Franklin County edges Taylor County for its first girls basketball Kentucky 2A Championship
On its first trip to the Kentucky 2A Championships girls basketball tournament, Franklin County held off a late charge by Taylor County for a 46-44 win to claim the midsize school title at Owensboro Sportscenter on Sunday.
The Flyers (15-3), ranked No. 7 in the latest Kentucky High School Girls Basketball Media Poll, trailed 24-21 at halftime but stifled Taylor County’s offense in the third period to seize control of the game.
“Defensively, I don’t think they had a field goal in the third quarter,” Franklin County coach Joey Thacker said. He was correct. Taylor County made four free throws that period compared to Franklin County’s 11 points. “We didn’t block out very well in the first half, but in the third quarter we forced them into some bad shots and did a good job of limiting them to one shot.”
Tournament MVP Madison Jackson’s layup midway through the fourth quarter capped an 11-2 run and put the Flyers up 43-31. Jackson finished with a team-high 13 points to go with four rebounds and two assists. Makiyia Wheeler added 10 points.
But Taylor County (14-5) did not quit.
Avery Raikes’ 3-pointer with 3:30 to play ended the Cardinals’ field goal drought and Taylor clawed back within one possession in the final minute as the Flyers struggled to knock down free throws and hold onto the ball down the stretch. The game ended on a missed desperation 3-pointer as time expired. Eighth grader Kennedy Deener led Taylor County with 22 points. Raikes finished with 11.
“They go down and hit a 3 and then they go down and hit another 3 and it went from 12 to six in two possessions,” Thacker said. “We went under some ball screens that allowed them to set their feet in the fourth quarter, and our free-throw shooting is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get.”
Franklin County topped No. 4 Franklin-Simpson 45-37 in Saturday’s semifinals and ousted Corbin 61-57 on Friday. Each team in Owensboro arrived via an earlier sectional tournament format.
This is the first season the Flyers, the defending 11th Region champions, have joined the now 62-school Kentucky 2A Championships competition. Established for midsize schools in 2018, it was inspired by long-running All “A” Classic for small schools and has expanded from a basketball-only event its first two years to 11 sports this season. Thacker praised the tournament.
“You get to play in that arena on a college floor for three consecutive days,” Thacker said. “We played three good basketball teams down here and found out some stuff we need to work on, for sure.”
The Flyers return to 11th Region play Tuesday at 41st District-rival Great Crossing. Some notable games ahead include No. 3 Cooper at Mercy’s showcase event in Louisville on Saturday and No. 6 North Laurel at home on Feb. 10.
Calloway County wins a shootout
Calloway County’s Jonah Butler and Eli Finley exploded for 36 and 34 points, respectively, in the Lakers’ 80-75 win against Harlan County in the boys’ Kentucky 2A Championship on Sunday in Owensboro.
Calloway County trailed 28-21 at halftime but won the third quarter 22-12 to charge in front. Butler made three of four 3-point attempts and Finley notched a game-high four assists while Luke Armstrong’s 10 rebounds helped the Lakers outrebound the Bears 32-29.
Maddox Huff led Harlan County with 39 points, which included six 3-pointers and going 13-for-13 from the free-throw line. Jaycee Carter and Trenton Cole each added 10 points.
It was Calloway County’s first Kentucky 2A boys basketball win. The Lakers won the inaugural softball tournament in 2022.
