Madison County entered Friday’s state tournament game with four sick players, but Courtney Freeman was immune to any virus going around – and any defense Hillgrove could draw up.
Freeman scored 38 points to lead Madison County (24-5) to a 74-66 victory over the visiting Lady Hawks (17-10) in the opening round of the Class AAAA postseason.
“Courtney was feeling great,” coach Dan Lampe said.
The 38-point outburst from Freeman came on the heels of a rare seven-point performance against Clarke Central in the 8-AAAA region championship game.
Freeman lost a contact lens in that game, obscuring her ability to see the ball, let alone score.
But her vision was impeccable Friday in Madison County’s 13th-straight victory.
“She brought an extra pair of lenses,” Lampe quipped.
Freeman had 20 points at the half, and Madison County needed every bit of it as the Lady Raiders clung to a 35-29 lead.
“I felt like the other team brought it to us early,” said Lampe, whose Lady Raiders fell behind 10-2 early.
The Lady Raiders trailed for most of the first and second quarters before going on an 11-0 run -- sparked by back-to-back baskets from Freeman – to end the first half.
Madison County built on that lead in the second half, leading by 15 points twice, though it never quite put Hillgrove away.
The Lady Hawks cut the lead to 70-64 late before Madison County iced the game at the free throw line.
Kayla Freeman added 11 points and Sam LaZear came off the bench to score 10 in another savvy performance by the freshman.
The Lady Raiders now face Southwest Dekalb (25-4), last year’s Class AAAA champions, in the second round. Madison County will host that game, too.
“We’re going to have to bring it better than we brought it tonight,” Lampe said.
Friday’s contest was the Lady Raiders’ first game in a week.
However, Madison County's next game is in just three days. Lampe likes the fact that there won't be a long lapse between games now.
“Now, we’re in the routine of it,” Lampe said. “I think it takes all the sluggishness out of it.”
Madison Co. 74, Hillgrove 66
HHS 20 9 13 24 -- 66
MCHS 16 19 16 23 -- 74
Leading scorers: C. Freeman 38, K. Feeman 11, LaZear 10, Arnold 8, Fleming 7
