Lady Cards fall 58-55 at home in season debut

Washington County used a 16-0 third-quarter run to go from three down to 13 up and held off Taylor County's Lady Cardinals 58-55 on Tuesday night in the season opener for both squads.

Taylor County took the lead at 9-8 on a MeLeigha Pollock basket in the paint and a Cayla Rucker few throw. The Lady Cardinals led until early in the third quarter when Jane Goatley's three-point play gave the Commanderettes the advantage at 29-27 with 5:19 left in the frame.

Washington County reeled off 13 more points before Taylor County ended the drought on two Rucker charity tosses.

A pair of Pollock three-pointers kept TCHS within striking distance, but the Commanderettes still led by seven points (51-44) with 2:56 left in the fourth period.

Coach David Parsons' team did use a run of its own to tie the game at 52-52.

Pollock's lay-up, two free throws and a lay-up by Rucker and Hope Wigginton's putback culminated Taylor County's 8-1 stretch.

However, Washington County scored the next five points before Wigginton converted a three-point play the old fashioned way at 8.0 to bring the Lady Cardinals to within 57-55.

Whitney Bowen's free throw at 6.3 made the final margin three.

Pollock paced the Lady Cardinals with 17 points while Rucker added 14 and Wigginton seven.

Senior Chelsea Railey, who did not play last season, led the Commanderettes with 22 (eight in the first quarter and 10 in the third frame) while fellow seniors Jane Goatley and Lee Goatley had 13 and 9, respectively, and sophomore Morgan Burton contributed eight.

Taylor County hosts Campbellsville on Tuesday with the girl/boy doubleheader starting at 6:00.

The Lady Cardinals then play at Adair County next Friday before going against Estill County at Garrard County on Dec. 8.