Sanaa Jackson Leads Paris Over Bourbon County, As Both Teams Played Without A Key Starter
HEADING TO THE BASKET – Ladyhound junior guard Chez Tye made her way around the defensive pressure of Bourbon’s junior Jaycee Goodwin during her team’s 51-43 victory over their rival.
PLAYING KEEP AWAY – While looking in one direction, Paris’ freshman Chloe Kemper did her best to make sure she kept the ball away from Bourbon’s sophomore Jaydyn “Shorty” Goodwin, who finished her night with a game-high 5 steals.
IVAN K. RICE | doctorofsports@aol.com
PARIS – When the Bourbon County Lady Colonels knocked off the Paris Ladyhounds for the 10th straight time on their home floor back in December,
they were led by junior guard Lyndsay Johnson, who finished that night with a team-high 17 points, as well as 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Paris on the other hand stayed close throughout that evening because of the play of junior guard Zoe Strings that saw her score a game-high 21 points, while adding 11 rebounds, 6 steals, 5 assists and 6 blocks to her stat line.
Last Saturday evening when the two rivals went to battle inside Earl E. Redwine gym for the rematch, neither Johnson nor Strings were on the floor for their respective team. Johnson, during practice, suffered a hand injury just two days leading up to the Paris game, while Strings has missed the Ladyhounds last ten games because of an ankle injury.
Now, with the two stars of the first meeting chilling on the bench cheering on their team, it was time for someone else to step up in this cross-town battle and for Paris, it would be freshman guard Sanaa Jackson.
Jackson, who was held scoreless in the first meeting, finished with a game-high 17 points and 7 rebounds to lead Coach Aaron Speaks’ Ladyhounds to the 51-43 district win over Coach Bill Watson’s Lady Colonels.
With the victory by Paris (22-4, 3-3) it moved them in a tie for second in the district standings with Bourbon (15-11, 3-3) with a coin toss to decide which team will be the two seed in two weeks or the three seed. Regardless, although Paris won for the third straight year on their home court over their rival, the one that will count the most will be played at George Rogers Clark the last week of February in the upcoming 40th District Tournament. Last year, Bourbon eliminated Paris from post season play and two years ago, Paris ended Bourbon’s season.
CHASING JACKSON – After receiving an outlet pass from teammate Jamie Cowan (trailing on the play), Ladyhound freshman guard Sanaa Jackson turned on the jets to get past Bourbon’s defenders McLain Murphy and Hannah Hamelback. Jackson, who failed to score the first time around against Bourbon back in December, led all scorers on this night with 17. Hamelback led all rebounders with 13.
Highlights for the Ladyhounds on the evening saw Jamie Cowan with 7 points and 15 rebounds. Asja-li Garrard finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Chez Tye had 8 points, while Chloe Kemper and Jazmin Jackson scored 4 points each. Nia Kenney rounded out their scoring with 2 points and 4 rebounds.
Hannah Hamelback paced Bourbon with 11 points and 13 rebounds. McLain Murphy finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Makenzie Kincade had 7, while Jaydyn “Shorty” Goodwin totaled 6 points, 4 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists. Jhaven Meade had 4 points, 8 rebounds and blocked 6 shots. Jaycee Goodwin rounded out their scoring with 4 points.
With the win, Paris increased their lead in the overall series to 78-34.
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Editor’s note: You can read the rest of this story inside Thursday’s (February 13th) print issue of the Bourbon County Citizen that you can find on a newsstand and in stores … as well as the Citizen office located at 123 West 8th Street.
GOODWIN’S ON A MISSION – Bourbon’s Jaycee Goodwin found her way into the paint despite being pressured by Paris’ sophomore Nia Kenney during the Lady Colonels’ 51-43 loss to their rival Saturday at Paris. Looking on for Bourbon is McLain Murphy and for Paris, Chez Tye and Jazmin Jackson.
ASJA-LI ON THE MOVE – Moments after grabbing the rebound, Ladyhound sophomore Asja-li Garrard made her way past Bourbon’s Makenzie Kincade, who was closing in for the defensive stop. Garrard finished her night with 9 points and 5 rebounds, while Kincaid totaled 7 points.
