Rockcastle County (35-1)  vs.  DuPont Manual (33-4) (Championship)

Rockcastle County coach Chrysti Noble started the following lineup: 5-9 Sr. Shanlee Burton, 5-6 Sr. Sydney Arvin, 6-2 Sr. Sara Hammond, 5-6 Sr. Kristin Abney, and 5-5 Sr. Angie Lawrence.  Manual coach Stacy Pendleton countered with 6-1 So. Kayla Styles, 5-11 Jr. Kara Wright, 5-10 Sr. Mechael Guess, 5-7 Jr. Leasia Wright, and 5-3 Sr. Raven Hester.

Angie Lawrence hit a jumper with 0.5 seconds on the clock to give Rockcastle County a 62-60 overtime victory over DuPont Manual in a thriller tonight.  DuPont Manual led 37-28 early in the third quarter but Rockcastle County rallied and held a 53-49 lead with 1:38 left in regulation.  Rockcastle County missed the front end of a one-and-one and had a costly turnover allowing DuPont Manual to tied the game at 53-53.  Angie Lawrence hit two free throws to give Rockcastle County a 55-53 lead.  DuPont Manual’s Kayla Styles hit a field goal in the closing second to tie the game at 55-55 and force overtime.

DuPont Manual was shorthanded in overtime as Raven Hester fouled out late in regulation and Mechael Guess fouled out midway through the overtime period.  The score was tied at 60-60 setting the stage for Angie Lawrence’s last second heroics as the Lady Rockets would not be denied tonight in this classic battle for the championship.

Rockcastle County shot 50% from the field including six of nine from the three point line.  The Lady Rockets connected on 10 of 14 free throws, pulled down 30 rebounds, and scored seven points off seven DuPont Manual turnovers.  DuPont Manual shot 43.1% from the field including three of 10 from beyond the arc.  The Lady Crimsons connected on seven of 12 free throws, pulled down 31 rebounds, and scored 11 points off 10 Rockcastle County turnovers.

Sara Hammond led Rockcastle County with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocked shots.  Angie Lawrence added 18 points including four three point baskets.  Sydney Arvin chipped in with nine points.  5-8 So. Michaela Hunter had a big game off the bench with seven points, four rebounds, three assists, and four steals.

Leasia Wright led DuPont Manual with 19 points.  Kara Wright added 12 points.  Kayla Styles chipped in with 11 points, five rebounds, and four blocked shots.  Mechael Guess recorded 11 points and eight rebounds.

Rockcastle County,13,15,15,12,7,62

DuPont Manual,16,16,13,10,5,60

Rockcastle County (62) – Burton 2, Arvin 9, Hammond 26, Abney 0, Lawrence 18, Hunter 7.

DuPont Manual (60) – Styles 11, K. Wright 12, Guess 11, L. Wright 19, Hester 4, Bodine 3.

All Tournament Team

Adrienne Tarrence,Bowling Green

Heather Wheat,Butler

Katelyn Newsome,Sheldon Clark

Whitney Belle Jackson,Clay County

Makayla Epps,Marion County

Kyvin Goodin-Rogers,Marion County

Averee Fields,Calloway County

Alyssa Cunningham,Calloway County

Mechael Guess,DuPont Manual

Kara Wright,DuPont Manual

Leasia Wright,DuPont Manual

Michaela Hunter,Rockcastle County

Angie Lawrence,Rockcastle County

Sara Hammond,Rockcastle County,MVP

Acknowledgements:

A special thanks to WL Stats for providing the comprehensive statistics for all the games and to the KHSAA for providing a comprehensive and informative website covering all aspects of this event.