FIRST TIME: Danville Christian survives young Wayne County squad for first regional tournament victory

Photo by Nico Pascarella

STANFORD - It was a David vs. Goliath matchup in the first game of the girls' 12th Region Tournament on Monday night, as the Danville Christian Lady Warriors, owners of a nine-game winning streak and with only two losses on the season, came up against a young Wayne County squad that, despite their losses this year, has shown every bit of potential to be a team to watch in the future.

For a half at least, it was David that was winning the battle as the Lady Cards took a slim lead into intermission. However, the play of Grace Mbugua, and her 38 points, was key in leading Danville Christian to their first ever 12th Region Tournament win 61-47 over Wayne County.

It was early paint domination by Danville Christian, as both Grace Mbugua and Amauri Blackford scored down low. Adeline Heatherly was the first to score for the Lady Cards, before a three-point play by Mbugua gave the Warriors a 7-2 edge in the ball game. Kelci Debord drained a three, the first for either team, to cut their deficit down to just two.

Mbugua continued her dominance in the paint after some traded baskets and forced the Cards to call for a timeout. That timeout was just what they needed however, as they ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to take the lead for the first time in the ball game at 15-13. Both Abigail Heatherly and Jordan Collom drained three-pointers during this run.

Abigail Heatherly continued to pay dividends to begin play in the second quarter, as she drained another three to open up the Wayne County lead to five. The Warriors quickly traded with a three of their own though. Baskets from Harlow Clark and Adeline Heatherly brought the Cards lead up to 22-16 before Mbugua cut it to three after a two plus a made free throw.

Abigail Heatherly continued to play out of her mind in the first half with a steal and two that gave Wayne County a 24-20 lead. Kelci Debord had a two that was followed by a basket inside by Blackford shortly before the teams went into the locker room. Following a Mbugua statement block to end the half, it was the Cards that went into the break ahead by just one point at 26-25.

Photo by Nico Pascarella

The Lady Warriors were quick to take the lead in the third quarter after two from Braxtyn Heck plus an offensive put-back by Mbugua. Wayne County wouldn't back down though and were right back in the game following two made free throws by Cami Debord plus a huge hustle play by Collom that saw the senior dive into the scorer's table. Four straight by Mbugua increased the Warriors' lead to six at 34-28.

Adeline Heatherly kept pressure on Danville Christian with her first two points of the period. The Lady Cards' Clark and Cami Debord scored four in a row to cut their deficit down to just 36-34 midway through the quarter. It was Mbugua that just refused to let the game be tied, scoring five of the next six points. A buzzer-beating put-back from Grace Meyer gave Danville Christian a 43-37 lead heading into the final quarter and put them just eight minutes away from one of the biggest wins in program history.

Cami Debord was the first player to score in the fourth, although Danville Christian quickly had their biggest lead of the game at 48-39 following a three from Meyer and a put-back by Mbugua. The Cardinals kept trading baskets with the Warriors, but it soon became clear that a comeback was "not in the Cards" for this young team. A Mbugua three put a stamp on this one and Danville Christian soon won their first regional tournament game 61-47.

Mbugua led all scorers with 38 points, while Cami Debord was the leading scorer for the Cards with 12. This Wayne County squad will be one to watch in the next few years. Best of luck as well to their seniors Jordan Collom and Cami Debord as well in all of their future pursuits.

The Lady Warriors will advance to the semifinals on Friday, where they will play the winner of the nightcap game between Mercer County and Rockcastle County.