State-Journal.com - Fast start spurs Lady Flyers

State Journal/Kelly Mackey Franklin County's Raven Timmons shoots from in-between Western Hills' Kaylah Roberts, left, Lauren Wooldridge and Krystal Cammuse in the first half of Friday's game.

Franklin County’s early lead was the last thing the Western Hills girls basketball team wanted to see.

It was exactly what the Lady Flyers were looking for.

FCHS (18-5) jumped out to a 10-0 lead Friday evening on its way to a 60-40 victory at Franklin County.

“We fell behind early, and in a district ballgame you can’t allow that to happen,” WHHS coach Kevin Radford said. “The girls were ready to play, but the ball didn’t bounce our way.

“I thought we handled the pressure for awhile, but their press hurt us and we fell behind,” he added. “We had to dig out of a hole, and that’s a hard thing to do in a district ballgame.”

The Lady Wolverines (6-13) trailed just 12-6 with 1:42 to go in the first quarter, but Franklin County started an 11-0 run that ended with 4:14 to go in the second quarter and FCHS leading 23-6.

“I was really proud of our defensive effort the first half,” FCHS coach Joey Thacker said. “We didn’t give up a lot of driving lanes in the paint.

“I’m so proud of Emily Hampton, Chelsea Brown and Raven Timmons,” he added. “They came off the bench and give us a boost. We had 17 assists, which is great for us.”

The Lady Flyers led 16-6 at the end of the first quarter and 29-13 at halftime.

WHHS’ Meagan Walker and Krystal Cammuse both hit 3-pointers in the first 3½ minutes of the third quarter, pulling the Lady Wolverines within 12 points at 32-20, but FCHS scored the next 15 points.

Hampton hit two 3-pointers during the run and Timmons scored five points.

That made the score 47-20 at the end of the third quarter. Franklin County’s largest lead was 29 points, 52-23, after Andrea Howard hit a 3-pointer with 5:42 left in the game.

“Andrea continues to play well and shot lights out,” Thacker said. “We talked about getting points from our defense. We knew we’d have fewer field goal opportunities because they’re such a zone team.

“We could have played better defense in the fourth quarter,” he added, “but sometimes kids have trouble keeping their focus when they get up by a bunch.”
FCHS had 10 players score, led by Howard and Chelsea Craig with 13 points.

Walker led all players with 16 points.

“I told them I was pleased with the intensity,” Radford said. “They came to play tonight, and that’s one thing we don’t always see every time out. They didn’t give up, and they were still fighting and battling.

“We knew they’d have a post presence,” he added, “and we’d have to shoot outside more. We hit some threes, and we shot better.”

Western Hills’ next game is Monday at Estill County.

Franklin County was scheduled to play at Lexington Christian Saturday, and the Lady Flyers travel to Shelby County Monday.
“I think the kids are playing with a lot of confidence,” Thacker said. “I think they’ve been playing that way since we played Scott County Jan. 4.”

FCHS has gone 7-1 since losing 67-55 at Scott County.

WESTERN HILLS (40) – Danielle Watson 12, Meagan Walker 16, Kendyl Vandergriff 1, Krystal Cammuse 11.

FRANKLIN CO. (60) – Emily Hampton 6, Chelsea Rivers 4, Andrea Howard 13, Brittany Mello 2, Chelsea Brown 8, Lauren Taylor 1, Raven Timmons 8, Lacinda Hack 1, Ashli Mayes 4, Chelsea Craig 13.