Phil Campbell falls to Lauderdale County

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The Phil Campbell Bobcats dug themselves an early hole and could never climb out as they fell short of another trip to Birmingham, losing to Lauderdale County 47-35.

The Bobcats could only manage a single point for most of the first quarter, falling behind 11-1.

Both teams missed a lot of opportunities, but Phil Campbell’s were more pronounced.  The Bobcats made 12-of-46 shots from the field, making five three-pointers. Lauderdale County was 13-for-35 from the field, making four three-pointers.

“I thought they were giving us chances to stay in the game,” said Phil Campbell Coach Craig Thomas. “We kept fighting but came up short. We had several opportunities to get back in the game, but we just couldn’t get over the hump.”

The biggest difference came at the free-throw line. Phil Campbell shot 13 free throws and made six. Lauderdale County, however, went to the line 27 times and made 17.

The Bobcats struggled to find an answer to Lauderdale County’s freshman post player Ruthie Smith. Smith had a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

“She was the difference today,” said Thomas.

Katie Thomas hit a three-pointer with less than a minute to go in the first quarter to stop the Bobcats’ scoring drought, but the Tigers ended the first quarter with an 11-4 lead.

Lauderdale County maintained an eight- to 10-point lead through the second quarter and much of the third. The Tigers led the Bobcats 23-15 at halftime.

Phil Campbell was able to cut into Lauderdale County’s lead midway through the third quarter on three straight baskets. Kallie Allen and Thomas both hit layups, and Faith Cook nailed a three-pointer to cut Lauderdale County’s lead to 27-22.

The Tigers led 33-25 at the end of the third quarter.

The Bobcats made another run midway through the fourth quarter. A three-pointer by Caitlyn Mills and steal and layup by Allen cut the Tigers’ lead to 33-25 with 3:02 to go in the game.

The Tigers hit a couple of shots, forcing the Bobcats to start fouling, ending any chances of the comeback bid.

Allen led Phil Campbell with 11 points, followed by Thomas with 10 points. Mills added nine points, Cook three points and Olivia Taylor two points.

Allen and Thomas were both named to the All-Region team.

Phil Campbell ended the season with a 23-7 record.