GIRLS' 3RD REGION BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: Meade moves on to semifinals with 64-56 win over Owensboro (03/01)

Spurred by sensational sophomore Morgan Turner, the Meade County Lady Waves cleared a big obstacle Thursday night.

Turner scored a game-high 28 points and had 13 rebounds to lead the Lady Waves to a 64-56 win over Owensboro in the Girls’ 3rd Region Basketball Tournament quarterfinals at the Owensboro Sportscenter.

“It was just a super performance,” Meade County coach Josh Hurt said of Turner. “She really put us on her back early and made some big plays late. She was a dominant player and she really was able to shine on a big stage.”

And she helped Meade County (22-9) advance to the tournament semifinals for the first time since 2007. The Lady Waves face Ohio County (24-8) at 4:45 p.m. Saturday.

“It means a lot for us to move on,” Hurt said. “Our kids are excited to be able to practice tomorrow.”

Meade County was in control throughout, building a 19-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and stretching it to 32-20 at the half.

Owensboro (19-12) pulled within five near the end of the third but Turner, who hit 4-of-7 3-pointers, drained a 3 at the buzzer to give the Lady Waves a 43-35 lead going to the fourth.

Meade County pushed its lead back out to double digits, but the Lady Devils rallied to slice the lead to 60-54 with 25.7 seconds left and forcing Hurt to call a timeout.

“We had to possess the ball better,” he said. “We were sloppy. I think we were in a position where we wanted the clock to run out instead of just playing. I told them we needed to play till the clock ran out.”

The Lady Waves sank four free throws in the final 20 seconds to secure the win.

The teams combined for 50 fouls and 68 free throws. Meade County was 24-of-33 from the line, while Owensboro struggled – finishing 13-of-35 – to capitalize on its chances from the stripe.

“I think both teams were just really pumped about being there,” Hurt said. “I think the adrenaline got away from us. Once we got a lead, I think they wanted to be more physical. It was really not a typical regional game. When you get to the region, it’s usually no-blood, no-foul. It was just that kind of game.”

One the Lady Waves are glad they won.

“Our program has come a long way in a couple of years,” Hurt said. “Now we’ve got to take advantage of the chance we’ve been given.”

MEADE COUNTY 64, OWENSBORO 56

Owensboro          11      9     15    19—56

Meade County     19     13     11    21—64

Owensboro (19-12)

Wesli Washington 14, Jordin Crabtree 13, Sade Greer 9, Desire Degroot 8, Charidee Harris 8, Casshai Greer 2. FG: 20-52. FT: 13-35. 3-pointers: 1-8 (Washington 0-4, Crabtree 1-3, Harris 0-1). Rebs: 35 (S. Greer 9, Washington 6). Assists: 7 (Washington 4, Harris 2). Steals: 13 (Washington 5, Crabtree 3, C. Greer 3).

Meade County (22-9)

Morgan Turner 28, Raley Johnson 15, Addi Lynch 12, Maya Luney 6, Katelyn Cucino 3. FG: 17-38. FT: 24-33. 3-pointers: 6-17 (Turner 4-7, Johnson 1-4, Lynch 0-3, Cucino 1-2, Kelsey Sutton 0-1). Rebs: 31 (Turner 13, Johnson 4). Assists: 12 (Cucino 6, Sutton 2, Lynch 2). Steals: 6 (Johnson 2).