Lady Rebels split opening week

By: BRIAN BLAIR

The Lady Rebels battled back all night. In the end, they needed two more shots. Grant County defeated Owen County 50-46 last Monday night in Dry Ridge. It was the opener for both teams.
Owen County was playing the game shorthanded. Senior guard Kendall Cochran was unable to play in the game due to sickness. Without Cochran in the lineup, the Lady Rebels struggled early to get into rhythm. Grant County jumped out to an early 6-0 lead before Kelsey Williams scored with 3:12 to play in the first quarter for Owen County’s first basket of the season. The Lady Braves led 16-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Owen County bounced back in the second quarter. The Lady Rebels scored the first four points in the second quarter to cut the lead to 16-11. Coach Bob Osborne’s team got good play off the bench in the quarter from Samantha Toole who scored six of the Lady Rebels’ 12 second-quarter points. At halftime Owen County trailed 25-19.
The Lady Rebels came out of the locker room and scored the first five points of the third quarter to trim the lead to 26-24. Every time Grant County looked like they might pull away, Owen County would respond. Bethany Hopperton’s free throws at the beginning of the fourth quarter gave the home team what looked to be a commanding 39-30 lead. That is when Jensen Wainscott and the Lady Rebels went to work. The sophomore, Wainscott, would score the next seven points to cut the lead to 39-37. Her lay-up with 4:20 to play in the game tied the score at 42-42.
Salena McIntosh knocked down a three-pointer and then on the Lady Braves’ next possession hit one of two free throws to put Grant County on top 46-42. Kelsey Williams scored on the Lady Rebels’ next two trips to keep her team within two at 48-46. With less than a minute to play, Jensen Wainscott missed a jump shot that would have tied the score. Grant County came down with the rebound and Hopperton was fouled and went to the free throw line where she made one of two to give the Lady Braves a 49-46 advantage with: 22 to play. Owen County got off two good shots but neither went in and Grant County hit a free throw with 1.6 seconds left to seal the win.
Wainscott led the Lady Rebels in scoring with 18 points. Williams added 11 points and pulled down 20 rebounds. Toole finished the game with eight points while Dani Hutchinson added four. Eko Kemper tossed in three and Lauren Lowe had two points.
The Lady Rebels bounced back and defeated Williamstown 61-40 on Friday night in Williamstown. With the win Owen County improved to 1-1 on the season.
Owen County will be on the road once again on Friday night when they travel Carroll County to take on the Lady Panthers. The Lady Rebels will play on their home court for the first time on Monday night when they will host Gallatin County.

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