Lady Royals Claim AAC Co-Championship with Victory Over Union Commonwealth

BARBOURVILLE, KY– The Lady Royals made history on Saturday afternoon, defeating Union Commonwealth 60-52 to secure the title of Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) co-champions. The win capped off an incredible regular season for Johnson (24-4, 19-3 AAC) as they now turn their focus to the conference tournament.

Head coach Bryan Lawhon reflected on the significance of the achievement. "To put into words how it feels to be co-champions is surreal, honestly," Lawhon said. "When we took this program over just three short seasons ago, we had a vision. Many didn't understand or believe in that vision for a team that had just finished last in the AAC. But because of AD Brandon Perry's vision for women's basketball and our athletic department, I knew this would be possible. I owe so much gratitude and thanks to Coach Perry and our administration here at JU. They've believed in me, our program & our vision from day one."

Game Recap

The Lady Royals controlled the game from the outset, leading 16-12 after the first quarter and taking a 32-21 advantage into halftime. Union Commonwealth fought back in the second half, outscoring Johnson in the third quarter, but the Lady Royals maintained their composure to secure the win.

Key Performers

• Emily Wilson led all scorers with 18 points, adding five rebounds and two assists.

• Jordan Heifner contributed 13 points, six rebounds, and four steals while playing a team-high 33 minutes.

• Bekah Gardner provided a spark off the bench with nine points, including three three-pointers.

• Sophia Singer added eight points and four rebounds in a solid all-around effort.

Looking Ahead

With the regular season complete, the Lady Royals set their sights on the AAC tournament. Lawhon emphasized the importance of staying focused. "This is just step one. The season is far from over. We have the conference tournament next week, and it doesn't get any easier. For us to achieve step two (conference tournament champs) and step three (national tournament), we have to stay focused on today, every single day. Conference tournament is always tough – it's win and advance. But I believe in my girls' grit, determination & pure will to win. We're looking forward to the challenge."

The Lady Royals will now prepare for the AAC tournament, where they will look to continue their historic season and add another milestone to their journey. For full schedule details and tournament updates, visit JohnsonRoyals.com.