Somerset — The Somerset Christian girls basketball team had the best season in school history, but their landmark campaign came to an end in the semifinals of the Kentucky Christian Athletic Association Region 4 Girls basketball Tournament.
After downing Danville Christian 47-28 in their Region 4 first round game, the Lady Cougars fell to two-time defending state champs Lakeside Christian 60-32 in the semifinals.
The Lady Cougars ended the season with a program best 14-6 record.
“Our girls gave every ounce of effort they had, and I am so proud of each one of them,” Somerset Christian girls coach Jamie Middleton said. “We have accomplished more than anyone would have dreamed at the start of the year, and with all 5 starters and 8 of our top 9 coming back, the future looks very good for Somerset Christian girls basketball.”
In the Lady Cougars’ opening round win over Danville, freshman Lauren Dungan came up big with a game-high 18 points.
The Lady Cougars trailed after the opening quarter, but they outscored Danville 28 to 11 over the next two periods to take a commanding lead.
“The game plan was designed to limit the effectiveness of Priscilla Volk, who led them in scoring and assists, and was their main ball-handler,” Middleton explained. “Our girls worked the plan to perfection and our intensity level really frustrated Danville. We were able to execute everything the way we wanted to, we just couldn’t make shots in the first half.”
“It is really hard to prepare for a team four times, let alone beat them four times,” Middleton remarked. “We had a few new things that we hadn’t shown previously and that seemed to confuse Danville. Our girls did everything asked of them and did it well.”
DCA 9 7 4 8 - 28
SCS 5 13 15 14 - 47
DANVILLE - Priscilla Volk 5, Shayla Smith 6, Katherine Raines 12, Maddie Crawford 1, Carrie Crawford 1, Emily Hines 3.
SOMERSET - Dakota Stringer 5, Emma Frost 7, Morgan O'Hair 3, Alex Bartley 2, Jessica Bartley 2, Amy Rice 4, Lauren Dungan 18, Ashley Glass 6.
In their semifinal match-up with Lakeside, the Lady Cougars fell behind early and were outscored 19 to 6 in the third stanza. Somerset could not recover from the early deficit and ended their season with the Region 4 semifinal setback.
“We finally matched their intensity level for the first time ever and didn’t play scared at all,” Middleton explained. “At halftime, we led in almost every statistical category except the score, and were only down 10 points. I think Lakeside was shocked that we were actually in the game with them at halftime, since they beat us by 50 points in an exhibition game at Christmas. Their points off of our turnovers doomed us in the second half. Plus, we only shot about 30 percent, and most were wide open shots.
“We actually outrebounded Lakeside 46 to 44 and held them to 30 percent shooting,” Middleton continued. “We never backed down and never quit. This is the best group of young ladies that a coach could ask for. The improvement shown by our girls from year one to now is amazing, not only in skill level, but in understanding the game (basketball IQ) and strategies.”
Somerset Christian School sophomore Ashley Glass was named to the KCAA Region 4 All-Tournament team.
Somerset Christian andf Lakeside game stats can be found at www.lakesidefalcons.com
SCS 4 10 6 12 - 32
LCA 9 15 19 17 - 60
SCS (14-6) Shea O'Hair 3, Emma Frost 2, Morgan O'Hair 4, Jessica Bartley 4, Lauren Dungan 7, Ashley Glass 12.
LCA (24-0) Brooklyn Hesterberg 8, Taylor Conn 4, Whitlea Wall 8, Ally McGhee 15, Taylor Patrick 5, Chelsea Porter 1, Morgan Ravenscraft 9, Faith Conn 4, Haley Skidmore 6.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Somerset Christian School eighth-grader Amy Rice brings the ball into the front court during a recent game. The Lady Cougars were eliminated in the Region 4 Tournament semifinals, concluding a school best 14-6 season. Steve Cornelius Photo
Lady Cougars eliminated in Region 4 semifinals
- Local Sports
-
-
Putting best foot forward
As arch-rivals go, Somerset and Southwestern rarely share a whole lot of things in common, but coming into the final week of the regular season, both the Briar Jumpers and Warriors share a common thread — they are each yearning for a win.
-
Pulaski nips Warriors in 2OT
Earlier in the week, when talking about his club’s upcoming game in a much-anticipated rematch against arch-rival Southwestern, Pulaski County head coach Al Gover said he expected the game to go right down to the wire.
-
Somerset comes back to down Pulaski
Somerset always likes to make things interesting.
-
Johnson, Gover pace Pulaski in 69-56 win over Knox Central
For the Pulaski County Maroons, the defense of their 47th District championship and the quest for a 12th Regional crown will begin a little over a week from now on February 20th in Mt. Vernon, when Al Gover and crew will meet up against Rockcastle County in the opening round of the district tourney.
-
Lady Warriors avenge 2011 season-ending loss
After splitting games with Garrard County and Somerset over the weekend, Southwestern returned to the hardwood on Monday night, squaring off against Casey County, the same team who ended the Lady Warriors’ postseason run last season in the semifinals of the Girls 12th Region Tournament.
-
Ashley Rose named to All-OVC teams
Former Pulaski County High School standout archer Ashley Rose, recently ended her collegiate carer with high honors.
-
Somerset vs. Southwestern girls basketball
-
Lady Warriors down Somerset, 47-39
Good teams built for a deep run in March always seem to find a way to gut out a win when one of their top players have an ‘off night’.
-
Cross-town rematch tonight at Briar Patch
When Somerset and Southwestern last played -- on the second night of the high school girls basketball season -- there were more questions than answers.
-
Warriors destroy Somerset, 63-32
If defense does indeed win championships, then it’s safe to pencil in the Southwestern Warriors as a solid favorite to win the upcoming 12th Regional Tournament in a little less than a month from now.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
