The Christian County Lady Colonels’ basketball season came to a close Monday night at the hands of Caldwell County, 62-51, in the Girls’ Region 2 Basketball Tournament quarterfinals at Hopkins County Central High School.
Despite 24 points from Anaysia Bagwell, Christian County could not hold off Caldwell County, who rallied from a 12-point first-half deficit to get the victory.
The Lady Colonels (14-10) opened the game strong as its pressure defense helped them take a 20-8 lead. However, things began to change when junior forward Carlie Hobson was whistled for her second foul late in the first quarter. Hobson joined starting guard, senior Adreyona Smith, on the bench as Smith also picked up two quick fouls.
The Lady Tigers began to chip away at the lead. While Christian County employed a box-and-chaser defense and rotated players to guard Caldwell’s star guard, Tink Clark, it was hard to defend the free throw line.
Clark hit six of eight free throws in the first half and the Lady Tigers’ inside game of KeDarriah Thompson and Alaiyaa Shearer dominated the offensive boards.
Christian County’s lead was only 28-25 at halftime.
Caldwell County took a brief lead in the third quarter led by the play of sophomore Audrey McCoy and Clark. The two teams traded leads until the Lady Colonels were able to lead 39-38 entering the final period.
However, the Lady Tigers’ trapping defense helped them grab an early fourth-quarter lead and the Lady Colonels’ efforts were hurt further when Hobson fouled out with 4:27 to go.
Caldwell pushed its lead to 53-44 before Bagwell began a personal comeback. The senior scored on a three-pointer and made another basket to draw Christian County to within 53-49. However, that was as close as the Lady Colonels could get the rest of the way.
Clark finished with 19 points, including 11 of 14 free throws, and McCoy added 18 points for the Lady Tigers, who improved to 15-12. Caldwell advances to play Crittenden County in the 6 p.m. semifinals on Friday. The Lady Rockets blew out Webster County 57-20 in the first game on Monday.
For the Lady Colonels, it is the last game in school history as the new school will open for the 2026-27 season.
Tonight, Hopkinsville will take on Hopkins County Central at 6 p.m. Airtime is 5:45 p.m. on 99.3 FM and 1230 AM WHOP.
The second game tonight features Lyon County against Henderson County at 7:30 p.m.
Score by Quarters:
Caldwell County 10 15 13 24 – 62
Christian County 20 8 11 12 – 51
Individual Scoring:
Caldwell (15-12) – Clark 19, Thomas 3, Whitaker 2, Thompson 11, Shearer 9, McCoy 18.
Christian (14-10) – A. Bell 5, George 1, Smith 2, Bagwell 24, Hobson 8, Brazelton 3, Hickman 8.
3-Point Goals: Caldwell – None; Christian – Bagwell 3, A. Bell.
Photos by Peyton Biaquis