Midway College in the Midst of Historic Season
Eagles Win 20th and Clinch Regular Season Conference Crown
Midway, Ky. - For the first time since the 1994-95 season, the Eagles have reached the 20 win plateau. But, this achievement is much more than just a number. Midway (20-7/8-1) defeated Alice Lloyd College (11-14/3-6) 81-55 and clinched the first regular season KIAC championship in school history.
"It's been a magical season and what you've seen here has never happened before at Midway College," said Head Coach Timothy Southers, as he addressed a jubilant crowd after the win. "This is the first time this has ever happened here at Midway College," he said, pointing to the blue banners hanging above the floor at the north end of Marshall Gymnasium, acknowledging what couldn't be seen there. "This is the first regular season conference championship in school history and what you've seen tonight is history."
Among 14 Eagles in the scoring column was Danielle Lascoe (Louisville, KY/Jeffersontown H.S.), who came away with a game high 14 points.
Both teams went scoreless for the game's first 2:44 until Ashley Parker (Midway, FL/Amos P. Godby H.S.) broke the ice with a layup out of the fast break and scored the first two of her 10 points.
While Midway wanted to force an up-tempo track meet, Alice Lloyd wanted to slow the pace. To make their game plan work, the visitors employed a 1-3-1 zone defense that forced Midway shooters away from the basket, limited dribble drives to the hoop and demanded offensive patience and crisp, on-target passing to reverse the ball. Midway was up to the challenge. Their offensive and defensive pressure was relentless and eventually, the tempo was to their liking. Midway surged ahead with a 16-4 outburst, kept their foot on the accelerator and went on to score 45 points in the first half and held a 21 point lead at the break. Desiree Haney (Paintsville, KY/Paintsville H.S.) and freshmen Haley Wilkinson (Glasgow, KY/Barren County H.S.) and Kayla Rose (Morganfield, KY/Union County H.S.) hit two 3-pointers each in the opening period.
The Eagles' effort in the second half included an 8-0 run, which was punctuated by a sensational one-on-one defensive stop by Haney. The senior guard chased down the ballhandler from behind and swatted away a layup attempt, as Midway fans and team's bench erupted in cheers and applause.
Sophomore forwards Katie Arsenault (Crestwood, KY/South Oldham H.S.) and Beth Jamison (Taylorsville, KY/Spencer County H.S.) played spirited defense and gave the team a lift offensively, combining for 15 points.
Leading the way for Alice Lloyd was Sierra Wynn, who scored 10 points. Lyndsey Mahon and Nicole Lutes added nine each.
Midway outscored the visitors 36-31 in the seconf half and earned a victory that encompassed a season's hard work and focus on the team's shared goals.
Having won the regular season conference title, Midway has earned the top seed in the conference tournament, which will be held at Asbury College. The Eagles will open post-season play next Friday, February 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.