(by Don Meador)
The Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriot sprinted to a 24-point first half lead over the Cumberland County Lady Panthers but needed clutch free throws in the final minutes to survive a furious fourth quarter charge in a 64-60 win on Monday, March 2 in the quarterfinal round of the Region 4 tournament. With the win, AC-S advances to face Franklin-Simpson in the Region semifinals on Friday. This will be the Lady Patriots’ deepest regional tournament run since winning the title 11 years ago.
“We knew Cumberland County had a run in them,” AC-S coach Garry DeWitt said. “They are too good not to. We took it to them in the first half. Avery (Morris) was outstanding in the first half. Debora (Patrick) was awesome in the second half. All the girls played hard on defense. It was a good team win I’m thankful that we held on.”
AC-S started strong, very strong. Morris drained the first of her seven 3-pointers on the first trip down John Oldham Court. Her play as well as an early jumper from Allison Ford and inside baskets by Patrick helped AC-S hold a 16-6 lead at the first quarter break. Morris’ shooting from outside keyed a strong second eight minutes---lifting AC-S to a 20-point advantage, 41-21 at halftime.
“It was very important for us to get off to a good start,” Morris added. “We always say that the first minutes of the game are the most important. We came at them and showed that we wanted it more. Our run in the beginning really got us momentum.”
Morris scored 26 of her game-high 38 points in the opening half. However, to Cumberland County’s credit, the Lady Panthers refused to fold. In the third, Cumberland started to chip away at the Lady Patriots lead. After shooting seven of 37 from the floor in the first half---including 0-10 from 3-point range----Cumberland County buried five 3-pointers in the third. Still, AC-S carried a 55-38 lead to the fourth.
While Cumberland County charged, AC-S struggled against a tight man-to-man defense. The Lady Panthers continued to chip away, pulling to within seven, 57-50, with 4:46 left. However, a pair of clutch block-shots by Patrick---off passes from Morris---enabled the Lady Patriots to fight off the Panther attack. But the game was not over.
With 41.9 seconds left, a Cumberland basket on a drive to the goal, brought the Lady Panthers to within three, 61-58. Morris was quickly fouled but calmly sank two free throws to push AC-S’s lead to five, 63-58. The Lady Panthers answered once more and immediately fouled Addy Law. The senior---who had missed two free throws earlier, missed the first of two throws. Law refocused and sank the second to extend the Lady Patriots to four. A defensive stop sealed the AC-S win.
In addition to 38 points---the second consecutive game the 2027 Miss Basketball candidate has hit 38 points---Morris handed out seven assists, grabbed four rebounds and had three steals. She was quick to credit her teammates for their hard work.
"I know my teammates can score,” Morris noted. “I have trust in them. It’s nice to have somebody to kick it to when you have four or five people coming at you.”
Patrick finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds---the 22nd double-double of the senior’s 100-game career. Her dominance on the glass---evident by her 10 first half rebounds---was also a key factor.
“Rebounding is a very big part of my game,” Patrick said. “I know how it helps my team. We knew they had shooters and they were looking for second chance shots. I just did my best to help my team.”
AC-S finished the night 22 of 46 (47.8%) from the floor, a stat that included eight of 14 3-point baskets. At the line, AC-S was 12-15 (805). Cumberland County (24-7) was 20-62 from the floor (32.3%) and seven of 21 shooting the 3-ball. At the foul stripe, the Lady Panthers were 13 of 13. AC-S won the boards 37-30.
Law added that the win felt great---a win coming in front of a large AC-S crowd.
“This means a lot,” Law said. “We had so many fans out to support us. I know winning the first game will bring more support Friday.”.
The win moves AC-S (22-8) into the Region 4 semifinals Friday at 8 p.m. against Franklin-Simpson (22-7). The teams met on January 2 in the 2A Sectional Final---a game in which the Lady Patriots won 69-56. However, the Lady Cats---the defending regional champions---have added a couple of players and have won 14 of the 17 games they have played since the first match-up.
Friday’s winner will meet the victor of the Barren County (30-2) and Monroe County (21-9) upper bracket semifinal on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the regional title game.