GIRLS’ HOOPS: Panthers conclude Bulldogs’ season in sectional semis 59-47

By KEVIN HARRIS

kevinharris1972@gmail.com

FLOYDS KNOBS – For the second year in a row, New Albany’s season came to a disappointing end in the sectional semifinals.

Despite a double-double from senior forward Chyna Anthony, the Bulldogs got upset by Jennings County in the first semifinal of the Class 4A Floyd Central Sectional on Friday night at Highlander Gymnasium 59-47.

Anthony, who has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball next season at Northern Kentucky University, recorded game-highs in points (22) and rebounds (14). She was the only Bulldog to score in double figures.

New Albany guard Earlean Davis had seven points, while teammate Julyen Condra scored six. Bulldog point guard Marissa Jones distributed four assists.

New Albany (15-7) got off to a bad start. In the first quarter, the Dogs missed eight of their 10 field-goal attempts and turned the ball over six times to trail 14-5.

Jennings County (11-14) outscored New Albany 18-16 in the second quarter to lead 32-21 at halftime. In the opening half, the Panthers made 52 percent of their field goals. As for the Bulldogs, they shot 32 percent and committed 10 turnovers.

New Albany got within eight points at 53-45 with 1:56 left in the contest, but it did not get any closer. The Bulldogs failed to grab the lead during the game. For the contest, they shot 28 percent from the floor and got outrebounded by Jennings 42-31.

Senior guard Sidney Gerkin led the Panthers with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Teammates Macy Roth and Kylee Matern scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Bulldogs said goodbye to six seniors, who are Anthony, Davis, Jones, Danielle Daily, Sadie Meyer and Alexis Smigel.

Jennings County will face Class 4A No. 9 Bedford North Lawrence (19-4) in Saturday’s championship game, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. The Stars, who have captured five consecutive sectional titles, defeated Hoosier Hills Conference champion Jeffersonville (16-8) in Friday’s second semifinal 44-34.

CLASS 4A FLOYD CENTRAL SECTIONAL

JENNINGS COUNTY 59, NEW ALBANY 47

New Albany                   5 16 11 15-47

Jennings County         14 18 12 15-59

New Albany (15-7): Chyna Anthony 22, Earlean Davis 7, Julyen Condra 6, Kelsy Taylor 5, Marissa Jones 4, Alayasia Douglas 3.

Jennings County (11-14): Sidney Gerkin 15, Macy Roth 11, Kylee Matern 10, Alexus Brown 8, Callie Wilder 8, Baylee Byford 4, Eliza Gasper 3.

3-point field goals: New Albany 3 (Davis 1, Douglas 1, Jones 1); Jennings County 4 (Gerkin 2, Gasper 1, Matern 1).