59TH DISTRICT TOURNAMENT: Defending champs down Valley in finals

Defending 15th Region champion Pikeville used a strong second-half performance to rally past Shelby Valley, 55-38, in the girls’ 59th District tournament championship game played at T.W. Oliver Memorial Gymnasium on Friday night.

The Lady Panthers, now 22-5, were led by Trinity Rowe and Kenzie Maynard with 16 points each. Kristen Whited tossed in 11 and Emma Ratliff added nine.

Kyra Looney paced the Lady Kats (12-10) with 12 points and Alyssa Elswick tallied nine.

Pikeville will face Paintsville (14-10) in opening round action in the 15th Region tournament on March 24. Game time is 8:15 pm.

Shelby Valley takes on Johnson Central (20-4) on March 25. Game time is 6:30 pm.

At Pikeville

(59th District championship)

SCORE BY QUARTERS:

SV (12-10)…….6  15  10  7 – 38

PK (22-5)……..8  10  19  18 – 55

Scoring:

Shelby Valley (38) – Kyra Looney 1(3) 1-1 12; Alyssa Elswick 3(1) 0-0 9; Jazzy Meade 1(1) 0-2 5; Zoee Johnson 1 2-2 4; Cassidy Rowe 2 0-0 4; Kelsey Owens 0 2-2 2; and Laci Johnson 0 2-2 2. Totals: 8(5) 7-9 38.

Pikeville (55) – Trinity Rowe 3(2) 4-4 16; Emma Ratliff 0(3) 0-0 9; Kenzie Maynard 5 6-6 16; Kristen Whited 2(2) 1-2 11; and Kylie Hall 1 1-4 3. Totals: 11(7) 12-16 55.

Next up: Shelby Valley vs. Johnson Central (20-4), 15th Region tournament, 6:30 pm, Mar. 25; Pikeville (22-5) vs. Paintsville (14-10), 15th Region tournament, 8:15 pm, Mar 24.