North Oldham 63 Anderson County 52 (8th Region Quarterfinals)

[ColonelMike]

Shocker in Warsaw.

The three-time defending 8th Region champions, the Anderson County Lady Bearcats - who entered the tournament as the 30th District champions and sporting the region's best record at 26-6 - were thoroughly handled by the runner-ups from the 29th District, the North Oldham Lady Mustangs.

The loss ensured that, for the first time since 2018, a district other than the 30th will win the 8th Region championship.    Anderson had won the last three titles (2022, 2021, 2020) and Collins won in 2019.    With Spencer County, the 30th runner-up, falling to South Oldham by 2 last night, the 30th district representatives are all out of the tourney.

North Oldham earned a lot of "firsts" tonight - it was North's first-ever victory, in six tries, over Anderson County, and it was also North Oldham's first-ever victory in the 8th Region tournament.

North got that "first victory" over the team that came into the tournament as the heavy favorites to win a fourth consecutive title, something that hasn't been done since Oldham County won four straight region 8 titles from 1983-86, with the fourth title in 86 being followed by a Sweet 16 title.

Stunningly, this one wasn't really close.

With the score 5-5 in the first, North surged ahead to take control of the game with an 11-0 run that was finally broken just before the end of the quarter on a straightaway three pointer by 8th Region POY Lainey Johnson....but North pushed the ball downcourt, and Katelyn Vize found Saylor Hankins all alone under the basket for a buzzer-beating layup to give North a 10 point lead after one quarter at 18-8.

All six North players who had played had scored, and the Lady Mustangs had shot a sizzling 90% from the floor (9 of 10) against one of the region's premier defenses.

By the half, North had extended the lead to 14 at 31-17; it would balloon to as much as 20 points before Anderson pulled to within 18 at the end of three at 44-26.

Anderson doubled their point total in the fourth quarter, scoring 26 points and outscoring North by 7, but it was far too little and far too late.   The Lady Cats actually got the lead under 10 points, but Anderson was forced to foul, and North hit their free throws, connecting on 11 of 15 (73%) in the final frame to hold serve and win, 63-52.   

Gracie Sipes led North with 18; Liz Boyd and Katie Smith both had 14, and Katelyn Vize had 12, to lead NOHS.    The Lady Mustangs finished by shooting 55.6%, overall and 4 of 7 (57.1%) beyond the arc.

Jenna Satterly led Anderson with 19, despite being saddled with four fouls.   Lainey Johnson had 15, but made just 6 of 26 shots.

The Lady Bearcats shot just 29% from the floor, including 7 of 28 beyond the arc.  

North (18-14) faces Grant County (19-10) in the second semi-final in Gallatin County on Friday.