Lawrence County defeats Paintsville in region semifinals 70-54

STAFF REPORT

BSN

PIKEVILLE — The champion out of the 58th District, Lawrence County, defeated Paintsville 70-54 in the semifinals of the 15th Region Girls’ Basketball Tournament at the Appalachian Wireless Arena on Friday, March 4.

Lawrence County (27-7) advanced to the 15th Region Girls’ Basketball Tournament title game after registering the win.

Following the season-ending loss, Paintsville exited the prep hoops campaign 19-13.

Lawrence County and Paintsville were tied 14-14 at the conclusion of the first quarter. However, Lawrence County outscored Paintsville 15-6 in the second quarter to lead 29-20 at halftime.

Lawrence County outscored Paintsville 18-6 in the third quarter to lead 47-26 heading into the final period.

The three-time defending 58th District champion, Lawrence County shot 48.1 percent (25 of 52) from the field. The Lady Bulldogs hit six of 21 three-point field goal attempts.

Lawrence County shot 73.7 percent (14 of 19) from the free throw line.

Kensley Feltner led Lawrence County to the win. Logging a double-double for Lawrence County, Feltner scored 30 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

Joining Feltner in double figures for Lawrence County, Kaison Ward scored 14 points and Leandra Curnutte netted 11 points. Narrowly missing a double-double for Lawrence County, Ward claimed nine rebounds.

Nearly reaching double figures for Lawrence County, Sophie Adkins netted nine points.

Emilea Preece scored 28 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead 57th District Runner-up Paintsville. Preece was the only Paintsville player to reach double figures. Behind Preece’s leading performance or the Lady Tigers, Ava Hyden added eight points and six rebounds.