Lexington KY - January 6, 2009

Sacred Heart Academy visited Lexington Catholic for a battle between two of the traditional powers in girls' basketball over the last several years.  Sacred Heart prevailed in a 54-53 victory over Lexington Catholic  in a game in which both teams appeared to have left their basketball "legs" in Florida after both appeared in a tournament in Naples last week.

Lexington Catholic led at halftime by a score of 20-17 but Sacred Heart rallied to take a 38-34 lead at the end of three quarters. Sacred Heart  held a 54-50 lead late in the game but LexCath's Danielle Corbett nailed a three point basket to cut the lead to one; 54-53 with less than six seconds left in the game.  Sacred Heart turned the ball over but LexCath's Maggie Wilson missed an off balance shot  at the buzzer for the win.

This was an exciting game for the fans but frustrating at times for the coaches.  Lexington Catholic got burned several times for easy baskets on the "give and go" play from Sacred Heart and Sacred Heart tried to give the game back to Lexington Catholic in the closing seconds.

Sacred Heart shot 42.9% from the field including only one of nine from the three point line.  The Valkyries connected on five of 10 free throws, pulled down 37 rebounds, and scored 14 points off 21 LexCath turnovers.  LexCath shot 41.2% from the field including only one of eight from beyond the arc.  The Lady Knights connected on 10 of 17 free throws, pulled down 32 rebounds, and scored 17 points off 19 SHA turnovers.

5-11 So. Morgan Clemons led the victors with 12 points and six rebounds.  5-4 So. Maddie Peabody and 5-6 Jr. Autumn Miller added 10 points each.  5-11 Jr. Jackie Hafele recorded  eight points, pulled down 13 rebounds, and dished out five assists.  5-9 Sr. Maggie Wilson led LexCath with 15 points and eight rebounds.  5-8 8th grader Octavia Wilson added nine points and six rebounds.

Sacred Heart Academy   11   6  21  16 - 54

Lexington Catholic         10  10  14  19 - 53

Sacred Heart Academy (54) - Stough 8, McGreal 6, Clemons 12, Peabody 10, Miller 10, Hafele 8.

Lexington Catholic        (53) - McGhee 6, Corbett 5, Smith 0, Scott 5, M. Wilson 15, Maronde 2, O. Wilson 9, Williams 1, Harrison 4, Botkin 6.

A special thanks to Glen Gentry and Gary Long from Lexington Catholic and Bob Tonini of Sacred Heart Academy for the computer stats and insight on the teams.