The 3rd Region Girls Basketball Tournament bracket has been released, and Daviess County is looking to win its second straight title. They finished this year’s regular season 25-5 and went an impressive 12-3 in region play.
The last game of the opening round, Daviess County will take on Muhlenberg County Tuesday evening at 7:45 pm. Having last faced off against each other in the first week of the season, a 61-40 Lady Panthers win, Daviess County enters the first round on a high-note. They are fresh off of a 16-point comeback win over Owensboro Catholic in the 9th District title.
Averaging 23.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, all eyes will be on Kennedy Lane, who just became the programs all-time leading scorer. Riley Hayden has emerged as one of the top three-point shooters in the state, averaging 13.4 points per game, while shooting 48.6% from deep.
Behind them is a balanced attack that includes Briley Henry, Molly Hancock, Maddie Barron, and Jenna Stewart.
“I like where my players are mentally right now,” Daviess County Head Coach Natalie Payne said. “They are locked into the details, the fundamentals, film, and the scouting report. Our team knows what it takes to make a run, but we also believe in the game one mentality at a time.”
Next to them in the bracket is Mead County and Butler County, who tip off Tuesday evening at 6 pm.
The first game of the tournament, later this evening at 6 pm, will see McLean County take on Edmonson County. McLean County will be looking to revenge, having lost their only matchup of the season by five points.
The Lady Cougars are led by a balanced attack – spearheaded by Anna Miller (13.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg), Karlee Floyd (13.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg), and Ella Larkin (11.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg).
“Our team is excited and motivated to play the first round of Region after winning the District Championship,” McLean County Head Coach Eli Ellis said. “Our team needs to continue to let our defensive pressure be our staple, along with making sure we stay efficient on our shot selections and finishing around the rim.”
Capping off the final game of the first day is Owensboro Catholic and Breckinridge County, two of the top teams in the Region. The two matched up recently, with Breckinridge winning by four in overtime.
The Lady Aces will have their hands full with the Lady Tigers duo of Elizabeth Grimes (16.o ppg, 2.8 rpg), and Rowan Radaszewski (13.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg).
Owensboro Catholic boasts one of the deeper lineups in the tournament, led by their starting five of Taylor Mannahan (12.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg,), Katie Hagan (12.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Claudia Munsey (12.0 ppg, 39.5% from deep), Layla Martin (9.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg), and Sophia Newby (8.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg).
“We have to take care of the basketball and play a full game.” Owensboro Catholic Head Coach Michael Robertson said. “The last two weeks we have struggled to do that, and we have to take it one game at a time.”
