After making the All “A” Classic state championship in 2021, Walton-Verona
had failed to make it to the state tournament the last two seasons.
Finally…the Bearcats get back by crushing Gallatin County at home, 68-46, in the 8th
region All “A” championship.
“It means a lot, especially being at home. It’s always great being in front of your
home crowd with the cheerleaders and the band. We have a really rich tradition here and we’ve had the conversation of this group and me has a head coach, that hasn’t really done it yet, so you want to get that monkey off your back and get the job done,” Bearcats coach Rianna Gayheart said.
The Bearcats had an impressive scoring night, putting up 22 points more than
their season average, but they also dominated in so many other areas of the game to
help them to victory, including rebounding, ball movement, and especially defense.
Gallatin County was limited to just ten points apiece in the second, third, and fourth
quarter.
“We just kept pressuring the ball. We thought that we were in better shape than they
were. I knew that going into halftime that they were getting tired, so we wanted to
come out and make sure we weathered any storm that they brought and wear them
down,” Gayheart said.
It was an all-around effort in the scoring column by the Bearcats, who were led in
scoring by Elin Logue with 27 points and 5 three-pointers.
“I had a few layups early in the game, and it was just a great way to start. It helped
my confidence throughout the game and to continue hitting. I was also able to move
without the ball because we have a strong big game, which is good because we can
kick it out. When they get it inside, they’re really good at kicking out, so moving
without the ball was big for me,” Logue said.
Campbell Christy also stepped up with not only a huge 25-point performance, but
six assists and four steals as well.
“It took a lot of teamwork. Movement off the ball. I tried to make great passes to find
my teammates. I just kept playing for my team, just trying to get the steals to push
the ball up to my teammates. It’s a really great feeling,” Christy said.
Ava Kendall, Avery Geiman, Logue and Christy all made the all- tournament team for Walton-Verona.
Braylin Terrell won MVP, finishing the game with five points, five assists, eight
rebounds and five blocks.
Gallatin County was led by Whitley Biddle with 24 points and 16 rebounds.
Biddle, Lucy McVey, Morgan Jones, and Madison Fisher were named to the all-
tournament team for the Lady Wildcats.
Gallatin County falls to 8-7 and will look to bounce back on Monday at Carroll
County at 7:30 p.m.
Walton-Verona improves to 9-7, picking up their fourth straight win.
“We’ve just come such a long way as a program and a team this year. It just feels
great to be going to state with my girls and this team. I wouldn’t want to be with
anyone else,” Logue said.
The Bearcats will face the 1st region All “A” champion on Wednesday, Jan. 24,
at 11:30 a.m. at Corbin Arena.
BEARCATS 68, LADY WILDCATS 46
GALLATIN COUNTY — 16-10-10-10 — 46
WALTON-VERONA — 21-13-16-18 — 68
Scoring
GALLATIN COUNTY (46) — Biddle 24, Jones 9, Fisher 6, Bond 4, McVey 3
WALTON-VERONA (68) — Logue 27, Christy 25, Donato 5, Terrell 5, Dryden 2,
Geiman 2, Kendall 2
Game Stats
Field Goals: GC 12/43, WV 27/68
3-Pointers: GC 5/14, WV 7/20
Free Throws: GC 17/21, WV 7/16
Rebounds: GC 30, WV 36
Assists: GC 3, WV 15
Turnovers: GC 14, WV 7
Records: Gallatin County 8-7, Walton-Verona 9-7