Lady Tigers fall by one in district opener

February 25, 2025

by Story by Tanner Hoskins--Photos by Chris Meadows

(MCKEE, Ky.) – In what may have been the most entertaining game of the season, Clay County fell to Jackson County 54-53.

Late-game heroics by seventh grader Maci White almost propelled the Lady Tigers into the championship, as she led the team with 25 points while also hitting some crucial baskets down the stretch. The game ended with a controversial no-call as well.

Jackson County scored the first three points of the game, followed by a 13-0 Clay County run. The Lady Tigers forced six turnovers during that span and relied heavily on pressure defense while stepping into passing lanes.

Jackson County was disoriented entirely, except for Lady General Abby Gilbert.

Gilbert single-handedly dominated the Lady Tigers, finishing with 38 points and 14 rebounds.

Clay County led most of the game, winning three quarters over the Lady Generals. Foul trouble and missed free throws were a proverbial thorn in Clay County’s side, as Coach Parks was without two starters for four-plus minutes in the 2nd quarter.

The Lady Tigers went into halftime with a 31-25 lead behind a Maci White buzzer-beater three, with all the momentum. Jackson County relied on Gilbert’s stellar play, as she sank a deep three in the third quarter to take the first Lady General lead, 37-36.

From there, Jackson would build a lead that would grow to seven at 50-43, with the Lady Tigers clawing to return to the game.

With three minutes to go, Carly Fultz sank a free throw that would pull Clay County within three points at 50-47, but Jackson would immediately get a Larkin Vaughn bucket to push it out to 52-47. That’s when Maci White got a huge steal and drained a deep three, 52-51 Jackson County.

Now, with 1:23 remaining, everything came down to the wire. Daisy Samples (10pts) sank a midrange jumper to give Clay County a 53-52 lead with :33 remaining, but Jackson County’s Gilbert immediately went coast to coast to score and give Jackson the lead back for the final time.

Although the Lady Tigers’ season may be over, they have much to be proud of.

This team is young and improving tremendously. The future is bright for this group of Lady Tigers, and I’m sure they’re already excited to get to work next year.

Maci White – 25 pts; Daisy Samples – 10 pts; Anna Samples – nine pts; Madison Pendland – five pts; Carly Fultz – three pts; Harper Rice – two pts.