Licking Heights handles pressure late and wins 46-41 over Columbus Walnut Ridge

Photo by John Suchan

The Licking Heights girls basketball team got back in the win column beating the Walnut Ridge Scots 46-41 on Wednesday evening. The Lady Hornets started out aggressively on defense and forced Walnut Ridge into several turnovers. Licking Heights was able to capture a 16-10 lead closing out the first quarter. The Scots fought back in the second quarter. Licking Heights was able to maintain a small lead at 21-18 going into the halftime.

Into the third, both teams struggled to find the basket, but the Lady Hornets were able to get a few to go late in the quarter and go into the fourth up 35-28. They were able to extend the lead to 38-30. However, Walnut Ridge had another run in them and got to within a point at 39-38. But Licking Heights was able to maintain their composure and the lead with the Scots pressuring them with the full-court press

In the closing minutes of the game, the Lady Hornets were able to make some good passes over the Walnut Ridge full-court press and were able to make some key free throws at the end to maintain their lead in this hotly contested battle.

Layla Booth led the team with 12 points. Tori Diggs had 10 points including three 3-pointers. Karsyn Johnson added 9 points. Emily McCord added 6 points, all in the 4th quarter, including knocking down two key free throws with the team clinging to a 43-41 lead with 29 seconds left in the game. Symya McDougal also scored 4 points, Kendyl Hunt added 3 points and Janessa Hughes knocked down 2 points.

The Licking Heights JV girls basketball team played well Wednesday evening over at Walnut Ridge grabbing the win 45-40. The team raced to a quick lead at 6-0. The Walnut Ridge Scots got back into the game, but the Lady Hornets were able to maintain their lead at 14-9 by the end of the first quarter. The two teams went back and forth in the second quarter and the Lady Hornets were able to take a 24-19 lead into halftime.

Both teams played tough in the third quarter, but Walnut Ridge was able to capture a lead at 30-29 by outscoring Licking Heights 11-5 in the quarter. But the Lady Hornets were able to get back into it with a full-court press and converted on some turnovers. They scored 18 points in the fourth quarter and eventually pulled away late.

The win gives Licking Heights a record of 5-2 on the season as they now prepare to play Hamilton Township on Thursday. For the game, Tori Hills scored 23 points on the night which was the most for any one player on the JV team this season. Scoring also for the team included Brooklyn Hall with 8 points, Janessa Hughes, Mariah Waters, and Alaila Thompson all with 4 points. Darianna Barnes knocked down a big 3-pointer in the fourth quarter and Sabrina Bauer got a free throw to drop.