By CHARLIE HUST
Monday’s matchup of Webster County girls and arch-rival Union County was a preview of the upcoming first round of the Sixth District Tournament.
And WCHS certainly didn’t like what they saw. After a week layoff from action due to inclement weather, the Lady Trojans struggled in all phases of the game in the 50-35 loss in Morganfield. It was the second win of the season for UCHS over Webster, topping the Lady Trojans 45-40 in December. Union finished 2-2 in district action while Henderson County was 4-0 and Webster 0-4.
Union County (15-8) limited the Lady Trojans to just 24 points in the final three quarters, holding the WC starting five to a season-low 19 points. Senior point guard Darrian McNary couldn’t escape the Bravettes’ pressure defense, scoring just eight points while 6-foot-2 center Kristen Keeney was held scoreless in the matchup.
Both squads were a bit rusty from the long layoff in the opening quarter with the Bravettes holding a 12-11 lead. From that point on it was all Union County. Webster had 15 turnovers in the contest while UCHS had 16. Union also held a 32-27 rebounding edge.
UCHS went on a 10-0 run midway through the second quarter to hold a 23-13 lead. They closed out the period with a 25-19 advantage as baskets from Hallie Gibson, Maddie Duncan and Hannah Pritchett trimmed to margin to just six points. Gibson, just a sophomore, came off the bench to lead Webster in scoring with 13 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
Union County then put the game away with a 12-2 spurt to start the third quarter for a commanding 35-21 lead. UC freshman Kiara Campbell iced the game in the final 5:32 to play, nailing 5-of-8 free throws and finishing with a game-high 15 points.
Pritchett finished with six points, followed by five points from Kaylee Duncan and three from Maddie Duncan.
The Lady Trojans are back in action Thursday at Owensboro Catholic and then host Owensboro at Trojan gym on Saturday.