Holcomb girls defeat Portageville to claim first Bootheel Conference championship

HAYTI – The Holcomb girls basketball team gathered its talents, skills and camaraderie to plung a deep sting into the Portageville Lady Bulldogs 41-36 in the finals of the Bootheel Conference Tournament at Hayti High School.

The Hornets' win was the girls basketball program's first Bootheel Conference title.

Portageville head coach Kellye Fowler said before the matchup that the squad getting out of their own heads would prove invaluable against the Hornets.

"One of our biggest weaknesses I think is sometimes we play mental games before we even begin our physical games," Fowler said. "I think that causes us to get in our own way.”

"Our strengths, though, overcome that during any given game." she said before the start of the game. "Our strengths are we work well together as a team. Our athleticism and skill sets are strong. Tonight we plan to put a lot of pressure on the Hornets and do the small things right. Hopefully, our defense turns to offense. Those are our best nights."

All that aside, the Lady Bulldogs came up short in its effort to take home first place against a scrappy Holcomb team.

Holcomb's offense sinks a bucket against a Portageville in the opening seconds of Wednesday night's championship game at Hayti High School. Photo by Steve Hankins, Contributing Writer

The Hornets led the whole way, 13-4 after the first quarter, 23-13 at halftime, 29-21 ending the third quarter and finally 41-36 after Portageville marginally outscored them in the second half.

Holcomb head coach Alexa Stockton said successful free throws and rebounding all were part of the Lady Hornet game plan.

"I thought we played tough, mentally," Stockton said after the game. "There were a few times when things got sketchy.

"I mean, the score was 39-35 with 24 seconds left," she added. "We drew a foul and scored two free-throws to bring the game home. Tonight was a proud moment for us."

Ava Gurley and Kaetlyn Danley each scored 10 points for Holcomb. Maleigh Lemings contributed nine, Libbey Callis (6), EJ Lemings (4) and Chloe Hendrix (2).

Portageville was paced by Aubrey Greenwell with 10 points, followed by Laney Stone (7), Amiyah Saxton (6), Janiya Smith and Gloriaha Farmer (4), Jayla Weddington and Lily Priggel (2), and Taryn Irby (1).

Next, Portageville hosts Scott City Thursday night and travels to Charleston Friday. Holcomb hosts Puxico Thursday night and Bloomfield next Tuesday.