Prep Basketball: Gallatin County girls fall to Herrin to start season

The Gallatin County High School girls' basketball team opened its 2017-18 slate with a second half stumble, falling to Herrin 45-35 at the Heartland Regional Lady Cat Tip-Off Classic at Marion High School.

Gallatin County opened the game with a 15-8 lead, thanks in part to eight points from Hailey Chubb. The Hawks' senior guard had 11 first half points, helping Gallatin County take a 21-20 first half lead.

Herrin outscored Gallatin County 11-4 in the third quarter and led 31-25 heading int the final eight minutes. The Hawks gifted Herrin five quick turnovers in the third as the Tigers went on a 7-0 run through the first 2:30 to play and the Hawks were held scoreless the first 1:30 of the fourth quarter.

Herrin clung to a 37-29 lead with 4:27 to play as Madison Russell paced the Tiger offense with 15 points, but turnovers continued to be Gallatin County's achilles heel in the second half as the Hawks committed nine miscues.

Gallatin County made one last late run at Herrin, going on a 6-0 with to pull within six with 40 seconds to play, but the Tigers got a runout with Grace Lehnhoff finishing as Herrin held a 43-35 lead with 18.2 to play and went on for the 10-point win.

Chubb led all scorers with 21 points and was the only Gallatin County player to finish in double figures.

Amy Borland chipped in with six points for the Hawks, while Audrey Jackson finished with five points. Gracie Sauls tacked on two points and Emma Brockett tossed in a free throw.

Herrin was led by 16 points from Russell.

Gallatin County returns to action tonight (Wednesday) in Marion against the host Wildcats at 5:30 p.m.

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Register, Eldorado Journal & The Gallatin County Democrat. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.