CORBIN — Survive and advance.
That’s the name of the game in March, and South Laurel did just that, surviving a scare from 52nd District champion Bell County by pulling out a 57-55 win.
The Lady Cardinals advance with the two-point win, and will play against crosstown rival North Laurel during Thursday’s semifinal action.
South Laurel fought back from a two-point halftime deficit, finishing the game 20-of-61 from the floor while hitting 5-of-21 shot attempts from 3-point range.
Maci Messer led the way for the Lady Cardinals, scoring 10 of her team-high 17 points in the first quarter. Jamie Buenaventura followed with 12 points and 14 rebounds while Shelbie Mills added 10 points.
Gracie Jo Wilder turned in a game-high 34-point scoring effort for the Lady Bobcats. She also had seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
Kairi Lamb added 11 points and eight rebounds.
It was a tale of two quarters in the first half.
South Laurel stormed out to an 18-7 lead in the first quarter behind a 10-point effort from Maci Messer.
But with the good came the bad.
Skeeter Mabe recorded her second foul just two minutes into the game, forcing her to sit out until midway through the second quarter.
Bell County began to take advantage of Mabe’s absence, and began the second quarter to claim a 25-24 lead with 6:06 remaining in the first half.
The lead changed hands a couple of times before a basket by Gracie Jones Wilder gave the Lady Bobcats a 29-28 advantage with 2:50 remaining.
Bell County was able to take a 31-29 lead into halftime thanks to a 12-of-19 shooting effort, and 18 points by Wilder. Kairi Lamb added seven points while Lauren McGeorge chipped in four points and five assists.
Messer led the Lady Cardinals with 10 points while South Laurel’s connected on 12-of-32 shot attempts. Shelbie Mills and Aubrey Bundy scored five points apiece.
Both teams struggled offensively in the third quarter the lead changing hand numerous times.
Despite their shooting woes, the Lady Cardinals managed to grab a 38-37 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Two free throw by Shelbie Mills pushed South Laurel’s edge to 42-37, but Wilder took over and scored six consecutive points to give Bell County a short-lived 43-42 lead.
Mabe answered with a scoop shot at the 5:21 mark, allowing the Lady Cardinals to regain a 44-43 advantage.
Jamie Buenaventura followed with a basket and Messer connected with two free throws pushing South Laurel’s lead to 48-43
Wilder connected with a jumper to cut the Lady Bobcats’ deficit to 48-45 3:53 remaining.
Buenaventura gave the Lady Cardinals a 50-45 advantage thanks to a reverse layup at the 3:21 mark.
A basket by Messer increased South Laurel’s lead to 52-47, but Bell County went on a 6-2 run to cut its deficit to one point (54-53) with 44 second left in regulation.
Buenaventura followed with two free throws, giving the Lady Cardinals a 56-53 cushion.
Bell County answered with a layup at the 3.9 mark while a free throw by Buenaventura with 1.9 remaining sealed the win for South Laurel.
