Shannon Hutchinson, Sports Writer
Monticello — s The Monticello Lady Trojans met number four ranked Rockcastle County, on
Friday March 5t at Lincoln County High School gym, in the second semifinal
game of the 12th Region Tournament. Monticello entered with an 18-12 mark,
coming off an impressive 67-58 win over Mercer County. The Lady Rockets
owned a 25-4 record and advanced into the match up with a 63-50 win over
Garrad County. The winner would move on to face Lincoln County, a 63-49
winner over Southwestern, in Saturday night's championship game.
Junior All-State candidate Sarah Hammond led five Rockcastle County
players in double figures with a game high 18 points, as the Lady Rockets
opened the game with a 19-0 run, en route to a 78-41 tournament win. Hammond
totaled 9 field goals and helped the winners enjoy a 41-17 rebound
advantage.
"Rockcastle County came out hot, made some big shots from the three
point line, and opened up Hammond on the inside. Give them all the credit,
we tried to take away their inside game, but they had some players step up
and make shots. They opened with that big run and we couldn't make shots,
which put our team in a big hole. We never quit and I'm so proud of our
kids. It was just a bad night to face one of the best teams in the state,
while they were firing on all cylinders, " said Monticello head coach Marla
Kelsch.
Junior guard Angie Lawrence totaled three 3-pointers to get thirteen
points, while Michaela Hunter sparked the reserves with 12 points. Jackie
Alexandar finished with 11 points and Kristin Abny scored 10 points, as ten
different Lady Rockets scored in the win, as the squad improved to a region
best 26-4 , on the season.
"Rockcastle County is one of the best teams in the state for a good
reason. Coach Noble does a very good job preparing her teams and we just
couldn't answer their effort. They moved on to win the region, advance to
the semifinals of the Sweet 16 and were a couple of calls away from possibly
playing for a state title. The final game of the year is always tough, but
to lose to a team of their caliber, certainly doesn't take away form what I
feel was a tremendous season" said Kelsch.
Monticello, which dropped to 18-13, shot just 28 percent from the field
led by guard Courtney Morrow. The junior finished 3 of 7 from the floor and
3 of 4 from the free throw line, to net a team best 11 points, with 3
rebounds and 3 assists, in 30 minutes of play. Senior forward Lacey Alley
finished with 9 points, 4 assists and 3 blocks, while Malesha Hughes added 8
points.
"I'm so proud of this team. Losing the class we did last year and to
come back and make the final four of the region, I really think we may have
even surpassed our own goals. We didn't shoot the ball very well, which made
things a struggle. To pull an upset we needed to have another great shooting
night and hope Rockcastle County was off. That didn't happen, but we were
one of only four teams left in the region, which is something to certainly
be proud of. I hope we can get back there next year, it was a tremendous
experience for our team," said Kelsch.
Mariah Hughes grabbed a team best 6 rebounds with 3 points, while Maggie
Hopper totaled 4 points off the bench. The trio of Autumn Bell, Tiara Duncan
and Miranda Perkins scored 2 points each as eight different Lady Trojans
scored in the contest.
Angie Lawrence totaled 8 points and Sara Hammond netted 6 points, as
Rockcastle opened with a 19-0 run, en route to a 21-4 lead.
"Rockcastle County has all kinds of big game and post season experience,
which allowed them to get off to a great start They made some tough shots
and we just struggled," said Kelsch. Michaela Hunter helped to add to the
lead with 9 points in the second stanza, as the Lady Rockets used a 20-10
surge to push to a 41-14 halftime advantage. Lawrence and Hammond both got
10 points each in the half, while Lacey Alley led the Lady Trojans with 4
points in the half.
Cortney Morrow scored 6 points in the third frame and Alley netted 5
points, as Monticello battled to a 14-15 tilt, which gave the Lady Rockets a
56-28 lead.
Rockcastle County used seven different scorers in the final quarter and
ended the game with a 22-13 flurry, to cruise to a 78-41 win.
The Lady Rockets connected on 32-64 field goal attempts overall for 50
percent, which included a 9 of 15 effort from 3-point range for 60 percent.
The winners converted on 5 of 6 free throws for 83 percent and totaled 17
turnovers, which the Lady Trojans turned into 14 points.
Monticello shot 13 of 47 overall for 28 percent and etched on 4 of 20
3-pointers for 20 percent. The squad made 11 of 17 free throws for 65
percent and totaled 11 assists with 5 steals, against 15 turnovers.
The loss ended the prep careers of the Lady Trojans' four seniors Lacey
Alley, Jackie Anderson, Brittney Crabtree and Maggie Hopper.
"This class has been such a part of our program's turn around. They have
been a big part of three straight winning seasons and 37 wins the past two
years. We'll miss each player for a lot of different reasons, but they are a
very special group. We have a lot of work to do in the off-season to replace
them, but I'm so proud of what this group accomplished," said Kelsch.
Congratulations to the Lady Trojans on a successful and memorable
season.