Blurbs of other recent games at end of article
Coming off three straight losses, the Henderson County Lady Colonels (3-4) got back into the win column on Tuesday night, defeating the Mater Dei Wildcats (6-3), 61-36. The Lady Cols were able to emerge victorious behind the combination of a suffocating defense, large runs, and the emergence of an important role player.
Henderson established their dominance from the tipoff, scoring the first seven points of the game, all by senior leader A’Tylia Green who hit a layup, followed by a three-pointer, and then two free throws. Green would finish the quarter with 12 points. None were as exciting as the final three, which saw Green bank in a buzzer-beater from just inside the halfcourt line.
While their shooting was impressive, hitting four threes in the opening frame, the Lady Cols’ defense was equally as spectacular as the Wildcats were held without a field goal until a basket by Halle Dickerson with 1:07 left. By the end of the quarter, HCHS held an imposing 28-7 lead.
“We’ve been working on playing more complementary basketball with our defense leading to our offense. On offense, we’re taking our time a little bit more and being more selective with our shots,” said head coach Stephen Haile. “Against Mater Dei, we did a good job of that.”
Henderson’s large lead allowed Haile to go to his bench early in the second quarter, giving young players such as sophomore Bella Estabrook, 8th grader Brynn Rideout, and 7th grader Kenley Evans valuable experience.
Junior JaNyla Locher would lead the way in the second quarter however, scoring eight of her 16 points. Locher, who entered the game averaging five points a game, is a player that Haile has expected to take a step forward this season. She showed flashes of her potential against the Wildcats, shooting 5-for-8 (63%) from the field, including leading the Lady Cols by going 3-for-4 (75%) from the three point line. She added two rebounds and went 3-for-4 (75%) from the free throw line as well.
“Nyla Locher really picked it up,” Haile said. “She kind of had a little bit of a struggle at the start of the season. She’s a kid that works hard every single day and does everything you ask her to do, so it was a little bit unexpected. She really picked it up, scoring 16 points.”
As a team, the Lady Cols shot 7-for-17 (41%) from three-point range to mark a season high percentage.
Henderson held a 40-15 advantage heading into halftime. Mater Dei would never get closer as both teams played to a 21-21 tie in the second half with the Lady Cols claiming the 25-point victory.
Senior Addy Gish had to sit most of the first half after picking up two fouls in the first quarter. She was able to put together a solid second half, scoring six of her eight points after halftime.
Green, who recently signed to continue her career at Kentucky State, tied Locher for the team-lead with 16 points, including two rebounds and two threes.
Sophomore Callie Burnett led the Lady Cols with seven rebounds to go along with six points. Junior Jersey Gardner added seven points. The scoring was rounded out by Estabrook with three, Evans with two, Nevaeh Dixon with two, and Maggee Melvin with one. Melvin also pulled down six rebounds.
Henderson will be back in action Friday evening against South Oldham as some of the best teams in the state will battle for the title of Queen of the Commonwealth over four days in the Louisville area.
“It’s probably the top-rated Christmas tournament in Kentucky,” Haile said. “We’re going to see a lot of really good teams up there. As long as we keep getting better, I’m not too worried about our record because at the end of the season it will all work itself out.”
Other recent games:
Henderson 70 Evansville Memorial 17 (Dec. 8)
The Lady Colonels poured in a season-high eight three-pointers (8-for-22) as they completely dominated a short-handed Evansville Memorial team. Ten players found their names in the scoring column.
Senior A’Tylia Green was the leading scorer with 13 points. Sophomore Bella Estabrook tallied 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting from downtown. Seventh grader Kenley Evans added six points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Evansville Central 55 Henderson 50 (Dec. 11)
Henderson suffered a close road loss in Indiana on Dec. 11 to the Evansville Central Bears, 55-50.
HCHS was led in scoring by senior A’Tylia Green with 24 points, including four threes. Fellow senior Addy Gish chipped in eight points and a team-high six rebounds. Sophomore Jersey Gardner also added eight points.
O’Fallon (Ill.) 65 Henderson 50 (Dec. 13)
The Lady Colonels traveled to McCracken County to face O’Fallon Township from Illinois in the 2025 Holiday Hoopla Classic. Unfortunately, the Panthers came out on top behind 34 points from Josie Christopher.
A’Tylia Green did her best to stay with Christopher leading Henderson with 25 points on 10-of-23 (45%) shooting. Kenley Evans led the team with five rebounds and added three points. Junior JaNyla Locher contributed seven points.
Castle 61 Henderson 35 (Dec. 15)
A’Tylia Green led the team in scoring with 11 points and two rebounds. Sophomore Callie Burnett added eight points and seven rebounds, but the Lady Colonels were unable to keep it close as the Knights pulled away for a 61-35 victory.
