The JV Lady Cougars dropped a hard fought, overtime game to Floyd County, 35-26. The game on January 29 featured tough defense from both teams and remained close throughout.
For most of the first three quarters, the Lady Cougars trailed, while keeping Lady Buffaloes within striking distance. Late in the third quarter, Sheylan Lester hit a big jump shot to take a two-point lead into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was as tough as the first three, with solid defense on both sides, making it tough to score. Floyd regained the lead, which it held for much of the quarter, leading by three with just 35 seconds to go in the game. A Meredith Wood free-throw got the Cougars to within two.
The Cougar home crowd erupted when Gracen Connor stole the Lady Buffalo inbound pass and drove to the basket for the game-tying layup with 29 seconds to go. Neither team could score in the time remaining, sending the game to a four-minute overtime period.
Floyd County grabbed the momentum back with a huge three-pointer in the first minute of overtime. Another three-pointer with just over two-minutes to go increased their lead to seven, and tight defensive play held the Lady Cougars to one point in overtime, giving the Lady Buffaloes the 35-26 victory.
Sheylan Lester led the Lady Cougars with 9 points, 2 blocked shots and 6 rebounds. Gracen Conner, Martinia Hubbard and Lauren Hazelwood all chipped in four points each.
They “battled hard tonight. I am so proud of their effort and hustle,” said Lady Cougar Head Coach, Grace Helms, who also appreciated the Cougar faithful who cheered them on throughout the game. “It felt great to have a full gym.”
