2022KHSAAGG13

2022 Mingua Beef Jerky Girls’ Sweet 16® State Basketball Tournament

Bullitt East (33-4) vs. Southwestern (27-8) (Semifinal)

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 12, 2022

Bullitt East coach Chris Stallings started the following lineup: 5-10 So. Anna Rogers, 5-8 Jr. Logan Ortega, 6-6 Sr. Gracie Merkle, 5-8 Jr. Lilly Reid, and 5-8 Sr. Emma Egan.  Southwestern coach Junior Molden countered with 5-11 Sr.Makayla Noritis, 5-10 Jr. Kaylee Young, 6-1 So. Payton Acey, 5-6 Fr. Kinsley Molden, and 5-7 Jr. Ayden Smiddy. (Unfortunately for Southwestern Makayla Noritis attempted to play but was limited to only 2 minutes because of the ankle injury sustained in the last game and the Warriors were without a key performer for this game).

Bullitt East utilized a dominating performance (27 points, 21 rebounds, 5 blocks) by Gracie Merkle to defeat Southwestern by the score of 66-42.  Bullitt East shot 45.8% from the field including one of 11 from the three point line.  The Lady Chargers connected on 21 of 31 free throws, pulled down 39 rebounds, and scored 23 points off 15 Southwestern turnovers.  Southwestern shot 26.3% from the field including six of 31 from beyond the arc.  The Warriors connected on six of 10 free throws, pulled down 29 rebounds, and scored 12 points off 12 Bullitt East turnovers.  Bullitt East held a 38-8 advantage in points scored in the paint.

Gracie Merkle led Bullitt East with 27 points, 21 rebounds, and five blocked shots.  Emma Egan added 13 points including four of five free throws, and eight rebounds.  5-9 So. Jada Hughes recorded eight points including four of four free throws, two assists, and two blocked shots.

Kaylee Young led Southwestern with 11 points including two three point baskets, seven rebounds, and three steals.  Ayden Smiddy added 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists.  Kinsley Molden recorded nine points including two three point baskets, three rebounds, and two assists. 

Bullitt East,19,9,17,21,66

Southwestern,5,9,8,20,42

Bullitt East (66) – Rogers 2, Ortega 2, Merkle 27, Reid 4, Egan 13, Curtsinger 2, Meeks 2, Ranalli 2, Lyons 3, Hughes 8, Mason 1.

Southwestern (42) – Noritis 0, Young 11, Acey 6, Molden 9, Smiddy 11, McDonald 3, Jones 2.

A special thanks to WL Stats for providing the comprehensive statistics for this game.