02-20-2012, 10:37 AM
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/fe...ng-season/
HENDERSON, Ky. â After splitting their two regular-season games, Union County and Webster County play Monday for more than just the upper hand in the season series.
It's the end of the season for the loser, while the winner gets a chance to play Henderson County for the district title and will extend its season at least one more week.
"If you can't play hard in the district tournament when can you," Webster County coach Christina Whitsell said.
Union County (11-15) won the last meeting between the teams 56-50 on Feb. 3 in Morganfield behind 28 points from freshman Mikayla Thompson.
"We took care of the basketball and our defense was good," first-year Union County coach Kevin Furtado said. "We made big plays when we needed them."
With five straight wins, the Lady Trojans (16-11) haven't lost since. "The loss to Union County really woke us up. I think our players realized you can't get outworked every play and still win the game," Whitsell said.
Webster County held serve on their home court, beating the Bravettes 62-55 in Dixon on Jan. 6.
"I think Webster is going to come with more intensity this time (than the last game)," Furtado said. "They're a good team. It's going to be a battle. We'll have to give it our best effort."
The teams play on a neutral site Monday at 7 p.m. at Henderson County's Colonel Gym, but that won't be a neutral site in Wednesday's final.
The Lady Colonels (23-3) have won 12 straight games at home including all nine this year.
Henderson County, which is seeking its fifth straight district championship, had comfortable regular-season wins against both of its district opponents beating Webster 59-43 and 56-43 and Union 69-45 and 82-40.
For Henderson County, the regular season means little without postseason success.
"The season we've had so far with no seniors and the record we had last year (14-12) is a big accomplishment, but that doesn't matter now. Our team and our program expects to get deep into the postseason every year," Lady Colonel coach Jeff Haile said.
With a bye into the title game as the district's top seed, the Lady Colonels have already secured their 16th straight appearance in the regional tournament, which will begin Feb. 27 at Christian County.
Union County will be looking for its second straight trip to the regional after falling to eventual champion Crittenden County in the semifinals last year.
HENDERSON, Ky. â After splitting their two regular-season games, Union County and Webster County play Monday for more than just the upper hand in the season series.
It's the end of the season for the loser, while the winner gets a chance to play Henderson County for the district title and will extend its season at least one more week.
"If you can't play hard in the district tournament when can you," Webster County coach Christina Whitsell said.
Union County (11-15) won the last meeting between the teams 56-50 on Feb. 3 in Morganfield behind 28 points from freshman Mikayla Thompson.
"We took care of the basketball and our defense was good," first-year Union County coach Kevin Furtado said. "We made big plays when we needed them."
With five straight wins, the Lady Trojans (16-11) haven't lost since. "The loss to Union County really woke us up. I think our players realized you can't get outworked every play and still win the game," Whitsell said.
Webster County held serve on their home court, beating the Bravettes 62-55 in Dixon on Jan. 6.
"I think Webster is going to come with more intensity this time (than the last game)," Furtado said. "They're a good team. It's going to be a battle. We'll have to give it our best effort."
The teams play on a neutral site Monday at 7 p.m. at Henderson County's Colonel Gym, but that won't be a neutral site in Wednesday's final.
The Lady Colonels (23-3) have won 12 straight games at home including all nine this year.
Henderson County, which is seeking its fifth straight district championship, had comfortable regular-season wins against both of its district opponents beating Webster 59-43 and 56-43 and Union 69-45 and 82-40.
For Henderson County, the regular season means little without postseason success.
"The season we've had so far with no seniors and the record we had last year (14-12) is a big accomplishment, but that doesn't matter now. Our team and our program expects to get deep into the postseason every year," Lady Colonel coach Jeff Haile said.
With a bye into the title game as the district's top seed, the Lady Colonels have already secured their 16th straight appearance in the regional tournament, which will begin Feb. 27 at Christian County.
Union County will be looking for its second straight trip to the regional after falling to eventual champion Crittenden County in the semifinals last year.