[Stardust]

MOREHEAD — When Ashland's two senior starters went to the bench in the first quarter with foul trouble, no panic signals went up in Johnson Arena.

The team known for its depth pulled together and defeated defending champion Boyd County 55-44 on Saturday night for the program's first 16th Region championship in 15 years.

Junior guard Kaylyn Gambill hit big shot after big shot, freshman point guard Alexis Robinson won Most Valuable Player honors and the Kittens pulled away in the fourth quarter to complete a perfect run through the region.

Coach Bill Bradley, the winning coach after two runner-up finishes in the past four years, stood on a ladder and clipped the final strands of the net as players and Ashland fans cheered from below.

“It's very sweet,” Bradley said of his first regional title after guiding the Kittens to more than 200 wins in 11 seasons. “We lost by two (54-52) four years ago. I thought last year was even more disappointing because we beat Boyd County four times. I'm happy for all the girls, especially Julia (Heaberlin) and Mykal (Farris).”

The two seniors were limited to a combined 32 minutes of playing time due to foul problems and totaled seven points. Heaberlin, the team's top rebounder, fouled out down the stretch.

“As soon as we both picked up two fouls and left the game, we were hoping and praying everybody else would build us back up,” Farris said. “We had confidence in them.”

Boyd County, trying to derail the Kittens in the title game for the second year in a row, strung together three baskets to take its last lead at 35-33 with 2:48 left in the third quarter.

Gambill, however, responded with back-to-back 3-pointers on her way to a game-high 23 points.

“I've been in this situation before,” Gambill said. “We knew Boyd County was going to come out harder than ever in the regional.”

Earlier in the day, Gambill went to Ashland's gym with some of her teammates for some extra shooting.

Then she lit it up at Johnson Arena by nailing 5-of-8 shots from beyond the arc, along with making some runners in traffic.

“Our team knew Kaylyn was on and kept dishing the ball to her,” Farris said. “She played an awesome game. We really wanted to pay Boyd County back for what they did to us last year.”

Gambill sealed Ashland's trip to Diddle Area by hitting a 3-pointer from the corner with 43 seconds remaining to make it 51-42.

“She's a gamer,” Bradley said. “Kaylyn scored 21 against Raceland to get us going in the first round of the region. She's been a clutch person and clutch player.”

Robinson came up big again with 15 points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals for the Kittens, who moved to 29-6 on the season.

Their next game will be Thursday night at the Girls Sweet Sixteen in Bowling Green against the 15th Region winner, which will be determined Monday.

Boyd County coach Pete Fraley offered congratulations to Bradley and his players.

“They are a better team than us,” Fraley said. “They were tonight and they have been all year long. Gambill played a tremendous game, and Alexis too. I'm happy for Bill. He's a good friend of mine and I fully expect them to represent the region well at the State Tournament.”

Boyd County (22-11) played Ashland tougher Saturday than in the 64th District final, when the Kittens cruised to a 29-point victory.

This time, the Lady Lions had their offensive struggles with only five points in the second quarter and six in the fourth.

Allie Slone came off the bench to help lead the Kittens' defensive effort. She also had two baskets and was among the team's All-Tournament selections. Bradley called her the top defensive player of the tournament.

“Defense is my main game,” Slone said. “We knew when they (Heaberlin and Farris) got in foul trouble, we had to pick it up. We did what we needed to do.”

Junior Madison Jones came in to lead the Kittens in rebounding with six. In addition, she made 4-of-5 free throws.

“It was nerve-racking,” Jones said. “That's the most rebounds I've ever had. It's an unbelievable feeling to be going to the State Tournament.”

Said Bradley: “Our depth has been our strength all year. That's what won it tonight, no question.”

Taylor Wheeler led Boyd County with 14 points and nine rebounds. Emily Stewart and Logan Fraley each scored 11 for the Lady Lions, who led by four at the end of the first quarter.

Ashland opened the second quarter with a 9-0 run as Robinson supplied five points on a driving basket and 3-pointer.

“Alexis has ice water in her veins,” Bradley said. “She really controlled, I thought, the whole tournament.”

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