A career night from junior Abby Harris sent the Bell County Lady Cats to the finals of the first 13th Region 2A Classic. Harris score 30 points in Bell’s 66-46 win Thursday over Knox Central.

”Everything we do, we do as a team,” said Harris. “It’s not about just one person. I knew what I had to do to help my team win the game, so I did it. We’ve been working really hard lately and we just keep playing for each other.”

“It was a good win for our team,” said Bell County coach David Teague. “The girls were extremely dialed-in tonight and executed the game plan extremely well.”

The Lady Cats wasted no time getting a jump on Knox. In the first quarter, Bell County outscored Knox 26-9; led by 15 points from Harris.

The Bell offense was less productive in the second quarter, scoring only nine points as Knox cut the deficit to 35-22 heading into the locker room at halftime.

After the half, the Bell offense got back on track. Behind the hot hand of Harris, the Lady Bobcats outscored Knox 15-8 in the period, led by 13 from Harris, to take a 50-30 lead into the final period.

“I thought our defensive intensity was a huge part of the game. Our team battled all night long. I’m very proud of them,” added Teague.

“You’ve got to give Bell County credit. They did a great job of stopping us,” said Knox Central coach Jamie Sowders, “I don’t feel like they are 20 points better than us, but Thursday night they were. They held three of our best players to only one point each. Emily Davis really carried us throughout the night with 23 points. We’re just going to have to shake it off and get ready for the next game.”

The Lady Cats will be back in action on Saturday against Corbin for the 13th Region 2A Classic title.

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Bell County (66) — Abby Harris 30, Ashtyn Meyers 11, Brea Browning 10, Mackenize Griffin 8, Abigail Cornett 3, Mackenize Napier 2, Talyah McQueen 2.

Knox Central (46) — Emily Davis 23, Zoe Liford 11, Presley Partin 9, Emily Mills 1, Caylan Mills 1, Ryleigh Swafford 1.