SHELBYVILLE — It’s funny how a pair of free throws could lead a team to a district title.
But when you are the two-time Eighth Region player of the year and you’ve only scored four early points, sometimes all you need is to see the ball go through the basket.
For Lainey Johnson, a pair of charity tosses at the 4:07 mark of the third quarter may have been a key to a hard-fought 36-26 victory over Spencer County in the 30th District girls tournament on Friday night.
Expecting another defensive battle, Anderson County head coach Clay Birdwhistell got just that in the championship game.
“Spencer County is a really good team,” Birdwhistell said as his players cut down the net. “They do a really good job with us.”
That included a very patient offense and a physical defense that operated without fouling.
It would be the top-seeded Lady Bearcats who would see two players foul out, including junior Ella Baum, who got her team off to an early lead with seven straight points to open the second quarter.
Johnson got into early foul trouble with a pair of offensive calls by halftime.
Still, Birdwhistell said the offense had to run through his junior and, after she hit a pair of free throws at the 4:07 mark of the third quarter, it was game on.
“You can see it in their eyes,” Birdwhistell said of a shooter who sees the ball go through the net.
From that point on, Johnson took over.
When Spencer pulled to within 17-15 with 2:29 left in the third quarter, Johnson connected on a contested three-pointer 11 seconds later.
And with 22 seconds left in the period, Johnson drilled another three-pointer to take a 23-19 lead into the final quarter.
At the 6:52 mark, Johnson nailed another trey for a 26-19 lead.
The nail in the coffin came with 2:09 to go as Claire Cooper banked in a three-pointer for a 29-21 lead.
With Spencer County scoring the next four points, Cooper again played a key role. With 1:10 left, the senior found Faith McGregor free under the hoop for a basket and a six-point lead.
Spencer County had to go to the foul game.
Senior Jenna Satterly, who was recently named to the All-Region team, would hit five of six free throws down the stretch to secure the 36-26 championship.
“We just had to stick to our game plan,” Johnson said before her chance to clip a piece of the net. “I knew that I had to step up.”
Despite the physical play and the early struggles, Johnson said the team has confidence in each other and they knew it would lead to the win.
Birdwhistell said that is a compliment to his team to be able to play hard, stay composed and overcome an excellent opponent.
While the heavy favorite to win the district having been ranked in the top 10 statewide all season, the veteran coach said nothing is taken for granted.
“Winning the district title is important,” said Birdwhistell. “We went a long stretch not winning one.”
Johnson led the scoring with 15 points. Satterly finished with nine.
Baum scored seven and Cooper added three points. McGregor had two.
REGIONAL MATCHUPS
Anderson County will host the Eighth Region tournament for the girls.
On Monday night, North Oldham will play Owen County at 6:30 p.m. And Spencer County will play the second-highest RPI team from Simon Kenton at 8 p.m.
On Tuesday night, the host Anderson County will play Trimble County at 6:30 p.m. The two teams did not play in the regular season.
The nightcap on Tuesday will see Grant County play South Oldham at 8 p.m.
On Friday, the two Monday night winners will play at 6:30 p.m. with the two Tuesday night victors following.
In the regular season, the Lady Bearcats defeated Grant County 65-28 on Feb. 17.
The championship game and a berth to the Mingua Beef Jerky Sweet 16 on March 13 will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
Johnson was named as the tournament MVP. She was joined on the All-Tournament team by senior Jenna Satterly, senior Faith Hyatt, junior Ella
Baum and sophomore Madison Glass.