Hawks girls 2-0 in 4-AAA after late drama, easy win
HARDIN VALLEY — From high drama to a yawner, Hardin Valley Academy varsity girls basketball opened its District 4-AAA season 2-0 last week.
A lay-up from senior post Symphony Buxton in the closing seconds, off a pass from junior post Abbey Cornelius, put the finishing touches on the Hawks’ late rally at Heritage Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Overcoming a 9-point deficit entering the fourth quarter to lead 51-50, HVA held on as the Mountaineers missed a three-point jumper at the buzzer.
Limiting the Mountaineers to seven fourth-quarter points, a 17-7 edge after trailing 43-34, “We didn’t hang our heads or get down. We were down on the scoreboard but we never did quit,” Hardin Valley head coach Jennifer Galloway said.
Cornelius led HVA in scoring with 13 points. Junior Paige Gentry added 11 while senior Bekah Hampton scored 10. Buxton ended with eight points.
“They’re always a very solid team and they are very tough at home,” Galloway said about Heritage. “They always can shoot the ball well and they have a very good, solid defense.”
Three nights later, hosting a struggling West team, Hardin Valley [8-1 to start the week] breezed to a 66-22 district victory.
Buxton scored 19 to lead HVA followed by Cornelius with 18.
Regardless of how easy an upcoming opponent might seem, “Our girls have been doing a really good job of trying to put into practice whatever it is the coaches are emphasizing that particular week,” Galloway said.
Lizzie Davis scored seven for the Hawks Friday. Autumn Fields had six, Hampton five, Mikayla McDaniel four, Gentry three and two points each for Allie Sexton and Landin Khiemdavanh.
