PIKEVILLE – Floyd Central overcame a third-period deficit to take the lead away from Martin County and held on to escape with a heart-stopping 52-51 victory in the opening round of the girls’ 15th Region Tournament played at the Appalachian Wireless Arena on Monday night.
The Lady Jags, now 20-8, advance to Friday night’s semifinals while the Lady Cardinals season ends at 21-10.
Both teams had chances in the final minute. Floyd Central missed a trio of one-and-one free throw attempts, the Lady Cardinals missed a pair of foul shots and then threw the basketball away on the game’s final play which denied a potential game-winning shot.
Katie Jo Moore, who fouled out late in the fourth period, led the Lady Jaguars with 17 points. Grace Martin and Kennedy Harvel followed with 12 apiece.
Martin County standout Madison Thompson poured in a game-high 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, including 11 on the defensive glass, to finish with a double-double.
Kristen Isaac tossed in 12 and Lakyn Porter had 10.
Floyd Central will face Shelby Valley.
At Pikeville
(15th Region Tournament)
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
FC (20-8)….13 16 7 16 – 52
MC (21-10)..12 14 16 9 – 51
Scoring:
Floyd Central (52) – Kennedy Harvel 4 4-4 12; Katie Jo Moore 7(1) 0-2 17; Kamryn Shannon 0(1) 0-1 3; Brooke Stumbo 1 0-0 2; Grace Martin 5 2-2 12; and Natalie Holle 3 0-0 6. Totals: 20(2) 6-9 52.
Martin County (51) – Madison Thompson 7 7-9 21; Graci Snyder 1 0-0 2; Lakyn Porter 3(1) 1-1 10; Lynndsey Cassell 1(1) 1-4 6; and Kristen Isaac 4 4-6 12. Totals: 16(2) 13-20 51.