Call it heart! The Whitley County Lady Colonels, who lost four starters late in the season, saw those players return for the district opener Tuesday and pull off a 43-40 win over South Laurel.

It was all about heart and determination as the Lady Colonels could have folded when they found themselves down 19-9 late in the second quarter.

But, a three-point play by Bethany Powers, playing with a knee injury, pulled the Lady Colonels within seven at the half.

Taylor Dingess then ignited a 5-0 run that saw the Lady Colonels pull within three (20-17). South Laurel led at the end of three, 26-24.

Whitley County fought through foul trouble in the fourth quarter and took a 33-23 lead on a Maria Johnson three-pointer.

With the game tied at 40-40, Kandace Craig, who suffered a broken hand, grabbed a rebound and hit Brandie Smith at the top of the key for game winning three-pointer.

Smith led the winners with 11 points while Dingess had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Whitley Co. 43, South Laurel 40

South Laurel  8   11    7   14- 40

Whitley Co.    7     5  12   19- 43

   South Laurel (40) - Johnson 9, Arthur 14, Reynolds 2, Baker 2, Clonce 13,

   Whitley Co. (43) - Smith 11, Johnson 9, Powers 5, Sizemore 4, Dingess 10, Jones 2, Craig 2.