Lady Owls Basketball Action

Owsley County added a mid-season game a few weeks ago when Lexington Catholic needed a team for one game for their Holiday Classic. Coach Travis Smith had been looking for another game before the team heads south to Florida next week for a four day tournament in Destin and Frankfort was available.

The Lady Owls have played a tough schedule to this point of the season, losing a 2 point decision to Knox Central, a 4 point loss to Martin County (both teams highly rated in their regions) and an opening season loss to top 20 ranked Boyd County. And the most recent loss, an overtime game at Perry Central. However, those kind of games prepare teams for the tough games going forward, and if today is an indicator the Lady Owls may be trending in the right direction.

It didn’t take the Lady Owls long to establish control in the game as they rushed out to a 48-15 halftime lead over the Lady Panthers. The 3’s were falling from everywhere. Carly Smith connected on four treys before the half, Addie Terry made two and Laya Lynch one. And that trend continued throughout the game as the Lady Owls ended the game with twelve 3’s total.

Owsley continued the onslaught into the third quarter and held a 76- 24 lead as the fourth quarter began. 6’2 center Macey Brown was very effective inside the paint and whenever Owsley wasn’t scoring long range shots Brown was getting the job done around the basket, some points resulting from overhead passes from fellow freshman 6’ Kamilla Marcum.

By the last quarter Coach Smith had emptied his bench and the game was concluded with the middle school players who make up the JV team.

Carly Smith led in scoring with 23 points and 10 assists for a double-double, her second double-double in a row. She was also 6/7 from behind the arc. Macie Brown dominated the interior with 18 points and 13 rebounds, a double-double. Addie Terry scored 13 points with three treys for the game. Laya Lynch had 8 points, Kenzie Grubb 10, Shelby Murray 4, Kamilla Marcum 2, Kiley Taylor 2 and Erica Mason 2.

Charlianne Johnson was top scorer for Frankfort with 14 points.

Coach Smith was pleased with his team’s play.

“We had a really good team effort today on both ends of the floor. They played unselfish and did a great job finding the open person. We’ve played a difficult schedule but in the long run I think it’s going to pay big dividends for the team.”

Owsley County led for the first three quarters until Perry Central was able to tie the game and take a lead midway through the last quarter. For the rest of the game it was a back and forth affair with both teams shooting good percentages and making clutch shots. Perry was able to gain a lead in the overtime and Owsley was forced to foul and the Lady Commodores were able to convert 11/12 from the free throw line to secure the hard fought victory.

Both teams came out firing on all cylinders. Owsley sophomore guard Addie Terry scored 7 first quarter points and freshman center Macey Brown added 6 as Owsley won the first quarter 18-16. Senior guard Carly Smith took over in the second quarter scoring 9 as Owsley held a slim 34-31 halftime lead. The Lady Commodores’ sophomore guard Taylor Couch scored 11 in the first half and junior guard Kyra McAlarnis had 9.

The Lady Owls continued to lead after the third quarter 57-54 but just couldn’t shake the Lady Commodores. McAlarnis continued her good play adding 6 more in the quarter and senior guard Emmalee Neace netted 8. Terry scored 9 in the period for Owsley.

Perry finally caught up with Owsley in the fourths quarter and actually had a 1 point lead for a while. For the rest of the period it was back and forth until the final horn sounded with both teams totaling 66 points.

Perry got out first in the overtime with Taylor Couch knocking down some huge shots and from there on they kept the lead. Owsley fouled but the Lady Commodores were money at the line down the stretch. When the overtime ended Perry Central came out on top by a score of 89-82. Both teams were solid from behind the arc, with Owsley making 10 treys and Perry Central 9.

Owsley’s next game is Friday against Lexington Catholic in Lexington and then they travel to Florida for a post Christmas holiday tournament where they will play four games.

Perry Central’s next game is in the Hyden Citizen Bank Classic Saturday before heading to Gatlinburg for the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic.

Scoring for Owsley: Carly Smith 15 points, 17 assists/4 steals for a double-double, Addie Terry had 24 points and 9 rebounds, Macey Brown had 18 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double, Laya Lynch 14 and 5, Shelby Murray 6, Kenzie Grubb 3, and Kamilla Marcum 2.

Scoring for Perry Central: Kyra McAlarnis 25, Taylor Couch 22, Emmalee Neace 20, Brooklyn Cornett 14, and Shyanne Couch 5.