#1 Anderson County vs. Walton-Verona (8th Region semi-finals) Predictions/Updates

[ColonelMike]

Who:   #1 Anderson Co (24-2) vs. Walton-Verona (18-8)

What:  8th Region semi-finals

Where:  North Oldham HS, Goshen, KY

When:  Monday, 3/29/21

Broadcast: Live video coverage begins at 7:45 pm ET on www.pegasussportsky.com

The Anderson County Lady Bearcats, ranked #1 in some polls, try to defend their 8th Region crown as they face the Walton-Verona Lady Bearcats.

Anderson beat W-V, 70-43, on 1/25/21 at Walton, with four players scoring in double figures, led by Tiffani Riley's 19.

Anderson County has made it to 16 consecutive region tournaments, going 25-11 in that span, with four titles (2010, 2013, 2014, and 2020) and five runner-up finishes.   Anderson is 11-0 against Region 8 competition this year, and their only two defeats came at the hands of the only two teams ranked ahead of Anderson in the RPI rankings, Boyd County by 3 and Ryle by 4 points.   Anderson County won the first region title back in 1975 and has six titles overall to their credit.   Anderson is the highest-scoring team among the "final four", averaging 66.3 ppg.   In addition, their defense has been the stingiest of the final four teams, allowing just 39.6 ppg.  Anderson shoots 47.2% from the floor.

Walton-Verona has won two 8th Region titles, in 2011 and 2012.   Another region frequent flyer, the Lady Bearcats have advanced to the region tourney 13 of the last 15 years.  W-V is a common sight in the semi-finals, having made it to 6 of the last 7 semi-finals.   Walton-Verona is a dealy team at the line, where the Lady Bearcats have hit 73.4%.   Walton-Verona comes in as winners in 9 of their last 11 games.

[ColonelMike]

Two great coaches on the sidelines in this one....

Anderson County's Clay Birdwhistell is 175-51 over seven seasons and his teams have won 6 consecutive district 30 titles, and are the defending 8th Region champs.

Mark Clinkenbeard is 214-104 over ten seasons at Walton-Verona, with 4 district titles and one region 8 title (2012).

[ColonelMike]

end of one

Anderson 9

Walton-Verona 6

[ColonelMike]

HALF

Anderson County 21

Walton-Verona 13

Walton keeping the pace to their liking, but W-V unable to capitalize.

[ColonelMike]

At the half, W-V shooting just 28% on 5 of 18 shooting.  Maggie Buerger has 5 points.

Anderson led by Amiya Jenkins with 8 points.

[ColonelMike]

Anderson on a 7-0 run to seize a 28-16 lead with 29.9 seconds to play.

Jenkins hits 2 FTs

Anderson now up 30-16

[ColonelMike]

end of three

Anderson County 30

Walton-Verona 16

Anderson ends the quarter on a 9-0 run to turn a 5 point lead into a 14 point bulge.

[ColonelMike]

1:26 to play 

Anderson 32

Walton 20

AC defense has been stifling tonight

[ColonelMike]

FINAL

Anderson County 40

Walton-Verona 22

W-V tried to slow the pace of the game down, and trailed just 21-16 midway through the third period, but a 9-0 Anderson run to end the third gave Anderson a 14 point lead and essentially sealed the outcome.

[ColonelMike]

Walton just 8 of 36 from the floor (22%) and 1 of 14 beyond the arc (7.1%).

W-V hit 83% at the line, but shot just 6 attempts (5 of 6)

Anderson 13 of 16 at the line.

Freshman Jenna Satterly came off the bench to score 8 of Anderson's points.

Anderson County finished with just 4 turnovers.