2022KHSAAGG15

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

Sacred Heart Academy (36-3) vs. Bullitt East (33-5) (Championship)

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 12, 2022

Sacred Heart Academy coach Donna Moir started the following lineup: 6-0 Fr. ZaKiyah Johnson, 5-11 Sr. Josie Gilvin, 6-0 Sr. Alex Wolff, 5-7 Jr. Triniti Ralston, and 5-10 So. Reagan Bender.  Bullitt East coach Chris Stallings countered with 5-10 So. Anna Rodgers, 5-8 Sr. Emma Egan, 6-6 Sr. Gracie Merkle, 5-8 Jr. Lilly Reid, and 5-9 So. Jada Hughes. 

Sacred Heart Academy dialed up an excellent defensive performance tonight to earn the championship with a 64-46 victory over Bullitt East.  Sacred Heart shot 47.4% from the field including two of nine from the three point line.  The Valkyries connected on 26 of 36 free throws, pulled down 22 rebounds, and scored 31 points off 27 Bullitt East turnovers.  Bullitt East shot 36.7% from the field including one of eight from beyond the arc.  The Lady Chargers connected on 23 of 33 free throws, pulled down 26 rebounds, and scored 20 points off 17 Sacred Heart turnovers.

Reagan Bender led Sacred Heart Academy with 16 points including five of six free throws and two rebounds.  Josie Gilvin added 15 points including seven of eight free throws, nine rebounds, six assists, two blocked shots, and four steals.  ZaKiyah Johnson recorded 12 points including seven of eight free throws, three rebounds, and two assists.  6-3 So. Angelina Pelalayo chipped in with 10 points, two rebounds, two blocked shots, and two steals.  Triniti Ralston recorded nine points and two assists.

Gracie Merkle led Bullitt East with 24 points including 12 of 16 free throws, eight rebounds, two blocked shots, and four steals.  Jada Hughes added 11 points including five of six free throws, three rebounds, and two steals.  Emma Egan recorded five points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Sacred Heart Academy,20,18,12,14,64

Bullitt East,10,13,12,11,46

Sacred Heart Academy (64) – Johnson 12, Gilvin 15, Wolff 2, Ralston 9, Bender 16, Pelayo 10.

Bullitt East (46) – Rodgers 3, Egan 5, Merkle 24, Reid 0, Hughes 11, Ortega 1, Mason 2.

All-Tournament Teams and Awards – Sweet Sixteen® Academic Scholarship 1,000  Lauren Boggs (Letcher County Central), JB Mansfield Award 1,000 Olivia Lovan (Sacred Heart Academy) All-Tournament Team – Patience Laster (Franklin County), Peyton Bradley (Meade County), Saniyah Shelton (Bowling Green), Ciara Byars (George Rogers Clark), Kinsley Molden (Southwestern), Makayla Noritis (Southwestern), Liz Freihofer (Cooper), Whitney Lind (Cooper), Emma Egan (Bullitt East), Gracie Merkle (Bullitt East), Lilly Reid (Bullitt East), Josie Gilvin (Sacred Heart Academy), Triniti Ralston (Sacred Heart Academy), and Most Valuable Player ZaKiyah Johnson (Sacred Heart Academy).

A special thanks to WL Stats and the KHSAA for providing comprehensive statistics, coverage, and updated for this event.

2022KHSAAGG14

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

Sacred Heart Academy (35-3) vs. Cooper (25-10) (Semifinal)

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 12, 2022

Sacred Heart Academy coach Donna Moir started the following lineup: 6-0 Fr. ZaKiyah Johnson, 5-11 Sr. Josie Gilvin, 6-0 Sr. Alex Wolff, 5-7 Jr. Triniti Ralston, and 5-10 So. Reagan Bender.  Cooper coach Justin Holthaus countered with 6-0 So. Logan Luebbers-Palmer, 5-10 So. Liz Freihofer, 6-2 Jr. Whitney Lind, 5-5 Sr. Jessee Luebbers-Palmer, and 5-8 Jr. Kay Freihofer.

Sacred Heart dominated in the paint (38-12) in a 50-29 victory over Cooper today.  Sacred Heart Academy shot 51,2% from the field including zero of six from the three point line.  The Valkyries connected on eight of nine free throws, pulled down 25 rebounds, and scored 18 points off 14 Cooper turnovers.  Cooper shot 21,1% from the field including one of 14 from beyond the arc.  The Lady Jaguars connected on 12 of 12 free throws, pulled down 22 rebounds, and scored 10 points off 11 Sacred Heart Academy turnovers.

ZaKiyah Johnson led Sacred Heart with 21 points and three rebounds.  Triniti Ralston added 10 points including four of four free throws, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals.  Josie Gilvin recorded six points, three rebounds, five assists, and four steals. 

Liz Freihofer led Cooper with 14 points including six of six free throws and three rebounds.  Whitney Lind added eight points including six of six free throws and five rebounds.

Sacred Heart Academy,10,16,10,14,50

Cooper,7,4,8,10,29

Sacred Heart Academy (50) – Johnson 21, Gilvin 6, Wolff 4, Ralston 10, Bender 5, Russell 2, Pelayo 2.

Cooper (29) – L. Luebbers-Palmer 3, L. Freihofer 14, Lind 8, J. Luebbers-Palmer 0, K. Freihofer 4.

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

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.

2022KHSAAGG12

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

Sacred Heart Academy  (34-3) vs. George Rogers Clark (31-3) (Quarterfinal)

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 11, 2022

Sacred Heart Academy coach Donna Moir started the following lineup: 6-0 Fr. ZaKiyah Johnson, 5-11 Sr. Josie Gilvin, 6-0 Sr. Alex Wolff, 5-7 Jr. Triniti Ralston, and 5-10 So. Reagan Bender.  George Rogers Clark coach Robbie Graham countered with 6-1 Fr. Ciara Byars, 5-11 Jr. Brianna Byars, 5-10 Sr. Tyra Flowers, 5-0 7^th Grade Kennedy Stamper, and 5-8 Sr. Asja-Li Garrard.

Sacred Heart Academy trailed 24-22 at halftime but pulled away in the second half for a 59-40 victory over George Rogers Clark.  Sacred Hear Academy shot 46.7% from the field including two of eight from the three point line.  The Valkyries connected on 15 of 20 free throws, pulled down 23 rebounds, and scored 27 points off 21 George Rogers Clark turnovers.  George Rogers Clark shot 38.2% from the field including three of 12 from beyond the arc.  The Lady Cardinals connected on 11 of 18 free throws, pulled down 26 rebounds, and scored seven points off nine Sacred Heart turnovers.

Triniti Ralston led Sacred Heart Academy with 22 points including six of seven free throws, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.  ZaKiyah Johnson added 18 points including two three point baskets, six of six free throws, five rebounds, and two blocked shots. 

Brianna Byars led George Rogers Clark with 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists.  Ciara Byars added seven points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots.  Tyra Flowers recorded seven points, three rebounds, and two assists.  Kennedy Stamper chipped in with seven points including two three point baskets, three rebounds, and three assists.

Sacred Heart Academy,8,14,21,16,59

George Rogers Clark,14,10,11,5,40

Sacred Heart Academy (59) – Johnson 18, Gilvin 4, Wolff 2, Ralston 22, Bender 7, Kaufman 1, Russell 1, Pelayo 4.

George Rogers Clark (40) – C. Byars 7, B. Byars 13, Flowers 7, Stamper 7, Garrard 1, Gay 3, Goodwin 2.

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

2022KHSAAGG11

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

Bowling Green (29-8) vs. Cooper (25-9) (Quarterfinal)

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 11, 2022

Bowling Green coach Calvin Head started the following lineup: 5-11 Jr. Meadow Tisdale, 5-10 Jr. Saniyah Shelton, 5-11 Sr. LynKaylah James, 5-3 Sr. Emma Huskey, and 5-8 Jr. Tanaya Bailey.  Cooper coach Justin Holthaus connected on 6-0 So. Logan Luebbers-Palmer, 5-10 So. Liz Freihofer, 6-2 Jr. Whitney Lind, 5-5 Sr. Jessee  Luebbers-Palmer, and 5-8 Jr. Kay Freihofer.

Cooper defeated Bowling Green 55-47 in a game in which both teams combined for 67 free throws and were whistled for 43 fouls.  Bowling Green lost three starters (LynKaylah James, Meadow Tisdale, and Tanaya Bailey).  Cooper shot 41.7% from the field including two of 13 from the three point line.  The Lady Jaguars connected on 23 of 35 free throws, pulled down 29 rebounds, and scored 15 points off 13 Bowling Green turnovers.  Bowling Green shot 38.2% from the field including one of nine from beyond the arc.  The Purples connected on 20 of 32 free throws, pulled down 25 rebounds, and scored 17 points off 14 Cooper turnovers.

Liz Freihofer led Cooper with 20 points including 20 points including six of six from the field, eight of nine from the free throw line, four rebounds, and three assists.  Whitney Lind added 19 points including eight of 14 free throws, and seven rebounds.  Kay Freihofer recorded 11 points and five rebounds.

Tanaya Bailey led Bowling Green with 17 points including five of seven free throws.  LynKaylah James added 11 points and seven rebounds.  Meadow Tisdale recorded seven points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocked shots..  Saniyah Shelton added six points, nine rebounds, and two steals. 

Bowling Green,6,11,13,17,47

Cooper,14,12,12,17,55

Bowling Green (47) – Tisdale 7, Shelton 6, James 11, Huskey 0, Bailey 17, Franklin 6.

Cooper (55) – L. Luebbers-Palmer 2, L. Freihofer 20, Lind 19, J. Luebbers-Palmer 0, K. Freihofer 11, Noel 3.

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

2022KHSAAGG10

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

Meade County (28-7) vs. Bullitt East (32-4) (Quarterfinal)

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 11, 2022

Meade County coach Dina Hackert started the following lineup: 5-8 So. Annabelle Babb, 5-5 Sr. Aubrey Hardesty, 5-10 Jr. Katie Durbin, 5-4 Jr. Mattie Clanton, and 5-9 Fr. Peyton Bradley.  Bullitt East coach Chris Stallings countered with 5-10 So.Anna Rodgers, 5-0 So. Jada Hughes, 6-6 Sr. Gracie Merkle, 5-8 Jr. Lilly Reid, and 5-8 Sr. Emma Egan.

Bullitt East outscored Meade County 20-9 in the first quarter on their way to a 62-47 victor over the Lady Waves.  Bullitt East shot 60% from the field including two of four from the three point line.  The Lady Chargers connected on 12 of 33 free throws, pulled down 33 rebounds, and scored seven points off nine Meade County turnovers.  Meade County shot 34% from the field including seven of 21 from beyond the arc.  The Lady Waves connected on eight of 10 free throws, pulled down 19 rebounds, and scored four points off eight Bullitt East turnovers.  Bullitt East held a 44-6 advantage in points in the paint.

Gracie Merkle led Bullitt East with 34 points, 11 rebounds, three blocked shots, and two steals.  Lilly Reid added 12 points including two three point baskets, three rebounds, and five assists.  Emma Egan recorded seven points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. 

Peyton Bradley led Meade County with 14 points including seven of eight free throws, two rebounds, and two assists.  5-10 Jr. Sage Crawley added 12 points including two three point baskets, three rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots.  Aubrey Hardesty recorded nine points, three rebounds, and three assists.

Meade County,9,13,16,9,47

Bullitt East,20,17,13,12,62

Meade County (47) – Babb 3, Hardesty 9, Durbin 6, Clanton 0, Bradley 14, Medley 3, Crawley 12.

Bullitt East (62) – Rodgers 0, Hughes 6, Merkle 34, Reid 12, Egan 7, Tinelli 1, Ortega 2.

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

2022KHSAAGG9A

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

Franklin County (28-8) vs. Southwestern (27-7) (Quarterfinal

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 11, 2022

Franklin County coach Joey Thacker started the following lineup: 6-0 Jr. Jazmin Chambers, 5-10 Sr. Patience Laster, 6-4 Jr. Jhaven Meade, 5-5 Sr. Nevaeh Carter, and 5-7 Fr. Cameryn Ridderikhoff.  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.

The score was tied 35-35 after three quarters but Southwestern pulled away in the final quarter for a 47-40 victory over Franklin County.  The win may have been costly for the Warriors as Makayla Noritis who had been having an excellent tournament went down with an ankle sprain in the closing seconds of the game.  The score was tied nine times and there were nine lead changes in this game.  Southwestern shot 35.3% from the field including six of 23 from the three point line.  The Warriors connected on five of eight free throws, pulled down 31 rebounds, and scored 17 points on 10 Franklin County turnovers.  Franklin County shot 29.7% from the field including two of 17 from beyond the arc.  The Lady Flyers connected on 16 of 21 free throws, pulled down 32 rebounds, and scored two points off four Southwestern  turnovers.

Makayla Noritis led Southwestern with 17 points and eight rebounds.  Kinsley Molden added 14 points including three three point baskets, six rebounds, and three assists.  Payton Acey recorded eight points, four rebounds, and two assists. 

Patience Laster led Franklin County with 14 points including six of six free throws, and seven rebounds.  Jhaven Meade added nine points and four rebounds.  Jazmin Chambers recorded seven points on seven of 11 free throws, three rebounds, and two assists.  Nevaeh Carter chipped in with five points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Franklin County,12,13,10,5,40

Southwestern,7,18,10,12,47

Franklin County (40) – Chambers 7, Laster 14, Meade 9, Carter 5, Ridderikhoff 0, Hogan 3, Frazee 2.

Southwestern (47) – Noritis 17, Young 4, Acey 8, Molden 14, Smiddy 4.

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

2022KHSAAGG8

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

Anderson County (30-5) (Region 8) vs. Sacred Heart Academy (33-3) (Region 7)

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 10, 2022

Anderson County coach Clay Birdwhistell started the following lineup: 6-0 Sr. Paige Serafini, 5-11 Fr. Lainey Johnson, 6-1 Sr. Jacie Chesser, 5-7 So. Jenna Satterly, and 5-11 Sr. Amiya Jenkins.  Sacred Heart Academy coach Donna Moir countered with 6-0 Fr. ZaKiyah Johnson, 5-11 Sr. Josie Gilvin, 6-0 Sr. Alex Wolff, 5-7 Jr. Triniti Ralston, and 5-10 So. Reagan Bender.

Sacred Heart Academy led 20-19 at halftime and outscored Anderson County 19-8 in the third quarter on their way to a 48-38 victory.  There were two ties and six lead changes in this game.  Sacred Heart Academy shot 45% from the field including three of 13 from the three point line.  The Valkyries connected on nine of 13 free throws, pulled down 21 rebounds, and scored 19 points off 23 Anderson County turnovers.  Anderson County shot 34.3% from the field including four of 19 from beyond the arc.  The Lady Bearcats connected on 10 of 12 free throws, pulled down 25 rebounds, and scored eight points off 13 Sacred Heart Academy turnovers.

ZaKiyah Johnson led Sacred Heart Academy with 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.  Reagan Bender added 13 points.  Josie Gilvin recorded eight points, three rebounds, five assists, and three steals.  Triniti Ralston chipped in with five points, four rebounds, and seven assists.

Paige Serafini led Anderson County with 18 points including two three point baskets, four of four free throws, and two rebounds.  Amiya Jenkins added 12 points including six of eight free throws, three rebounds, and three assists.  Lainey Johnson recorded six points, seven rebounds, two assists, and four steals.

Anderson County,3,16,8,11,38

Sacred Heart Academy,12,8,19,9,48

Anderson County (38) – Serafini 18, Johnson 6, Chesser 2, Satterly 0, Jenkins 12.

Sacred Heart Academy (48) – Johnson 16, Gilvin 8, Wolff 6, Ralston 5, Bender 13.

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

2022KHSAAGG7

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

George Rogers Clark (31-2) (Region 10) vs. Corbin (25-7) (Region 13)

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 10, 2022

George Rogers Clark coach Robbie Graham started the following lineup: 6-1 Fr. Ciara Byars, 5-11 Jr. Brianna Byars, 5-10 Sr. Tyra Flowers, 5-0 7^th Grade Kennedy Stamper, and 5-8 Sr. Asia-Li Garrard.  Corbin coach Isaac D. Wilson countered with 5-8 So. Darcie Anderson, 5-7 Fr. Raegan Walker, 5-9 Sr. Shelby Stewart, 5-7 So. Kallie Housley, and 5-7 So. Bailey Stewart.

George Rogers Clark defeated Corbin by the score of 42-35.  There were two ties and six lead changes in the game.  GRC shot 34.2% from the field including four of 11 from the three point line.  The Lady Cardinals connected on 12 of 22 free throws, pulled down 41 rebounds, and scored four points off 11 Corbin turnovers.  Corbin shot 27.1% from the field including three of 15 from beyond the arc.  The Lady Redhounds connected on six of seven free throws, pulled down 25 rebounds, and scored 11 points off 19 GRC turnovers.

Ciara Byars led GRC with 21 points, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots.  Kennedy Stamper added 10 points including two three point baskets and 10 rebounds.  Tyra Flowers recorded three points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and three blocked shots.

Darcie Anderson led Corbin with 13 points, two rebounds, and two steals.  Kallie Housley added 10 points.  Shelby Stewart recorded eight points, five rebounds, and two steals.

George Rogers Clark,13,5,12,12,42

Corbin,10,6,5,14,35

George Rogers Clark (42) – C. Byars 21, B. Byars 2, Flowers 3, Stamper 10, Garrard 1, Gay 5.

Corbin (35) – Anderson 13, Walker 2, S. Stewart 8, Housley 10, B. Stewart 2.

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

2022KHSAAGG6

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

Cooper (24-9) (Region 9) vs. Pikeville (31-3) (Region 15)

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 10, 2022

Cooper coach Justin Holthaus started the following lineup: 6-0 So. Logan Luebbers-Palmer, 5-10 So. Liz Freihofer, 6-2 Jr. Whitney Lind, 5-5 Sr. Jessee Luebbers-Palmer, and 5-8 Jr. Kay Freihofer.  Pikeville coach Kristy Orem countered with 5-6 So. Rylee Theiss, 5-6 So. Kyera Thornsbury, 5-9 Sr. Kylie Hall, 5-2 Sr. Emma Ratliff, and 5-5 So. Trinity Rowe.

Cooper pulled away in the second half to defeat Pikeville by the score of 57-37.  Cooper shot 38.1% from the field including three of 13 from the three point line.  The Lady Jaguars connected on 22 of 26 free throws, pulled down 26 rebounds, and scored 22 points off 17 Pikeville turnovers.  Pikeville shot 48.5% from the field including three of eight from beyond the arc.  The Lady Panthers connected on two of two free throws, pulled down 17 rebounds, and scored seven points off seven Cooper turnovers.

Logan Luebbers-Palmer led Cooper with 22 points including two three point baskets, eight of eight free throws and four rebounds.  Whitney Lind added 17 points including seven of eight free throws, three rebounds, and three assists.  Liz Freihofer recorded nine rebounds, five rebounds, four assists, and five steals.  Kay Freihofer pulled down eight rebounds.

Kyera Thornsbury led Pikeville with 15 points, two rebounds, and two assists.  Trinity Rowe added seven points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Cooper,19,10,11,17,57

Pikeville,14,8,5,10,37

Cooper (57) – L. Luebbers-Palmer 22, L. Freihofer 9, Lind 17, J. Luebbers-Palmer 4, K. Freihofer 3, Alexander 2.

Pikeville (37) – Theiss 2, Thornsbury 15, Hall 0, Ratliff 4, Rowe 7, L. Jackson 6, Whited 3.

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