By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
The Queens of the Bluegrass almost lost their crown Monday night. East Carter faced Morgan County in the first round of the District Tournament and managed to pull a 43-39 victory in one of the biggest nail-biters of the season.
“The first game of district is always nerve racking game,” East Coach Hagar Easterling said. “It all ends suddenly if you get beat in the first game. It doesn’t get any easier after 30 years of coaching.”
Morgan County won five of their last eight games, and they were poised to take down East at all cost. The Lady Cougars jumped out to an early 14-9 lead in the first quarter. East cut the lead to one at the half and jumped up to a one-point lead at the end of the third.
The Lady Raiders put up four points in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, but with two minutes left in the game the game was tied at 35-35. Lakota Burge fouled out and Kristin Easterling took control of the game. The senior play-maker nailed three from the charity stripe and a three-pointer from the right wing to push East into the lead.
“We played a little tense and tight,” Easterling said. “When you want to win too much, you can get in your own way. Hopefully we got that out of the way. Morgan played the best I have seen them play all year. I am proud of our kids for battling through.”
Jessica Marshall led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 10 points. Burge put up nine while Easterling, Ashley Sargent, and Courtney Sparks sank six each. Taylor Wilson put up three, Emily Slone had two and Jordan Parsons nailed one from the charity stripe. Overall, the Lady Raiders went 8-for-15 at the line.
East gals will play in the District Championship Thursday night at Morgan County. The game tips off at 7 p.m.
“I think there is always pressure off because we are going to the Region,” Easterling said. “It’s important to go in as a winner. Everyone wants to win the championship so there won’t be any less intensity on the teams that play Thursday night.”
The Lady Raiders will face the winner of Tuesday’s match up between West Carter and Elliott County.
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