MOUNT OLIVET — The sign on Robertson County School’s front door implores the Black Devil teams to “Stay Hot.”
The Nicholas County girls basketball team, however, was a metaphorical 2½-inch-diameter fire hose. The Lady Jackets doused Robertson County, 56-34, in Monday’s 10th Region All “A” semifinal at Robertson County.
“We’ve had some good games this year, we’ve had some bad ones,” Lady Devils coach John Pilosky said. “Nicholas County’s a good team, fundamentally strong, knows what to do with the ball.”
For a little less than the opening two minutes, the Lady Devils offered embers: Molly Hester’s 5-footer, Emma Courtney’s field goal and two Natalie Massey free throws.
That was a 6-0 Robertson County run, which Nicholas County needed less than two minutes to overcome.
“We told ‘em, come out, hit ‘em hard, let ‘em know that we mean some business, so we did that,” Pilosky said. “They knocked down a few shots on us; we probably dropped our heads a little bit. It kinda got away from us from there.”
Nicholas County called a 30-second time out.
“I told ‘em to settle down our defense,” Lady Jackets coach Greg Letcher said. “Just take away the outside shot, just keep movin’, work the ball to get it inside.”
Megan Cobb started the rally with a 3-pointer. Jada Cleaver added nine points (she led Nicholas County with 14 points), while Audra Felts and Morgan Watkins added two apiece.
The ultimate result: Lady Jackets, 16-8, after one quarter.
By the end of the opening stanza, Robertson County was shooting mostly 3-pointers. The Lady Devils made none, which left Pilosky significantly consternated.
“What play are we running?” Pilosky said. “Why aren’t we running it?”
Nicholas County led, 23-8, less than a minute into the second quarter thanks to Cleaver’s five points and two each from Sydni Gifford and Watkins. The Lady Devils, meanwhile, mostly couldn’t consistently drive to the basket.
“One pass and we’re throwin’ up 3s!” Pilosky screamed.
Pilosky said the Lady Devils struggled when Nicholas County picked up its press at half-court, a sound strategy because Robertson County coughed up 16 turnovers.
“We talked about not rushin’ our plays on the press,” Pilosky said. “ … They try to trap you, and from there they look for the long passes and things like that, and that’s what we did.”
The Lady Jackets expanded their lead to 41-19 after three quarters. Emma Courtney’s 12 points led Robertson County.
“We know we’re a good team,” Pilosky said. “We’ll bounce back, we’ll come out strong.”
LADY JACKETS 56, LADY DEVILS 54
NICHOLAS COUNTY—16-11-16-13—56
ROBERTSON COUNTY—8-7-4-15—34
Scoring
Nicholas Co. (56) – Gifford 6, Watkins 9, Cobb 5, Adams 5, Felts 2, Hatton 4, Cleaver 14, Humphries 6, Hedges 5.
Robertson Co. (34) – Roberts 4, Hester 7, Courtney 12, Massey 2, Hamm 9.
Game Stats
3-Pointers Made: Nicholas 4 (Cleaver 2, Adams, Hedges), Robertson 1 (Hamm)
Free Throws: Nicholas 6-11 Robertson 15-24
Turnovers: Nicholas 11, Robertson 16
Team fouls: Nicholas 17, Robertson 14
Records: Nicholas County 10-5, Robertson County 6-10
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