© 2007 by Ron Harrison
LCA Coach Jason Semannds started the following lineup: 6-0 So. Sarah Beth Barnette, 5-9 Jr. Anna Martin, 6-1 Jr. Clara Mitchell, 5-5 Fr. Rachel Cox, and 5-9 Jr. Courtney Clifton. Lexington Catholic Coach Jeff Hans countered with 5-11 Sr. Natalie Novosel, 5-10 Jr. Shaneque McGhee, 6-0 Sr. Lauren Conrad, 5-9 Jr. Maggie Wilson, and 5-9 Sr. Briana Green.
Lexington Catholic rallied from a 50-47 deficit at the end of three quarters to capture a 74-68 decision over Lexington Christian Academy. Lexington Catholic's Natalie Novosel scored 13 of her game-high 31 points in the final quarter. 5-9 Jr. Danielle Corbett nailed two big three pointers in the decisive final quarter. The LCA vs. Lexington Catholic is one of the most intense rivalries in the state. Lexington Catholic captured the state championship in 2006 and LCA captured the title last year. The two teams played four times last year, splitting the four, but LCA defeated Lexington Catholic in the regional finals on their way to the state championship.
Lexington Catholic shot 48.1% from the field including six of 19 from the three point line. The Lady Knights connected on 18 of 35 free throws, pulled down 30 rebounds, and scored 20 points off 20 LCA turnovers. LCA shot 42.1% from the field including nine of 22 from beyond the arc. The Lady Eagles connected on 11 of 14 free throws, grabbed 39 rebounds, and scored 13 points off 12 Lexington Catholic turnovers. LCA was hampered by foul woes as Martin, Barnette, Cox, and Hillary Thornton all finished with four fouls.
Natalie Novosel led the victors with 31 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. Maggie Wilson added 12 points. Danielle Corbett chipped in with 12 points on four three point baskets. Briana Green only took four shots tonight but recorded five points, six rebounds, and five assists. Anna Martin led Lexington Christian Academy with 21 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Clara Mitchell added 19 points and 15 rebounds. Courtney Clifton chipped in with 17 points. Sarah Beth Barnette recorded nine points and eight rebounds.
| Lexington Catholic | 74 | Lexington Christian Academy | 68 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Lexington Christian Academy | 14 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 68 |
| Lexington Catholic | 18 | 15 | 14 | 27 | 74 |
| Lexington Christian Academy | (68) - | Barnette 9, Martin 21, Mitchell 19, Cox 0, Clifton 17, Dorton 2. |
| Lexington Catholic | (74) - | Novosel 31, McGhee 6, Conrad 4, Wilson 12, Green 5, Scott 2, Corbett 12, Donnelly 2. |
A special thanks to Glenn Gentry and Gary Long for providing the computer stats for tonight's game.
Please feel free to send your comments and questions concerning the event, teams, or players to me at prephoops@yahoo.com.
Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other basketball events appear on http://www.kyprephoops.com.