15th REGION TOURNAMENT: Lady Cats knock off Lady Hawks

PIKEVILLE – Pike Central wanted to slow the game down against Shelby Valley and they did for the most part.

When the Lady Wildcats were able to breakaway they did with success and went on to beat Pike Central, 45-25, in the opening round of the girls’ 15th Region Tournament played at the Appalachian Wireless Arena on Monday night.

Central, which saw its season end at 13-16, was held scoreless in the second period as Shelby Valley took a 21-7 lead at the break. A big third quarter helped the Lady Cats pull away for good.

Alyssa Elswick and Alyssa Newsom had 12 points apiece to lead Valley, now 21-8. Laci Johnson and Cassidy Rowe chipped in six apiece.

Pike Central’s Kelsi Brinager led all scorers with 18 points.

Valley will face Floyd Central in Friday night’s semifinals.

At Pikeville

(15th Region Tournament)

SCORE BY QUARTERS:

PC (13-16)…7   0   7   11 – 25

SV (21-8)….11  10  16  8 – 45

Scoring:

Pike Central (25) – Bailey Birchfield 0 2-2 2; Kelsi Brinager 5 8-12 18; Lexi Newsome 0 0-2 0; Chloe Neece 0(1) 0-0 3; Alexis Taylor 1 0-0 2. Totals: 6(1) 10-15 25.

Shelby Valley (45) – Laci Johnson 3 0-0 6; Alyssa Elswick 5 2-3 12; Alyssa Newsom 5 2-2 12; Cassidy Rowe 0(2) 0-0 6; Tori Hampton 0 4-8 4; Sarah Robinson 0 0-1 0; and Jazzy Meade 1 0-0 2. Totals: 14(3) 8-14 45.