KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament results, highlights from 2nd day at Rupp Arena
LEXINGTON, Ky. — After a dud of a performance last year in his program’s state tournament debut, McCracken County High School girls basketball coach Scott Sivills changed things up this time around.
“We felt rushed last year,” Sivills said. “We felt like getting up here a day early, having a nice meal, getting relaxed, I just saw a difference. They were ready for the moment.”
The Mustangs were ready from the tipoff Thursday, bolting to a double-digit lead in the first quarter on their way to a 71-41 rout of Bethlehem in the first round of the Mingua Beef Jerky Girls Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena.
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McCracken County entered last year’s Sweet 16 with a No. 2 state ranking and a 24-game winning streak but was bounced by Southwestern 67-56 in the first round.
This Mustangs team — ranked No. 4 in the state — now has a 21-game winning streak.
“The nerves were still there a little bit,” junior guard Claire Johnson said. “But compared to last year, it decreased tremendously. It felt a lot easier, more comfortable this year.”
Murray State signee Destiny Thomas had 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks to lead the Mustangs. Johnson pitched in 23 points, four assists and four steals. McCracken County will face Ashland Blazer in Friday’s 6 p.m. quarterfinal.
The Mustangs shot 62.1% (18 of 29) in the first half to build a 40-19 halftime lead.
Girls Sweet 16 analysis: Take a look at the field — ranked from No. 16 to No. 1
“I do feel like we’re one of the best teams up here,” Sivills said. “We had to prove it, and I felt like today we proved that.”
Carlie Thurmond scored 17 points and Emma Filiatreau added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Bethlehem (28-8). The Banshees shot just 30.2% and committed 22 turnovers, leading to 24 McCracken County points.
“They took us to the woodshed,” Bethlehem coach Jason Clark said. “They’re a good basketball team. We just couldn’t get enough stops to do anything.”
MCCRACKEN COUNTY 19 21 19 12 - 71
BETHLEHEM 7 12 18 4 - 41
McCracken County (33-2) – Destiny Thomas 27, Mikee Buchanan 8, Caroline Sivills 7, Claire Johnson 23, Briley Benton 5, Belle York 1.
Bethlehem (28-8) – Ashlyn Miles 4, Emma Filiatreau 10, Tessa Miles 6, Carlie Thurmond 17, Mariela Lazano 2, Khloe Young 2.
Henderson County 56, Simon Kenton 54 (2OT)
Jarie Thomas had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Shalyn Sprinkles hit several key free throws in the second overtime to lift the No. 7 Colonels (27-4) over the Pioneers (19-15).
Down 15-6 after the first quarter, Henderson County finally rallied to tie the score at 41 on Sprinkles’ 3-pointer with 26 seconds left in regulation. Thomas hit two free throws with 33 seconds left in the first overtime to tie the score at 46 and force the second extra period.
Anna Kemp’s two free throws with 2:06 left in the second overtime gave Henderson County the lead for good at 53-52. Sprinkles hit 3 of 4 free throws in the final 1:02 to seal it.
The Colonels will face Mercy in Friday’s 8:30 p.m. quarterfinal.
Brynil Pernell scored 19 points and Emilee Eggleston added 17 to lead the Pioneers.
HENDERSON COUNTY 6 16 10 9 5 10 - 56
SIMON KENTON 15 11 11 4 5 8 - 54
Henderson County (27-4) – Jarie Thomas 19, Brooklyn Gibson 10, Mallorie Veal 4, Savannah Lacer 2, Graci Risley 6, Shalyn Sprinkles 11, Anna Kemp 4.
Simon Kenton (19-15) – Emilee Eggleston 17, Haylie Webb 10, Brynli Pernell 19, Megan Gadzala 2, Anna Kelch 5, Rylie Flynn 1.
More Day 2 action:4-star recruit Leah Macy takes over in KHSAA Sweet 16 opener as Mercy knocks off Cooper
Ashland Blazer 46, Knott County Central 34
Stacy Davis brought a defense-minded philosophy in her first season as coach at Ashland Blazer, and her team delivered Thursday.
The Kittens held Knott County Central scoreless in the first quarter and led 21-6 at halftime on their way to a 12-point victory.
Knott County Central missed its first 17 shots.
“That’s what we’ve thrived on all season long is our defensive effort,” said Davis, who replaced longtime coach Bill Bradley last offseason. “They came out that first half, and I don’t think Knott County knew really what hit them. They had to force some shots, threw up shots quick. I think that set the momentum for us starting out.”
Sophomore point guard Kenleigh Woods scored 21 points to lead Ashland Blazer (26-7).
“She’s the engine, the motor,” Davis said. “She plays like that day in and day out — not only in practice, but in practice she goes at that same speed.”
The Kittens won a Sweet 16 game for the first time since advancing to the semifinals in 2014.
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Kaylee Gibson scored nine points to lead Knott County Central.
Haley Combs’ free throw with 5:16 left in the second quarter gave the Patriots their first point of the game. Kylie Gayheart’s 3-pointer with 27 seconds left in the first half was the Patriots’ first field goal, making the score 21-6.
Knott County Central coach Justin Amburgey said Ashland Blazer’s “physicality bothered us.”
“I don’t know if it was a little jitters or what,” he said. “We just couldn’t get one to fall and kind of dug ourselves a hole.”
Gibson’s 3-pointer with 2:47 left pulled the Patriots within 41-32, but that’s as close as it got.
ASHLAND BLAZER 11 10 12 13 - 46
KNOTT COUNTY CENTRAL 0 6 16 12 - 34
Ashland Blazer (26-7) – Jaidyn Gulley 6, Aryanna Gulley 3, Kenleigh Woods 21, Gabby Karle 2, Ella Seallars 12, Jenna Delaney 2.
Knott County Central (23-10) – Faith Pollard 5, Haley Combs 5, Kylie Gayheart 6, Layce Hall 2, Kaylee Gibson 9, Drew Reed 2, Akasia Bentley 3, Bella Hammond 2.
Live updates: KHSAA Sweet 16 basketball coverage from Rupp Arena
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball results from first round at Rupp Arena
