Lady Cougars heading to state playoffs; first face Louisa for region title

Patriot Staff Report

The Pulaski County Lady Cougars are heading back to the state girls basketball tournament.

Pulaski County will take on old nemesis Louisa County on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Louisa for the Class 4 Region D championship. However, both teams will represent Region D in the eight-team state tournament.

If Pulaski County wins Friday, they’ll start their state tournament journey with a home game.  If they lose Friday, they’ll start that journey on the road.

Pulaski County beat Louisa County last season to win the Region D championship. The year before, in 2021 the Lady Cougars fell to Louisa in the state title matchup.

After sweeping through the River Ridge District tournament and another championship there, the Lady Cougars began region play by thumping Jefferson Forest, 69-44.

Paige Huff led Pulaski County in that one with 18 points. Keslyn Secrist, River Ridge Player of the Year added 15 in the win.

Other scoring was Tori Vest with 11, Morgan Vest with 10, Jaden Lawson had 5, Andi Ratcliff added 4, Hannah Keefer had 3 and Kenzlee Jones chipped in 3 also.

While Pulaski County won easily, the Lady Cavaliers kept the final score much more respectful this season. Pulaski County thrashed Jefferson Forest in region play last season, 101-39.

Next up was E.C. Glass.

Pulaski County laid the wood to the Lady Hilltoppers, 63-20.

This time Keefer led the Lady Cougars with 14 points. Secrist had 10 and three players – Huff, Lawson and Jones – each had 8 points in the win. Other scorers were Ratcliff, Morgan Vest and Destiny Duncan with 4 each and Tori Vest with 3.

Last year, Pulaski County’s bid for a state title ended in the state semi-finals with a 68-59 overtime loss to Millbrook.  Millbrook was go on to fall in the state championship game to King’s Fork.

Here’s hoping the Lady Cougars can bring home the gold this season.