By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

When her team needed her most, LaGrange’s Kamelah Kelley was up to the challenge.

Harris County trailed by 17 points heading into the final quarter of Tuesday’s game, but with four minutes to play, that deficit was down to four.

The Lady Grangers were in danger of watching a game they seemingly had won slip away, but Kelley wasn’t going to let that happen.

Kelley made a clutch 3-pointer with 2:57 to play to push the lead back to seven, and she made another shot from long distance one minute later to give LaGrange a nine-point lead.

LaGrange held on for a 56-44 victory to improve to 4-3 and win its third straight game.

Kelley was limited to four points through the first three quarters, but she scored eight of her team’s 11 points in the final quarter.

“She was frustrated in the first half. She got in foul trouble and I had to sit her a lot,” LaGrange head coach Stephen Tuck said. “I said you’re too good of a player. Don’t get frustrated. The team’s going to need you.”

With the game on the line, Tuck was proven correct, with Kelley making some massive shots to end Harris County’s comeback bid.

“She’s become a really good shooter this season,” Tuck said. “That’s exciting to see, the fact that she’s taking that shot, and making it.”

Madison Coverson added nine points for LaGrange, Kylah Campbell scored seven points, and Corriah Williams had six points, all in the second quarter.

LaGrange led 12-10 after the first quarter, and it extended that lead to 27-17 at the half.

LaGrange dominated the third quarter, outscoring Harris County 18-11 to build a 17-point cushion with eight minutes to play.

Harris County fought back and made things interesting until Kelley put it away late with her back-to-back 3-pointers.

Tuck appreciates the effort that Harris always plays with.

“I love playing teams like that because of how hard they play,” Tuck said. “It reminds me of how Troup plays. You want to play games where teams are going to play hard. They’re tough games. It’s always exciting to play Harris County.”