The Wayne County High School Ladycats took a “mercy rule” 71 – 28, win over the Lady Vikings of Perry County on Tuesday night in Linden. On Friday night, the Lady Mustangs of Loretto handed the Ladycats a “mercy rule” loss by almost the identical score, 70 – 28. The Wildcats suffered a 58 – 44 loss to the Vikings. The Wildcats didn’t fare any better against the Loretto Mustangs on Friday night as they fell by the score of 68 – 34. Frank Hughes visits Wayne County on Tuesday before the teams travel to Summertown on Friday night. The following Tuesday, Wayne County travels to Collinwood.
Against the Lady Vikings, Sophomore Lauren Bryant lit it up early in the contest, scoring 22 first half points, topping the total score for the Lady Vikings. She nailed four three-pointers as the Ladycats led 45 – 20 at the half. The Ladycats upped their lead in the third and turned the game over to the bench. They took the win, 71 – 28. Bryant finished with 24 points on the night, shooting 63.6% from the field and 100% from the foul line. She had 2 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists. Sophomore Annie Lee came off the bench to hit for 12 points. She was perfect from the field, nailing 2 three’s and 3 two-point goals. She also had an assist. Savanna McClain and Michaela Gallian each scored in double figures with 10 points. McClain had 3 rebounds, a steal, and 2 assists, and Gallian had 7 boards, a steal, and an assist. Freshman Jac Keaton scored 5 points and had an assist, while Kelsey Carroll and Kenzie Griggs each scored 4 points. Carroll had a rebound, 3 steals, and 4 assists, and Griggs had 2 rebounds. Bailey Kilburn had 2 points and a steal. Lauren Prater had a rebound and 2 assists, and Cimmie Willis and Jamie Lauren Hickman each had a rebound. Charlie Woodside had 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 6 assists. The Ladycats shot 55.9% from the field and 88.9% from the foul line. They forced 21 Lady Viking turnovers.
The Wildcats trailed 15 – 10 at the end of the first quarter to the Vikings. They matched points in the second, but the third period saw Perry County pull out to a 43 – 27 lead. The Wildcats couldn’t cut into the margin and lost the contest by the final score of 58 – 44.
Tyler Moser led the Wildcats with 14 points. He had a double-double with 12 rebounds and blocked 3 shots. Clay Baugus scored 12 points and had a rebound, a steal, and 3 assists. Landyn Prater also hit for double figures with 11 points. Prater had 2 rebounds, 3 steals, and an assist. Ethan Camfield hit for 5 points and grabbed 3 rebounds, blocked a shot, and had 2 assists. Jesse Dixon added 2 points and had a rebound. Austin Whitson and Gaynes Keaton each had a rebound and an assist. Eli McClain had a steal. The Wildcats had 17 turnovers and were outrebounded 31 – 21.
The outcome of the Ladycats’ game against the Lady Mustangs at Loretto was never in question as Loretto jumped out to a 16 – 0 run to begin the game. The Ladycats couldn’t get the ball to the offensive end, committing turnovers in the back court, and when they did get down to their end, they couldn’t make the shots. The margin was 42 – 13 at the half, and the Ladycats fell hard, 70 – 28.
Annie Lee came off the bench to lead the Ladycats in scoring with 8 points. She was 2 of 2 from long range and 1 of 1 from two. She also came up with a steal. Lauren Bryant scored 7 points and had a rebound and an assist. Kelsey Carroll and Jac Keaton each scored 4 points. Carroll had a rebound and 3 assists. Michaela Gallian had 3 points and 3 rebounds, and Savanna McClain had 2 points with 4 rebounds and an assist. Kenzie Griggs had 2 steals, and Charlie Woodside had 3 rebounds and 2 assists. The Ladycats shot 30.8% from the field and only 50% from the foul line. They committed 21 turnovers, most coming at the beginning of the game.
The Wildcats kept pace with the Mustangs in the first quarter, trailing by only 2, 11 – 9. In the second quarter, Loretto doubled up the ‘Cats, and led 31 – 19 at halftime. In the third, they outscored the Wildcats 21 – 5 en route to a 68 – 34 win. Tyler Moser led the Wildcats with 15 points. He had 5 rebounds, a block, and a steal. Landyn Prater scored 6 points and had 2 boards, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Clay Baugus scored 5 points and had 2 rebounds and 3 steals. Jesse Dixon and Austin Whitson each scored 3 points and had 2 rebounds each. Eli McClain had 2 points and 2 boards. Gaynes Keaton had 2 rebounds and Dawson Willis had one. The ‘Cats shot 29.5% from the field and were outrebounded 27 – 18.
District action is continuing as the season is winding down. “WORK HARD ‘CATS AND LADYCATS!”—Submitted
