1-18-12 —   The Monticello Lady Trojans stepped out of 12th Region play last  

Saturday night, to host 4th Region foe Cumberland County at MHS Gym.  

The Lady Trojans entered with an 8-9 record and were coming off a  

41-38 win over Casey County earlier in the week. The squad was  

scheduled to host district foe McCreary Central on Thursday, but  

weather forced the match up to be rescheduled for later in the month.  

Cumberland County entered with a 1-15 mark and was coming off a 37-31  

district loss at Clinton County, earlier in the week.

    Junior guard Autumn Bell scored a game high 21 points to lead four  

Lady Trojans scoring in double figures, as the hosts won every  

quarter, en route to a commanding 68-25 win. Bell shot 7 of 14 from  

the field, which included a 5 of 8 mark from 3-point range and made 2  

of 2 free throws, with 7 rebounds in 22 minutes of action.

    Bethany Peyton came off the bench to add 12 points and 4 rebounds,  

in 16 minutes of play. The talented 8th grader shot 5 of 8 from the  

floor and 2 of 4 from the free throw line, while Mariah and Malesha  

Hughes totaled 10 points each. Mariah tallied 4 assists with 4  

rebounds, while Malesha finished 5 of 8 from the field, as the  

winners shot 44 percent from the field.

    "This was a good game to play before we start the All-‘A'. We had a  

good scoring night and were able to play a lot of different people in  

a positive situation. Cumberland County is rebuilding this year and  

has a new coach, but I thought we played pretty well," said  

Monticello head coach Marla Kelsch.

    Senior Tiara Duncan posted 8 points with 4 steals, while Whitney  

Watkins contributed 4 points and 2 boards. Sarah Miller finished with  

3 points, as seven different Lady Trojans scored in the win.

    Cumberland County, which lost their fourth straight to drop to 1-16,  

was led by the 9 points of Cherokee Capps. The junior guard totaled 3  

3-pointers, while Kayla Waid finished with 7 points. Waid, a  

freshman, connected on 5 of 6 free throws as five different Lady  

Panthers marked the scoring margin.

    "Cumberland County lost their leading scorer earlier in the week,  

but to their credit, I thought they played very hard. They start  

three seniors, so I'm sure they want to finish their season strong,"  

said Kelsch.

    Monticello totaled 4 3-pointers in the first quarter and used the 8  

points of Autumn Bell to offset the 6 points of Cherokee Capps, as  

the hosts raced to a 14-9 lead.

    Bell totaled 5 3-pointers in the first half and 19 points, as the  

Lady Trojans used a 22-5 second stanza run to claim a 36-14 halftime  

advantage. Cumberland County totaled 5 field goals in the half, led  

by the 9 points of Capps.

    Bethany Peyton totaled 7 points in the third quarter and the hosts  

connected on 9 of 14 field goals and 2 of 5 free throws, to spark a  

20-5 run, to push to a 56-19 lead.

    "I thought Bethany had a nice game off the bench, and she continues  

to give us a nice lift in that role," said Kelsch.

    Reserves dominated the final 8 minutes, as Monticello used a 12-6  

tilt to roll to a 68-25 win.

    "We have not had a lot of games that we can work some of our younger  

folks in, so it was good to be able to do that. Malesha suffered an  

injury in this game, and we certainly hope that it is nothing too  

serious with the All-‘A' starting on Tuesday," said Kelsch.

    Monticello, which claimed a 26-21 rebound advantage, shot 26 of 59  

overall for 44 percent and connected on 7 of 19 3-pointers for 37  

percent. The winners made 9 of 18 free throws for 50 percent and  

totaled 12 assists against 14 turnovers.

    The Lady Panthers finished 8 of 37 overall from the field for 22  

percent and marked on 3 of 14 3-pointers for 21 percent. The squad  

converted on 6 of 10 free throws for 60 percent and finished with 24  

turnovers.

    The Lady Trojans and Trojans are hosting this year's 12th Region  

All-‘A' Classic with both squads facing Burgin, on Tuesday night.

    "We are happy to be hosting this year's All-‘A' and play the second  

game after the boys on Tuesday night. One of our goals each year is  

to win the All-'A', and I think our schedule has prepared us pretty  

well for the tournament," said Kelsch.

    Somerset meets Danville in the opposite bracket with the  

championship game slated for Friday night.

    Details on all the All-‘A' 12th Region Classic action in next week's  

edition of The Outlook.