HORNET’S NEST: Metcalfe County gets statement win over Trojanettes

Published 11:53 am Wednesday, February 12, 2025

By Micheal Compton

GLASGOW — Another week and another challenger for the Region 4 crown has emerged.

One week after Barren County battled region favorite Franklin-Simpson to a double-overtime thriller, it was the Metcalfe County girls’ basketball team making its case to be a contender — outlasting the Trojanettes 47-38 on Tuesday at Barren County High School.

Metcalfe County (21-5) was able to take control in the second half and survive a frantic final few minutes to earn its first win over Barren County since Feb. 18, 2014.

Email newsletter signup

While Metcalfe County coach Heidi Coleman said her team is focused on preparing for the upcoming district tournament, Tuesday was a big win that shows what her team is capable of if they get back to the region tournament at E.A. Diddle Arena.

“I said to the kids before the game that Barren County is certainly right there with Franklin-Simpson and a lot of people have said we are up there with them,” Coleman said. “We have a problem sometimes of playing down. Our floor is very low, even though our ceiling can be very high. There are times I get nervous about games that aren’t big games to my kids. I knew that this game we were 100% going to be ready and it’s always fun to see yourself against somebody that is supposed to be better than you, because then you know what to clean up and you know where you are and know where you stand.”

Barren County (21-5) was in control for almost all of the first half, taking advantage of a slower pace and lengthy possessions on both ends of the floor. Metcalfe County led once in the first quarter at 4-2, but the Trojanettes were able to push in front 8-6 by the end of the quarter.

The Barren County advantage grew to 17-9 after a layup from Katie Gearlds early in the second, before the Lady Hornets scored eight straight to pull even. Barren County regained the momentum, scoring six out of the final eight points in the half — including a layup by Kaitlyn Elmore as time expired that gave the Trojanettes a 23-19 halftime lead.

“We typically (want to play faster) and they always can get lower-scoring games,” Coleman said. “They contain phenomenally well. They are very solid on the defensive end. That is not something that is a strength of ours. We definitely want to go. I was proud of our maturity to be able to handle that and be more patient on both ends of the floor.”

Metcalfe County gained control early in the second half with a 9-2 spurt to surge in front 28-25. After going without a 3-pointer for most of the night, Bree Jolly’s 3 late in the third quarter pushed the lead to 33-29.

Metcalfe opened the fourth with 3s from Kassady London and Jolly, extending the margin to 39-31 with 4:16 remaining.

Barren County turned up the defensive pressure to try to spark a rally, but was unable to get closer than five points the rest of the way.

“I feel like our energy and intensity wasn’t there from the start,” Barren County coach Piper Lindsey said. “That’s one thing I feel like we thrive on. That’s one thing we can control. Our energy wasn’t there and that kind of affected both sides of the game for us.”

Jozie Allen led Metcalfe County with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

“We knew they were one of the top teams in the region,” Allen said. “We knew if we could beat them that we could compete with Franklin-Simpson and possibly win the region.”

Coleman praised Allen, who is battling through a knee injury that will require surgery at the end of the season. The team’s leading scorer and rebounder went down in the final minute and was unable to finish, but is expected to be able to play going forward.

“She’s a warrior,” Coleman said. “Jozie is one of those kids that when she does have her surgery there is no doubt in my mind that she will battle and come back with a full recovery. What a selfless kid though, to be able to set aside that surgery in order to try and help the team. She’s by far and away my best rebounder and she’s still going to be one of my leading scorers — even in that brace, even with that injury. I’m just really proud of her fight and determination.”

London added 12 points for Metcalfe County, while Jolly finished with 10 points.

Shelby Byrd led Barren County with 12 points.

Barren County plays at Clinton County at 6 p.m. on Friday. Metcalfe County plays at Hart County at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

MCHS 6 13 14 14 — 47

BCHS 8 15 6 9 — 38

MC — Allen 15, London 12, Jolly 10, Glass 8, Blythe 2.

BC — Byrd 12, Slagle 9, Gearlds 8, Elmore 5, Atkinson 4.

BOYS

Barren County 81, Metcalfe County 76

Barren County used a balanced attack, with five players in double figures, to offset a huge night from Metcalfe County’s Cade Button.

“We are at our best when we are playing inside out,” Barren County coach Warren Cunningham said. “We made 3s early and as the game went along we got it inside a bit more and drove it some. It was good to have balance in scoring. That’s something we haven’t had a lot of this year, but it was good to have that.”

Barren County (17-10) only trailed for 10 seconds, but was unable to put the game away until the final minute. The Trojans came out hot from long range — starting 6-for-7 to build a 37-23 advantage midway through the second quarter.

Metcalfe County (9-16) trimmed the deficit to 38-31 by halftime, and got within three points after a jumper from Button made the score 49-46 with 3:38 remaining in the third. Barren County regained control with a 12-3 run to close the quarter, pushing the margin back to double figures.

The Hornets made one final push, getting as close as four points late, but Barren County was able to secure the win by going 13-for-16 from the free-throw line in the final two minutes.

“Thank goodness we made free throws, but I felt like the last two or three minutes we were about a stop or two away from finishing it off,” Cunningham said. “It was in doubt until the last 20 seconds, I guess.”

Brey Bewley had 19 points to pace the Barren County offense. Joshua Decker finished with 17 points, Tate Spillman had 12 points and Waylon Clemmons and Kade Hardy added 11 points each.

Button finished with 40 points for Metcalfe County, with Maddux Garrett and Hudson Jessie adding 12 points each.

Metcalfe County plays at Hart County at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Barren County plays at Clinton County at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

MCHS 17 14 18 27 — 76

BCHS 25 13 23 20 — 81

MC — Button 40, Jessie 12, Garrett 12, Tucker 6, Page 4, Kirkland-Lundy 2.

BC — Bewley 19, Decker 17, Spillman 12, Clemmons 11, Hardy 11, Reece 6, Nunn 5.

I am a sports reporter and movie critic for the Bowling Green Daily News.

email author More by Micheal

More Sports

Hilltoppers look to contend for CUSA title this season

Dragons claim road win against Adair County

SLIDE SHOW: Trojanettes fall to Metcalfe County, Trojans earn win

Lady Toppers fall 4-3 to Austin Peay

Print Article