In the historic Owensboro Sportscenter---a building that has hosted ball games, rock concerts, wrestling matches, graduations, and rodeos over the course of 75-plus years---Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriot basketball history was made. Not only that, but also, lessons were learned that are expected to help AC-S later this season in their quest for post-season success.
The quarterfinals on Friday witnessed history as AC-S downed Johnson Central 76-68 to win their first-ever H&W Dukes 2A State Tournament game. Saturday, eventual champion Calloway County---the 4th ranked team in the state---upended AC-S, 66-44. Still, the experience of the weekend will be valuable going forward this year.
First, let’s talk about history. On Friday night, January 16, 2026, junior Avery Morris etched her name into two record books. Morris scored 54 points---the most points in a single game in the 52-year history of Allen County-Scottsville High School. Morris’ record-setting performance saw the junior make 11 of 23 shot attempts from the floor---including sinking five 3-point baskets. Her remaining 27 points came at the free throw line. Morris toed the line 31 times and 27 times her shot swished the net.
At the final horn, Morris’ 54 points surpassed the previous record of 45 points by Morgan Rich on December 13, 2013. Her 27 free throws and the 31 attempts are believed to be AC-S records as well for made and attempted free throws in a game. Not only that, 2A officials say that her 54 points are a record for points by any player (female of male) in the short history of the 2A state tournament.
On most nights, a 15-point, 14-rebound game would be the highlight and the talking point after the game. However, Morris’ night stole the show from a superb effort put forth by Debora Patrick. The 5 '11 post complimented Morris’ play, proving a one-two punch that Johnson Central could not stop. Midway through the third quarter, Morris and Patrick were the only Lady Patriots to have scored in the game.
“I just put my determination toward my team,” Patrick said. “I know my team and myself wanted to get this win. I just try and watch the ball and do what I can to help.”
Enter reserves Kensley Byrn and Leighton Boler. The pair came off the bench to play solid on both ends of the 94-foot Sportscenter court. Byrn only scored two points but a base-line jumper proved pivotal as Johnson Central looked to regain momentum. Boler also sank a pair of jumpers and hit a free throw to also slow the Lady Eagles’ charge. Boler battled on the boards, finishing with six.
The outcome might have been different without the play of senior Addy Law. With the Johnson Central defense double-teaming (and in some cases triple-teaming) Morris, Law stepped up her game. Not only did she handle the Lady Eagles’ pressure, but also dissed out a team-high six assists. Law also went to battle defensively. Multiple times she was on the floor or in the face of Johnson Central players, fighting and scrapping for loose balls or wrestling for possession.
Johnson Central’s game plan from the tip centered on pressure. Their trapping attack did not come as a surprise given the preparation put forth by AC-S’s coaches. The Lady Eagles used their plan to build a 17-13 lead after the first eight minutes---a quarter that brought frustration to Morris and her teammates.
“Their trapping was frustrating at the beginning,” Morris admitted in the post-game media conference. “I just knew that if we were going to win this game, I would have to step it up. I knew I would have to be mentally strong and physically strong. I knew I would have to trust in my teammates.”
Morris also explained that---despite the game planning---the Lady Eagles’ defense presented her team with a challenge.
“Johnson Central’s defense was the most competitive we have seen this year,” Morris noted. “We had not seen anything like it.”
A key moment in the game would come midway through the second period. Johnson Central pushed their lead to 10, 24-14. Led by Morris and Patrick, the Lady Patriots closed the first half on a 16-6 run, pulling even at 30 at halftime. A second run came in the third period. Down 40-32, a 19-2 run to close the third frame lifted AC-S to a 51-42 lead. During the run, Byrn and Boler sank shots---the first players other than Morris and Patrick to score. Their baskets and defensive efforts seemed to provide lifts to the Lady Patriots as well as being deflaters for Johnson Central. Adding to the mix was Law’s ability to handle the ball under intense pressure were keys in the second half.
“Leighton and KB (Kensley Byrn) did an outstanding job coming in,” coach DeWitt said. “They don’t play much but they were awesome tonight. I tell my kids on the bench that you have to be ready to go in and help us win the game. Addy did an outstanding job helping bring the ball up. These things were huge for us.”
Still, the outcome was in doubt until the final minute. The Lady Eagles worked their way back into the contest by sinking six 3-pointers in the final period. That stat allowed Johnson Central to chip away at AC-S, eventually pulling to within five, 70-65, with just over a minute remaining. The Lady Patriots answered as Morris and her team mates refused to fold. When Morris canned her fifth and final 3-pointer late and added a foul shot in the final seconds, the win was secure.
AC-S closed the game, making five of their final six shots from the floor including two 3-pointers. At the line, the Lady Patriots were 13 of 16 at the line in the final eight minutes.
For the game, AC-S was 18-39 shooting the ball including five of 10 from 3-point range. At the line, Morris, Patrick, and Boler combined to make 35 of 41 free throws---a stat that was pointed out by Johnson Central coach.
“We got off to a good start,” coach Jim Hicks said. “I felt like the officials let us play a little bit. But that changed drastically. They (AC-S) shot 41 free throws and we shot six. I’ve been coaching for 30 years and this is crazy. It’s frustrating.”
Getting Johnson Central into foul trouble while getting to the line was a part of the AC-S game plan put together by the Lady Patriot coaching staff. DeWitt added that scouting helped the Lady Patriots prepare for their traps and devise an attacking game plan.
“We watched them play five times on tape,” DeWitt explained. “We knew what they were going to do defensively. We worked on it and worked on it. These girls did a great job.”
When asked about setting the records, Morris was quick to credit her teammates.
“I am so glad that my teammates helped me with the kickouts and those opportunities that I got,” Morris pointed out.
The win moved AC-S into Saturday afternoon’s semifinal matchup with the Lady Lakers from Calloway County. The Lady Lakers entered the game with a spotless 19-0 record and brought to the table the highest scoring average in the state. Plus, Calloway County has two players who have committed to D-1 programs.
The Lady Lakers outscored the Lady Patriots 18-8 in the opening quarter, with several of their points coming in transition.
“They (Calloway County) kept beating us back down the floor,” DeWitt said. “We just didn't have anyone back. I know they shot three or four wide open layer ups before we put the two girls back all the time. They are just a great team with great players. Jaiden Koch and Saylor Lowe are the best players we have seen all year.”
Still, AC-S rallied in the second, chipping away at the Lakers lead and finally closing to within three, 30-26. At halftime, Calloway County owned a 33-26 lead against a tired Lady Patriot team.
“I would definitely say we had a little fatigue,” Morris admitted. “We were pretty beat up after the Johnson Central game. But, that can’t be an excuse.”
Law also noted that AC-S knew Calloway County is one of the best teams in the state.
“Coming in, we knew this team was good,” added Law. “We were able to compete with them and get back to within three late in the first half.”
Calloway County used a 21-11 third quarter and a 12-7 fourth frame to pull away for the win. The Lady Lakers defeated Taylor County on Sunday to claim the 2A title and remain the only unbeaten girls team in the Commonwealth.
Morris was held to 17 points with Patrick adding 13. A bright spot in the game was the play of Kyra Marr who finished with seven points and eight rebounds. Every available player on the roster also was able to enjoy a few minutes of court time in the historic arena.
“Kyra played well and stepped up.” DeWitt noted. “I told the girls before the game that we needed someone else to step up. Kyra played hard and got into a little foul trouble because she was playing so hard. She accomplished a lot tonight and we are looking to her down the road.”
Despite the loss, the Lady Patriots come away from Owensboro with high hopes and expectations going into the second half of the regular season. As members of the final four in 2A---out of approximately 75 teams that opened 2A sectional play in December---is a big accomplishment for a rising program.
“This tournament atmosphere and the games we played and the excitement will help us down the road,” DeWitt added. “Everybody knows that the biggest game of the year will be the first game of the District. We have played in the 2A and the LIS (Lady Invitational of the South). We have a tough schedule coming up. This will help us, there is no doubt in my mind.”
