This game had tournament time written all over it. The Lady Cardinals coming off of their first 2 consecutive losses of the season, one to Larue county and the other to George Rogers Clark in the Dukes Valentine Shootout. Coach Kelly Wood added this game at the invitation of Coach Brad Johnson as they thought this would be a good tournament warm-up for both teams…and it was.
The Monday night affair at the Cougar Den in Grayson County was senior night for the young Cougars. Katie Hayes and Kalyn Shull were honored for their service to the Lady Cougar squad during pregame. Both teams were loose and ready to play at tip-off and it was an instant classic from the start.
Grayson County known for their baseline to baseline pressing decided to mix it up a bit as Coach Johnson wanted to test his girls in the half court defensive set. The Lady Cardinals known for their sharpshooting from the outside decided to mix it up a little and pound the interior all night. Two outstanding teams playing out of their comfort zone produced some of the best play of the year.
With both teams working the ball for the best shot, the teams played a combination of zone and man-to-man defense. A very physical game, Nelson County knew they had to contain Maddie Stewart as she returned from her hamstring injury. Grayson County knew they had to keep Briana Harmon in check to limit the interior scoring.
So once again it was the role players on both teams who shined. 9 players in double figures is a great night of Kentucky High School Basketball. For Grayson County, junior Maddie Stewart and Freshman Grace White had 17 points each, Sloan Embry had 10 points and Senior Kalyn Shull had 14 points. Hannah Salsman the talented 8th grader had 9 points.
Briana Harmon was held to 12 points for Nelson County. Kaylee Hall had 14 points, freshman sensation Shila Calbert had 8 points, 8th grade wonder Marly Walls had 12 points and Caitlan Hagan was unstoppable and had a career night with 33 points.
Coach Brad Johnson of Grayson County received 2 technical fouls and was ejected from the game. He will serve a one game suspension per KHSAA guidelines.
Join Steve Thompson on the WBRT Sporting Times Show (97.1 in Bardstown, streamed on-line) Wednesday night for an evening with Coach Kelly Wood and the Lady Cardinals.
