The McCracken County Lady Mustangs trekked to Mount Washington for the annual Queen of the Commonwealth tournament hosted by Bullitt East, kicking off the event with the matchup against the Taylor County Lady Cardinals. With a 56-38 victory, the Lady Stangs ended Taylor County’s four-game win streak.
Claire Johnson led the Lady Mustangs with 20 points, while fellow senior Mikee Buchanan finished with 19—earning player of the game against Taylor County in the tournament. The senior duo posted 20 points in the first quarter, propelling the McCracken County squad to a 20-6 lead and a 13-0 run to bust open the Mustang offense.
With Buchanan winning the tip, McCracken began working quickly, but Taylor County got on the scoreboard first with a basket by freshman Kayley Benningfield. However, from there, the Lady Mustangs moved ahead with Johnson and Buchanan going on a 7-0 run before Bennington had an opportunity for a field goal and a free throw—cutting the Mustang lead down to 7-4.
Despite one more basket from the Lady Cardinals, the Lady Mustangs held them to only six points in the opening quarter with a skillful defense under the command of head coach Scott Sivills.
Like the first quarter, the Lady Mustangs dominated the court in the second. Along with Johnson and Buchanan, senior Jayden Skaggs added to the McCracken County lead with a 3-pointer to push the team to a 27-6 lead. Before Skaggs’ shot, freshman LeZharia Bolen joined the offensive powerhouse with a field goal. With a 9-0 run to open the second quarter, the Lady Cardinals could not hold their opponent’s offense.
Taylor County scored once in the quarter with a 3-point shot—otherwise, it was all Mustang courtesy of Johnson, Buchanan, Skaggs, Bolen, and eighth-grader Ava Hughes for a 36-9 lead at halftime.
Sophomore Reagan Hill kicked off the third quarter with a basket, moving the McCracken County lead to a 29-point difference. However, Taylor County took advantage of minor fouls against McCracken County with trips to the charity stripe. Despite the successful free throws from the Lady Cardinals, McCracken County remained stoic, pushing ahead 51-22.
Although Taylor County outscored McCracken County in the fourth quarter, the Lady Mustangs remained on top, collecting the sixth win of the season with a 56-38 finish.
MCCRACKEN COUNTY 56, TAYLOR COUNTY 38
TCHS 6 3 13 16 — 38
MCHS 20 16 15 5 — 56
MCHS: C. Johnson 20, M. Buchanan 19, R. Hill 9, J. Skaggs 3, L. Bolen 3, A. Hughes 2. FIELD GOALS: 18 (C. Johnson 6, M. Buchanan 6, A. Hughes 2, L. Bolen 2, R. Hill 2). 3-POINT FG: 5 (C. Johnson 2, M. Buchanan 2, J. Skaggs). FREE THROWS: 7/9. RECORD: 6-1.