Lady Raiders fall to Wayne County

By Steve LeMaster
stevelemastersports@yahoo.com

MONTICELLO – The McCreary Central Lady Raiders’ 2017-18 season ended in the opening round of the 48th District Girls’ Basketball Tournament. Tournament host Wayne County held on to defeat McCreary Central 51-48 in the opening round of the 48th District Girls’ Basketball Tournament on Monday night.
With the loss, McCreary Central ended its season 9-22.
Wayne County improved to 9-19 and advances to 48th District championship game with the win.
Determined Wayne County won despite shooting only 36.2 percent (17-of-47) from the field. The Lady Cardinals were 5-of-15 (33.3 percent) from 3-point range.
Wayne County shot 63.2 percent (12-of-19) from the free throw line.
Macey Blevins scored 21 points to lead Wayne County to the hard-fought win. Accompanying Blevins in double figures in the Wayne County scoring column and recording a double-double, Mallory Campbell contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Cardinals.
Barely missing double figures in the scoring department, Haleigh Criswell added nine points for Wayne County in the victory.
Offensively for McCreary Central, Allyson Anderson, Elizabeth Anderson and Lauryn Phillips continued to lead the way.
The Lady Raiders exited the 2017-18 season on a six-game losing skid.
McCreary Central lost to Wayne County after outlasting the Lady Cardinals 45-43 in a 48th District girls’ basketball game in Stearns on February 1.
Wayne County will face Southwestern in the 48th District championship game at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Both Wayne County and Southwestern have qualified for the 12th Region Girls’ Basketball Tournament.