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Mercy shows none to No. 1 Marion County

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March 11, 2010

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Ellen Sholtes scored a team-high 16 points to help No. 6 Mercy upset No. 1 Marion County, 67-51, in the first round of the Sweet 16 girls’ basketball state tournament in Bowling Green.

The Jaguars (24-8) controlled the game against the Lady Knights (33-2), breaking the Marion County full court press effortlessly the entire game with timely passing.

“It was just an unbelievable, great effort by a great group of kids,” Mercy head coach Mark Evans said. “We were very comfortable against their press.”

After leading 32-29 at the half, Mercy opened the third quarter with a 14-4 run to extend its lead. Mercy never led by less than nine the rest of the way.

Kyvin Goodwin-Rogers paced Marion County with a game-high 18 points. Makayla Epps had 13 points and eight turnovers for the Lady Knights.

“Were disappointed in the outcome of course,” Marion County head coach Trent Milby said. “Give Mercy credit, they were on the attack from the start. They just wanted it more than we did tonight.”

Four players scored in double figures for the Jaguars, including Emily Goetz with 13 points, Juliann Miller with 12 points and Malisa Cruz with 10.

Clay Co. 70, Anderson Co. 55

Kayla Smith scored a team-high 14 points to help Clay County beat Anderson County 70-55 in the first round of the Kentucky girls’ high school tournament Wednesday night.

The 13th Region champion Lady Tigers (28-6) dominated the game from the opening tip, racing out to a 17-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and never trailing. After leading 34-21 at halftime, the 8th Region winner Lady Bearcats (20-9) used an 8-0 run to close out the third quarter and trim the Clay County lead to 49-38, but a late surge from the Lady Tigers sealed the victory.

The size of the Lady Tigers was the deciding factor in the game, with both of their forwards scoring in double figures and holding a 42-25 rebounding advantage.

MacKenzie Cann scored a game-high 20 points for Anderson County.

Clay County will play Rowan County on Friday in the second round.

Rowan Co. 47, Breathitt Co. 39

Natasha Kissinger played all 32 minutes and scored a game-high 17 points in Rowan County’s 47-39 victory over Breathitt County Wednesday night in the first round of the Kentucky girls’ high school tournament.

The Lady Vikings (21-8), the 16th Region champion, trailed the Lady Cats (22-8), the 14th Region winner, only once in the game, following a layup by Kendall Nobles that gave Breathitt County a 2-0 lead. Rowan County scored the next nine points and never looked back.

The Lady Cats were able to trim the Lady Viking lead to 36-32 midway through the fourth quarter, but a 3-pointer by Tierra Hamilton extended the Rowan County lead for good.

Nobles was the lone Breathitt County player in double figures with 21 points. Hamilton tacked on 13 points for Rowan County.

Rowan County will play Clay County on Friday.

Henderson Co. 62, Butler 54

Ariel Barnes scored a game-high 30 points to help Henderson County to a 62-54 victory over Butler in the first round of the Sweet 16 girls basketball state tournament in Bowling Green.

After playing to a 9-9 tie in the first three minutes of the game, the Lady Colonels (27-3) went on to take a 15-10 lead at the end of the first quarter and never trailed again.

Butler (21-9), the Sixth Region champions, battled back to within two in the final minute before Henderson County, the Second Region champion, sank six free throws.

Ellie Fruit was the only other Lady Colonel in double figures with 13 points. Aareon Smith paced Butler with 22 points.

Henderson County will play Mercy Friday at noon.




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