HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS HOOPS: Three-pointers lead Southern past Berea Community
Jan. 23—BEREA — The Lady Eagles (10-6) are well aware of what to expect every time they take the court against their cross-town rivals.
"They are going to slow things down," Madison Southern coach Josh Curtis said of Berea Community. "They are going to be methodical. They are going to wait for you to make a mistake."
The teams locked up in another hard-fought, low-scoring defensive battle on Tuesday.
And this time around, the Lady Eagles hit enough shots — especially from long range — to come up with a district victory.
Laci Sandlin had 13 points and six rebounds as Southern topped Berea, 45-36, at home. Hadley French had 11 points (three three-pointers) and two assists, while Ashlan Estep had five points, four assists, four rebounds and three steals.
The Lady Eagles were 8-of-25 from three-point range and 7-of-8 at the free throw line.
"We stepped up and made just enough plays," Curtis said.
Sophie Brewer had a game-high 19 points for the Lady Pirates and added five rebounds. Abbigail Beard had 11 points and three assists, while Maddy King added six points and five assists.
The teams split two meetings last season, with Southern winning in the 44th District Tournament.
Berea had an early 8-5 advantage on Tuesday before the Lady Eagles used a 13-0 run to take a lead they would never relinquish. Southern hit four three-pointers — from four different players (Briana Hensley, Sandlin, French and Estep) — during that surge.
The Lady Eagles are currently among the state leaders in three-point shooting. Heading into the match-up with Berea, they had hit 104-of-268 attempts (38.8 percent — sixth-best in KHSAA).
Southern hit six threes in the first half and took a 25-18 lead into halftime against Berea.
The Lady Pirates got within three points in the fourth quarter before Bailee Sparks connected from long range to push the lead to 41-33.
The win was the third-straight for Southern.
Olivia Wagoner had four points for the Lady Eagles. Hensley had three points and two assists. Sparks, Olivia Coburn and Cami Duerson each had three points.
Berea's Kadence Stepp had nine points and three assists.
The Lady Pirates shot 44 percent from the field (3-of-17 three-pointers) and were 3-of-10 at the free throw line, while committing 11 turnovers.
Berea is set to return to action Saturday at home against Lexington Catholic.
Southern is set to return to action Saturday vs. Owsley County in the Kentucky Prep Showcase at Jackson City.
