Topic: Basketball
2020MCCCG
Madison Central vs. Clay County (Girls)
Clay County High School
Manchester, KY
January 18, 2020
Madison Central coach Brad Lovely started the following lineup: 5-10 Jr. Raelynn Miller, 5-9 Sr. Taleya Todd, 5-11 Sr. Jekauri McKeithen, 5-4 Fr. Eve Carter, and 5-5 Jr. Brianna Bierbaum. Clay County coach James Burchell countered with 5-9 Sr. Kaylee Mathis, 5-9 Jr.Allie Phillips, 6-1 Jr. Alexis Lewis, 5-4 Jr. Taylor Asher, and 5-7 So. Courtney Jones.
The 1989 Girls State High School Champions Clay Tigers were honored before the game on their 30th anniversary of their championship. Coach Donnie Gray was the moderator and held the crowd spell bound with his often emotional, often humorous, and always entertaining account of the season and the championship run. Clay County had to beat #6 Henry Clay, #8 Oldham County, #1 Manual , and finally defeated Clark County in a triple overtime grueling contest. This was accomplished with Tourney MVP Kim Jones and All Tournament selection Susan Feltner fouling out of the game. Coach Gray made the comments, they were not fast, could not jump, could not shoot but that they played together and played for each other and got along with each other and he also stated he never had a problem with the parents on this team. The speech ended with Coach Gray asking the emotional crowd to stand and give this team one last standing ovation. A lot of thoughts went through my mind as I have done stats for Madison Central for several years, known and considered Coach James Burchell who was an assistant on that team a friend I have known for many years and have seen Kaylee Mathis grow up on a basketball floor. This was one of those special moments I treasure and will never forget on the basketball court.
Clay County took an early lead, survived a Madison Central rally and pulled away late for a 55-42 victory. Madison Central pulled to within four; 46-42 with 3:03 to go in the game when they lost Taleya Todd who had scored 19 points via the foul route. Eve Carter was later ejected from the game and Clay County pulled away for the victory.
Clay County shot 47.2% from the field including five of 11 from the three point line. The Lady Tigers connected on 16 of 20 free throws, pulled down 20 rebounds, and scored 12 points off 18 Madison Central turnovers. Madison Central shot 43.9% from the field including one of nine from beyond the arc. The Indians connected on five of six free throws, pulled down 27 rebounds, and scored 15 points off 14 Clay County turnovers.
Taylor Asher led Clay County with 21 points including eight of 10 free throws, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Kaylee Mathis added 18 points including two three point baskets, four of four free throws, three rebounds, two assists, and five steals.
Taleya Todd had an excellent game today and led Madison Central with 19 points and two steals. The “double-double” machine Jekauri McKeithen added 12 points and 12 rebounds. Eve Carter recorded two points, six rebounds, three assists, and six steals.
Madison Central,8,8,21,5,42
Clay County,14,12,18,11,55
Madison Central (42) – Miller 0, Todd 19, McKeithen 12, Eve Carter 2, Bierbaum 0, Long 5, Bri. Campbell 2, Hammitt 2.
Clay County (55) – Mathis 18, Phillips 3, Lewis 7, Asher 21, Jones 4, Combs 2.
A special thanks to the Madison Central Stats Crew for providing the comprehensive statistics for today’s game.