Lady Rebels hope to begin new streak

When Henry County defeated Owen County on Dec. 18, 2009, it was the last time the Lady Rebels had lost a game to a 31st district opponent.
Since that time, the team had won 27 consecutive games.
That streak ended Thursday night.
The Lady Rebels played their first game after the Christmas break Thursday night against Gallatin County High School at home. The Lady Wildcats began the season as a team that many believed could challenge Owen County in the district.  Lady Rebels won the first matchup in December in Warsaw, but that did not stop the Lady Wildcats from coming to Owenton with confidence.
Gallatin County got out of the gates quickly as they opened up a 10-1 lead to begin the game. They would extend the lead to 21-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Owen County would begin the comeback in the second quarter as they fought their way back into the game.
Every time the Lady Rebels would get close or start to build momentum, the Lady Wildcats would come up with a big play to keep the Lady Rebels at bay.
The Lady Rebels were able to even things up in the fourth quarter when Kennedi Dermon made a pair of free throws to tie the game at 43-43 with 4:51 left to play. Gallatin County would not fold as they rolled off five straight points to push the advantage to 48-43. They would not look back as they went on to win 54-50.
It was the first win by the Lady Wildcats over the Lady Rebels since Dec. 14, 2009 when they won by the same score also in Owenton.
Courtney Waldrop led Owen County with 15 points, followed by Madison Reed with 11 points. Hannah Neeley finished with ten points while Madison Gamble and Dermon each added seven.
Owen County didn’t have to wait long to begin another winning streak as they took on Henry CountySaturday.
The outcome was never in doubt as the Lady Rebels won handily 65-14.
Neeley made good on five 3-pointers in scoring 20 points. Reed added 13 to go along with Waldrop, who scored eight points. Shelby Gambrell tossed seven points while Gamble finished with six points. Dermon had a good afternoon and finished with four points, five assists and three steals. Ashton Marcum tossed in three points and Julie Spaulding and Carla Carfora each had two.
The games were the first games after the team spent the week of Christmas playing in the Staxx BBQ Capital City Showdown in Frankfort. The Rebels went 2-2 during the event winning big over Williamsburg and Allen Central and dropping games to Franklin County and Bishop Brossart.
Reed led the Lady Rebels against Williamsburg with 17 points. Waldrop added 15. Neeley led the way with 12 versus Franklin County, 35 against Allen Central including six 3-pointers and 23 more against Bishop Brossart.
Owen County will be back in action tonight (Wednesday) as they travel to Eminence for the first round of the Eighth Region All ‘A’ Classic.
The Lady Rebels open up the tournament by taking on the three-time defending champion Walton-Verona at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Bearcats also won the state tournament a season ago.
The two teams met last season in the finals at Williamstown with Walton-Verona winning 53-47.
Walton-Verona defeated Owen County earlier this season in Owenton 55-36 on Dec. 3.
The winner will advance to the semifinals Friday night where they will take on the winner of the Eminence versus Trimble County game at 7:30 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday night at 7 p.m.

Hannah Neeley goes to the basket against Gallatin.

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