BUCKLEY’S CREEK, Ky. (WMDJ) – If one thing is true in local sports over the past couple seasons, it’s that you can never count out the current group of young ladies that make up the Prestonsburg Lady Blackcats, when it comes to postseason play.
As they did last year, Prestonsburg disposed of a 60th District team to advance to the semifinals of the 15th Region Girls’ Tournament, this time taking care of district champion Phelps 61-30 on Tuesday.
The last time Prestonsburg advanced to back-to-back appearances in the semifinals was 2015 and 2016.
Prestonsburg enjoyed a big performance from junior guard Jade Fitzpatrick, who finished with 18 points. The Lady Blackcats also got another gutty performance from injured senior guard Audrey Prater, who chipped in 13.
Phelps kept the action close despite committing 10 turnovers in the first quarter, trailing Prestonsburg 14-11 early. The Lady Blackcats would go on a 13-3 run in the second quarter to take control, with Fitzpatrick scoring eight of her team-high 18 points, while forcing seven additional Phelps turnovers. Prestonsburg led 27-14 at the half.
Prestonsburg would close the game out strong in the second half, outscoring Phelps 34-16.
Phelps junior guard Carleigh McCoy led the Lady Hornets with 15 points, as Phelps made its first appearance in the 15th Region Tournament quarterfinals since 2009.
Prestonsburg (19-13) will face Johnson Central in the second semifinal game on Thursday night, 8:15 p.m. at Pike County Central High School.
PRESTONSBURG (61) – Prater 4, 5-5 13. Fitzpatrick 7 (2) 2-4 18. Tackett 2, 4. A. Howard 2, 2-4 6. Newsome 1, 2. Slone 1, 2. Wright (2) 6. K. Stephens 2, 4. L. Stephens 1, 2. W. Howard 1, 2. Layne 1, 2. Allen 0,0. P. Slone 0,0. Goble 0,0.
FG Pct: 36.3% FT Pct: 69.2%. 3-PT (Prater 0-1, A. Howard 0-3, Fitzpatrick 2-6, K. Stephens 0-2, Wright 2-4, W. Howard 0-1). Fouls 19. Fouled out: none. Rebounds 28. Turnovers 17.
PHELPS (30) – McCoy 5, 5-6 15. Weddington (1) 2-2 5. Slone 2, 4-8 8. Ma. Dotson 0,0. Mounts 2-2 2. Norman 0,0. Yates 0,0. Wallace 0,0. Mo. Dotson 0,0.
FG Pct: 18.6%. FT Pct: 62.5%. 3-PT (McCoy 0-4, Weddington 1-4, Slone 0-2). Fouls 11. Fouled out: none. Rebounds 26. Turnovers 30.
