Playing at their home area to kick off the girls’ All-A, Owensboro Catholic opened up the tournament with a dominating 71-21 win over Middlesboro. They will host Bethlehem in the second round on Friday at 8:30 AM.
From tip-off, the Lady Aces defense suffocated the Lady Jackets, holding them to seven points in the first half.
“I thought we played hard the entire time,” Owensboro Catholic head coach Michael Robertson said. “I don’t like that we had 12 turnovers, and we need to cut those down. We rebounded the ball. In our last three games we allowed seven offensive rebounds, whereas at the beginning of the season, we were allowing much more.”
Leading 13-3 with a few minutes left in the first quarter, Owensboro Catholic’s offense overcame a sluggish start – ending the quarter on a 9-0 run. In the second quarter, the Lady Aces outscored the Lady Jackets 19-4 to take a commanding 41-7 halftime lead.
Middlesboro started the third quarter on a 5-3 run and finished the quarter with 11 of their 21 points. Leading 56-18 to start the fourth quarter, the Lady Aces finished the game on a 15-3 run.
Owensboro Catholic scored 50 points off 40 Middlesboro turnovers, including 18 second-chance points, and 25 points stemming from fast breaks.
Aubrey Randolph made her presence felt, finishing with 17 points on 7-13 shooting from the field, with four steals, and three rebounds. Claudia Munsey was second on the team in scoring with 12 points and added three rebounds. Katie Hagan and Karmin Riley led the team in steals and assists with six and four respectively.
“She is just doing a little of everything for us,” Robertson said. “She’s out there getting her hands on balls. Deflections. She is just being aggressive. I like what I am getting out of her, and I hope we can continue to get what we’re getting out of her. She’s being a difference maker.”
Facing off against Bethlehem in the second round, Robertson wants to see his team come out faster offensively and clean up the little things to keep their tournament run alive.
“We just have to hit shots,” Robertson said. “We are getting the shots and good looks. We just have to make sure to knock those looks down… We missed a lot of little bunnies. Little layups. We have to make sure to clean those up. That is a lot that’s between our ears and we have to make sure we are focused the entire time.”
In other All-A first-round action, Bethlehem beat Covington Holy Cross 70-64 to set up the second-round matchup with the Lady Aces. Leah Macey shot an impressive 11-15 to go along with her 29 points and 19 rebounds to lead the way.
Bishop Brossart beat Louisville Holy Cross 57-18 behind a suffocating defense that recorded 30 steals. Lexington Christian Academy took down Mayfield 51-21 behind Piper Graham’s double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. They will play Bishop Brossart in the second round.
Dansville Christian Academy cruised past Walton Verona 62-31, behind Grace Mbugua’s 17 points and 12 rebounds. Metcalfe County held off Menifee County 50-43, thanks to Jozie Allen’s double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds. They will play Dansville Christian Academy in the second round.
Crittenden County beat Martin County 51-32 behind Anna Boone and Jordyn Hodge combing for 33 points. Whitefield Academy held off Knott County Central 35-30, with Noel Smith leading the way with 21 points, seven rebounds, and five steals. They will play Crittenden County in the second round.
