The Taylor County Lady Cards fell to Calloway County in the Girls 2A Championship game after a hard-fought battle.
Taylor County finished the night shooting an efficient 43.6 percent from the field and knocked down nine three-pointers, but Calloway County’s balance and depth proved to be the difference in the title matchup. The Lady Cards totaled 46 points in the contest and stayed competitive throughout but were unable to overcome Calloway County’s steady play on both ends of the floor.
Freshman Kennedy Deener led Taylor County with a game-high 20 points, showcasing poise beyond her years on the championship stage. Deener connected on eight field goals, including three from beyond the arc, and added a free throw to pace the Lady Cards’ offense.
Junior Kayley Benningfield delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 15 points on an ultra-efficient 6-of-8 shooting from the field. Benningfield was also deadly from long range, knocking down three three-pointers, and helped anchor the Lady Cards with four rebounds.
Junior Kallie Vaughn added six points, hitting two three-pointers, while sophomore Greta Bradstreet chipped in three points from deep. Junior Avery Raikes contributed two points at the free-throw line and led the team with five rebounds, helping Taylor County battle on the boards.
The Lady Cards finished the game shooting 42.9 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the free-throw line, but were limited to just four free-throw attempts and were outpaced by Calloway County’s overall balance.
While the 2A championship result didn’t go their way, the Lady Cards’ season is far from over. With district and region tournament play still ahead, Taylor County remains focused on the bigger goal of earning another trip to Rupp Arena. The experience gained on the championship stage will only strengthen the team for what’s to come.