Janiya Leslie splits the Columbia defense and gets to the rim for a basket on Monday night. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
SHELBYVILLE — Any postseason win on the home court is a good win. Shelbyville Central tipped-off the postseason on Monday night, hosting Columbia in the District 9-4A play-in game in Rick Insell Gymnasium and following a sluggish start to the game, got a huge second half from Lanaya Young as the Eaglettes took care of business against the Lady Lions, 49-37.
Simply put, the opening quarter was an all-out struggle for both offenses to find their footing, combining for just eight points in the period.
The only points of the quarter came from baskets from Young a
Morgan Pridmore battles against the Columbia defense and works her way to the basket. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
nd Jada Berry, while the half court was a struggle to find shots to fall.
Making matters worse, Eaglette guard Jaz Western went down with an injury with inside a minute to play in the period and did not return to the game.
But after the slow start, things started clicking for Shelbyville, who got four points from Young and Yasmine McFarland in the second quarter, along with a timely 3-pointer from Janiya Leslie.
Even with a last second-quarter surge by the Lady Lions, the Eaglettes held a 20-15 lead at the break.
In the second half, Shelbyville asserted its aggressiveness in the half court and was able to effectively get to the line, as well as score in the paint.
Morgan Pridmore supplied the muscle off the low post, scoring six points in the third, while Young added four of her own.
In the third, Shelbyville opened up a double-digit lead it was able to maintain through the remainder of the game on a 14-8 run.
In the fourth, Young erupted for 11 points and was a perfect 3-of-3 from the line.
For the game, Shelbyville went 10-of-19 from the line, but Young finished 5-of-7 attempts.
She turned in a game-high 21 points and was the only Eaglette to hit double figures.
Columbia’s Natasia Barner was the only Lady Lion to hit double figures and finished with 11.
Shelbyville’s postseason marches on with the victory and will advance to the semifinals on Saturday against No. 2 seed Lincoln County at 2 p.m.
Columbia 4 11 8 14 — 37
Shelbyville 4 16 14 15 — 49
Columbia: Natasia Barner 11, Tristia Shaw 8, Kylee Martin 8, Brooklyn Duke 6, Kenzie Burkeen 4.
Shelbyville: Lanaya Young 21, Yasmine McFarland 6, Morgan Pridmore 6, Jada Berry 5, Nijah Gray 4, Janiya Leslie 4, Kenly Patton 2, Destiny McCullough.
3-Point goals: Shelbyville (1) Leslie; Columbia (2): Martin 2.
Halftime score: Shelbyville 20, Columbi
