PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – The Pikeville Lady Panthers climbed back to the pinnacle of the 15th region defeating Johnson Central in the regional championship game Saturday, 70-41 at Appalachian Wireless Arena.
After suffering a heartbreaking loss to Lawrence County in last year’s title game, Pikeville came back determined to recapture the crown led by a core of four seniors that wanted to finish as champions.
Pikeville senior Kyera Thornsbury scored 17 points in the first half, connecting on four 3-pointers to set the pace as the Lady Panthers ran away from the Lady Eagles early.
The Lady Panthers scored 18 points off 15 forced turnovers, including 14 fast break points to simply outrun Johnson Central from the beginning. Pikeville forced Johnson Central into poor shot selection as well with the Lady Eagles shooting 27% from the floor for the game.
Tournament MVP senior Trinity Rowe scored 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field but did dish four assists. Rowe is a six-year member of the varsity squad. During that time, Pikeville is (137-28) in games she has taken part in.
Senior forward Rylee Theiss recorded a double-double with 12 points and grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds. Senior guard Kirsten Whited gave her usual steady effort scoring 13 points.
Pikeville won their fifth 15th Region title in six seasons. The title was their 7th overall as a school.
Pikeville (27-5) will take on 5th Region Bethlehem (26-8) in the KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 Tournament on Thursday, March 14th at 11 a.m. Pikeville defeated Bethlehem 78-52 in the Lady Panther Invitational Tournament on December 30th. Bethlehem was without the services of their star player, junior guard Leah Macy in the loss. Macy, a five-star recruit, has nearly 40 college offers which includes Kentucky, Tennessee, LSU, Georgia, Alabama, Ole Miss, Illinois, Arizona, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
PIKEVILLE (70) - Rowe 4 (2) 10. Whited 4 (2) 3-4 13. Thornsbury 4 (4) 7-8 19. Jackson 3 3-4 9. Theiss 4 4-4 12. Alvin 2 (1) 5. Rogers 1 2. Kidd 0. Stone 0. Lin 0. Ch Compton 0. Ca Compton 0. Woods 0. Collins 0.
FG Pct.: 55.0. FT Pct.: 85.0. 3-PT 9-15 (Rowe 2-4, Whited 2-5, Thornsbury 4-4, Alvin 1-1, Kidd 0-1). Rebounds 32. Fouls 18. Fouled out: none. Turnovers 15. Assists 17.
JOHNSON CENTRAL (41) - T. McKenzie 2 4-4 8. Stambaugh 0. Wright 3 3-5 9. K. McKenzie 1 2. Younce 0. Stanley 3 (2) 2-2 10. Burchett 1 4-6 6. Prater 2 (2) 6. Marsillett 0-2 0. Conley 0. Slone 0. Jarrell 0.
FG Pct.: 27.3. FT Pct.: 68.4. 3-PT 4-17 (T. McKenzie 0-5, K. McKenzie 0-1, Prater 2-5, Stanley 2-4, Burchett 0-2). Rebounds 21. Fouls 19. Fouled out: K. McKenzie. Turnovers 14. Assists 5.
JOHNSON CENTRAL 12 5 15 9 - 41
PIKEVILLE 22 14 24 10 - 70
All-Tournament Team:
Jaaliyah Warren - Belfry
Sophie Adkins - Lawrence Co.
Hannah May - Pike Co. Central
Alyssa Allen - Martin Co.
Audrey Prater - Prestonsburg
Allison Howard - Prestonsburg
Riley Jo Compton - Floyd Central
Maddy Engle - Floyd Central
Becca Wright - Johnson Central
Kaylyn McKenzie - Johnson Central
Taylor McKenzie - Johnson Central
Lee Ann Jackson - Pikeville
Kirsten Whited - Pikeville
Kyrea Thornsbury - Pikeville
Rylee Theiss - Pikeville
Tournament MVP:
Trinity Rowe - Pikeville
