41 free throws for 51 percent and totaled 10 assists with 5 steals,
against 23 turnovers which led to 21 Pulaski County points.
"Our free throw shooting and turnovers both were not where we want them,
but our defense stepped up late, plus we made free throws late. It seems
like everytime we improve in one area, another one suffers, but if we could
put 32 minutes all together. I think we could do some really good things,"
said Pyles.
Up next for Wayne County was a Saturday night home date with Fourth
Region foe Barren County.
"Barren County has one of the top programs in their region and are
playing their best basketball of the season. Hopefully we can build on this
effort," said Pyles.