Marshall County’s Lady Marshals dominated McCracken County with a decisive 49-19 victory on Friday in the Mercy Health Region 1 Tournament semifinals, securing their place in Saturday’s championship game.
This marks their return to the title game for the first time since 2023 when they fell to the Lady Mustangs, who went on to finish as state runner-up after losing to Sacred Heart in the championship.
The Lady Marshals will face Calloway County in the Region 1 Championship on Saturday at 7:00. The Lady Lakers advanced with a commanding 78-42 win over Paducah Tilghman in the second semifinal. This will be the third meeting between the district rivals this season, with Marshall County holding a 2-1 advantage, including a 40-32 victory in the 4th District Championship.
Ranked sixth in the state for defensive performance, the Lady Marshals have limited opponents to an average of just 36.1 points per game—a strength that was on full display at the CFSB Center on Friday night.
“I couldn’t be more proud with how we came out tonight”, Head Coach Aaron Beth said in post-game comments to WCBL’s Jeff Waters. “We struggled scoring there a little bit early, well the whole first half really. It took us a little while to get going.”
Beth praised the defensive effort: “I knew we had the capability of playing a great defensive game, holding them to under 20 was even better than I thought.”
“Our girls played so hard…came out in the second half and just dominated the game defensively and then we allowed our defense to create some offense”, said Beth. “We got some transition baskets, Skylar got an and-1 then made a three then Kenzlee made a three. Once we get going and get our rhythm, it just fuels the defense.”
Skylar Waller led the way with 12 points, while Kenzlee Terry and Addi Wall each finished with 10. Eden Sandlin knocked down three of the team’s seven 3-pointers, with Waller and Terry adding two each.
Terry received Player of the Game honors for her performance in the semifinal game.
The Lady Marshals jumped out to an 11-3 lead before McCracken County closed the first quarter with two late baskets, cutting the deficit to 11-7.
Sandlin opened the second quarter with a three-pointer to extend the lead, but the Lady Mustangs came back, narrowing the gap to 14-11. Terry answered with a three, and Laken Schroader banked in a shot to close a low-scoring first half with Marshall County ahead 19-11.
The second half was all Lady Marshals. Sandlin drilled a three to kick things off, and the defensive effort on McCracken County allowed just two points in the third quarter. Marshall County went on to outscore them 30-8 in the half.
Waller led the second-half charge with eight points, followed by Terry with seven. Wall and Sandlin each added six, while Rylan Darnall capped off the scoring.
The Lady Marshals will set their sights on bringing home the Region 1 Championship for the first time in four years.
Marshall County 11 19 33 49
McCracken County 7 11 13 19
Marshall County (24 -6): Skylar Waller 12, Kenzlee Terry 10, Addi Wall 10, Eden Sandlin 9, Laken Schroader 4, Rylee Teague 2, Rylan Darnall 2
Marshall County: FG 17/37, 3PT 7/14 (Sandlin 3, Waller 2, Terry 2), FT 8/9 (Waller 4/4), AST 11, REB 16
McCracken County (18-14): Ava Hughes 8, Reagan Hill 6, Madeleine Ault 3, Abby Casebier 2
McCracken County: FG 7/22, 3PT 0/9, FT 5/7, REB 14
Lady Marshals vs. McCracken Co., Region 1 Semifinal
