By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com
MORTONS GAP -- Some of the western Kentucky's most highly touted girls high school basketball players were on display Saturday evening during the annual Kentucky-Indiana Jr. All-Star game at Hopkins County Central.
Hopkins County players stole the show in a 41-32 Kentucky win, but several regional players also appeared on the Indiana Elite 16U roster, which set up some interesting matchups.
Madisonville-North Hopkins post players KeKe Drake and Tayla Foster teamed with Webster County Lady Trojan Lynette Harris to clog the lanes against a much smaller Indiana squad.
"Their team was full of all guards, so we took advantage of them in the post in the second half," Drake said.
Indiana held a slim, one-point lead at halftime, but Kentucky took a 28-25 advantage late in the third on a three-point play by Foster and never surrendered.
"They didn't have much of an answer for our interior post players," coach Erik Peyton said.
The team's defense, led by sophomore Shalara Wells, also played a pivotal role.
Hopkins County players stole the show in a 41-32 Kentucky win, but several regional players also appeared on the Indiana Elite 16U roster, which set up some interesting matchups.
Madisonville-North Hopkins post players KeKe Drake and Tayla Foster teamed with Webster County Lady Trojan Lynette Harris to clog the lanes against a much smaller Indiana squad.
"Their team was full of all guards, so we took advantage of them in the post in the second half," Drake said.
Indiana held a slim, one-point lead at halftime, but Kentucky took a 28-25 advantage late in the third on a three-point play by Foster and never surrendered.
"They didn't have much of an answer for our interior post players," coach Erik Peyton said.
The team's defense, led by sophomore Shalara Wells, also played a pivotal role.
"I think she's probably one of the best on-ball defenders that we have and she's the youngest on the team," Peyton said.
Kentucky outscored Indiana 22-12 in the second half.
Peyton said his team showed greater patience in the final 16 minutes and worked as a unit.
"They always come out and try to do what I ask, give a full effort," he said. "Most of them ask questions, so you can just tell they're all competitors and want to win."
Some high school teammates like Drake and Foster worked together with fellow Lady Maroon Lyndi Tedder to create a smooth offensive flow. Others like Webster's Ellie Steiner and Kerstin Hayes found themselves wearing opposing jerseys on Saturday.
Steiner, who has played with the Elite for a couple summers, even dropped a three-pointer on Hayes to take a brief 25-23 lead.
"When I hit that three, I was like 'Ah,' man, she's going to get me for that one,'" Steiner said. "I didn't know what she was going to do to me."
While Steiner may have led her squad with nine points, Hayes' crew secured the victory.
Henderson County's Ariel Barnes also crossed state borders to play with the Indiana team.
Lady Storm guard Hannah Murphy looked sharp for Kentucky as she chipped in with six points. Murphy's points came on back-to-back three-point attempts within 30 seconds of each other in the second quarter.
Drake said Murphy and Tedder's play at the point aided the team significantly.
"It's great because both of them can shoot threes, so if we don't have a shot (inside), we can rely on them to make a three," Drake said.
Tedder proved her skills shooting from outside, driving the lane and finding open teammates. Tedder finished with a game-high 13 points. Drake also reached double-digits with 12.
Indiana 8 12 5 7 -- 32
Kentucky 6 13 9 13 -- 41
Indiana: Ellie Steiner 9, Sarah Thomas 7, Kelsie Linneweber 5, Giorgia Stringer 5, Erica Carpenter 4, Tessa Lynch 2
Kentucky: Lyndi Tedder 13, KeKe Drake 12, Hannah Murphy 6, Tayla Foster 4, Hadley Burns 2, Kerstin Hayes 2, Shalara Wells 2
Kentucky outscored Indiana 22-12 in the second half.
Peyton said his team showed greater patience in the final 16 minutes and worked as a unit.
"They always come out and try to do what I ask, give a full effort," he said. "Most of them ask questions, so you can just tell they're all competitors and want to win."
Some high school teammates like Drake and Foster worked together with fellow Lady Maroon Lyndi Tedder to create a smooth offensive flow. Others like Webster's Ellie Steiner and Kerstin Hayes found themselves wearing opposing jerseys on Saturday.
Steiner, who has played with the Elite for a couple summers, even dropped a three-pointer on Hayes to take a brief 25-23 lead.
"When I hit that three, I was like 'Ah,' man, she's going to get me for that one,'" Steiner said. "I didn't know what she was going to do to me."
While Steiner may have led her squad with nine points, Hayes' crew secured the victory.
Henderson County's Ariel Barnes also crossed state borders to play with the Indiana team.
Lady Storm guard Hannah Murphy looked sharp for Kentucky as she chipped in with six points. Murphy's points came on back-to-back three-point attempts within 30 seconds of each other in the second quarter.
Drake said Murphy and Tedder's play at the point aided the team significantly.
"It's great because both of them can shoot threes, so if we don't have a shot (inside), we can rely on them to make a three," Drake said.
Tedder proved her skills shooting from outside, driving the lane and finding open teammates. Tedder finished with a game-high 13 points. Drake also reached double-digits with 12.
Indiana 8 12 5 7 -- 32
Kentucky 6 13 9 13 -- 41
Indiana: Ellie Steiner 9, Sarah Thomas 7, Kelsie Linneweber 5, Giorgia Stringer 5, Erica Carpenter 4, Tessa Lynch 2
Kentucky: Lyndi Tedder 13, KeKe Drake 12, Hannah Murphy 6, Tayla Foster 4, Hadley Burns 2, Kerstin Hayes 2, Shalara Wells 2
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