The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS — Covington coach Tara Simmons-Brewster couldn’t have been prouder of the effort by her Cougars.
Dressing just eight players and plagued by foul problems, the Cougars were running out of gas and running low on bodies.
But they weren’t running on empty.
Ariel Barber hooked up with Kim Via for a couple of crucial baskets in the second overtime Wednesday night, lifting the Cougars to a hard-fought 56-50 decision over the scrappy Bath County Chargers.
The win also secured Covington a third-place finish in the Pioneer District standings as they head into next week’s district tournament. The Cougars finished 6-6 in Pioneer play and now stand at 7-14 overall.
The Chargers erased a 12-point deficit in the third quarter and forced overtime courtesy of two clutch free throws by Kassedi Estes with 3.3 seconds remaining in regulation.
Covington missed six free throws in the final 1:08 of regulation, and the Chargers finished the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run to send it into overtime.
A?Selena Wolfe basket, a steal and layup by Gabrie Herscher and Estes’ two big free throws tied it at 41-all.
The two teams traded buckets in the first extra session before two Emily Douglas free throws with 1:33 remaining allowed the Chargers to again tie it at 47-47.
The Cougars took the lead for good when Barber found Via for an easy two midway through the second overtime. Via, Zy’onah Garrison and Elaishja Helton then hit four free throws in the final 1:10 to seal the Covington win.
“That was all them,”?Simmons-Brewster said following a Cougar celebration in the visitors locker room. “They never gave up.”
Cristi Persinger hit 8-of-11 from the floor and scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Cougars before fouling out. Helton added 11 points, while Garrison scored 10.
Barber contributed seven points, 18 rebounds, five blocks and several nice assists, including the two crucial dishes to Via in overtime.
Via scored five of her seven points in the second overtime. Stacy Tacy also had 10 boards for the Cougars.
“This was a big win for us,”?Simmons-Brewster added. “They kept believing in themselves.”
A?5-0 Bath County run midway through the second quarter that was highlighted by five straight Douglas points and a Herscher free throw gave the Chargers a 15-11 lead, but the Cougars came back to tie it at 15-all at the half.
They then opened the second half with a 16-4 run to build their biggest lead of the night.
The run included a Barber 3-pointer, and another by Garrison ended the spurt, giving the Cougars a 31-19 lead.
The Chargers then begin whittling away at their deficit, and a long two by Skyler Hupman to open the fourth quarter had Bath County back to within three at 33-30.
Estes led the Chargers with 16 points, while Douglas carded a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards. Wolfe led the Chargers with 16 rebounds.
The Chargers recognized their three seniors — Joley McLain, Bella Dufour and Estes — before the game.
“We just couldn’t get into a rhythm offensively,”?said Bath County coach Adam Frye. “I’m so proud of the fight back there in the third quarter. Our defense, at times tonight, was phenomenal.”
Both the Chargers (3-8 Pioneer, 6-13 overall) and the Cougars close their regular season schedules Friday night. Covington hosts James River, while Bath County travels to Eastern Montgomery.
The Cougars were a 27-15 winner in Wednesday’s jayvee opener.
Makieah Mack led the Cougars with 10 points, while Lauren Bragg added six. Samya Allen with five, Raven Heighter with four and Paris Richmond with two rounded out the Covington scoring.
Chaya Offer had six points to pace the Chargers, while Demi Legg had three. Chelsey Lowry, Hope May and Malia Whittington with two apiece rounded out the Bath County scoring.
Covington enjoyed a 13-6 lead at the half.
Tuesday’s Game
Bath County lost a 42-36 decision to Narrows in Bath County on Tuesday night.
Hailey Blankenship and Audrey Riddle both scored 11 for the Green Wave.
Estes led the Chargers with 19.
