Late free throws lock up Lady Comet victory

By Denver Brown - Executive Editor

February 20, 2008 02:45 pm

— SUMMIT - A big third quarter helped the Lady Comets overcome hosting Boyd County, 59-52, last Friday night. West Carter outscored the Lions by 11 in the decisive period then connected on 10-13 from the free throw line down the stretch to ice the region win.
“This was a good win because it was playing against a team that plays the type of defense we’ll see in the postseason. That physical style of play,” Lady Comet head coach Von Perry told The Journal-Times about her bunch. “This group of kids is fully capable if they just believe in themselves -- that’s the key.”
Monica Stevens scored seven of her game-best 22 points in the fourth quarter to lead the West Carter offense. Brittany Tackett added 15 points for the girls from Olive Hill. Sydnie Cox put in all nine of her points after the break where the Lady Comets outscored the hosts, 32-24, during the stretch.
West couldn’t match their intensity from the Boyd County win at district rival Morgan County the next night. The Cougars scored the 64-42 win little more than a week prior to the tip of the 62nd District Tournament. Brittany Oney finished with 14 points in the loss.
In next week’s opening round of the tournament in Sandy Hook, West and East square off in one matchup while the hosting Lions from Elliott County face Morgan County. The Lady Raiders swept the two-game regular-season series from West Carter, but the Lady Comets only lost by a bucket last month and actually held a seven-point lead in the final period.
“Anytime you’re playing you’re rival, there’s extra motivation,” Coach Perry said of the East/West matchup. “And with it being in the first-round of the tournament, you win or go home. So sure that’s added motivation and incentive and they kids feel that.”