Girls basketball: Henderson County rides defense to district win over Union County

HENDERSON, Ky. -- Henderson County's defense continues to do a number on its opponents.

The Lady Colonels (12-4) beat Union County 59-35 Friday for their fifth straight win. None of Henderson County's last five opponents have scored more than 40 points.

Opponents are averaging 37.4 points a game against the Lady Colonels, who are tied for 12th in the state in team defense.

Union County (11-10) managed just four points -- and one field goal -- in the first quarter as Henderson County jumped out to a 22-4 lead in the rematch of last year's Second Region championship game.

More: Girls basketball: These are the Second Region's top teams & players with a month to go

Jarie Thomas led the Lady Colonel offense with 17 points. The junior forward scored 10 of those in the first quarter. Graci Risley, who hit a team-high three 3-pointers, scored 12 points and Kaytlan Kemp added 10.

Savannah Lacer and Thomas led Henderson County's work on the boards with eight rebounds apiece, while Careese Toombs had seven. The Lady Colonels outrebounded the Bravettes 33-19.

Mati Hagan led Union County with 18 points, while Amelia Mackey added eight.

Henderson County is now 2-0 in Sixth District play, while Union County is 0-2. Webster County is 1-1. The three teams will play again over the next two weeks to determine the top seed for the Sixth District Tournament.

Henderson County plays Owensboro Saturday at 1:30 p.m., while Union County's next game is Feb. 4 at Webster County.

Henderson Co. 59, Union Co. 35

Union Co. (11-10)

Madison Morris 0 3-4 3; Mati Hagan 6 4-5 18; Amelia Mackey 3 1-1 8; Reese Hagan 0 1-2 1; Ella Gough 0 1-2 1; Lillian Goodloe 0 0-0 0; Kamille Theus 0 0-0 0; Paige Steward 0 0-0 0; Annie Beaven 0 0-0 0; Dana Curry 0 0-0 0; Maggy Hibbs 1 2-2 4; Cadence Coker 0 0-0 0; Paisley Eckman 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 12-16 35. 3-point goals: 3 (M. Hagan 2, Mackey 1). Rebounds: 19 (Morris 5). Turnovers: 24. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

Henderson Co. (12-4)

Jarie Thomas 7 2-3 17; Savannah Lacer 2 0-0 5; Graci Risley 4 1-2 12; Kaytlan Kemp 5 0-0 10; Careese Toombs 1 0-0 2; Mallorie Veal 2 1-2 6; Shalyn Sprinkles 0 0-0 0; Allyson Rideout 0 0-0 0; Brooklyn Gibson 2 3-4 7; Anna Kemp 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 7-11 59. 3-point goals: 6 (Risley 3, Veal 1, Thomas 1, Lacer 1). Rebounds: 33 (Thomas 8, Lacer 8). Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

Union Co. 4 13 5 13 -- 35

Henderson Co. 22 14 9 14 -- 59

This article originally appeared on Henderson Gleaner: Girls basketball: Henderson Co. vs. Union Co.