By Jim Mashek, Sporting Times
The Bowling Green girls basketball team has enjoyed considerable success under fourth-year head coach Calvin Head.
The Lady Purples qualified for the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen in March of 2020, but they never got to take the court at Rupp Arena because the COVID-19 public health crisis brought the season to a halt.
They’ve been pining to get back, and on Wednesday, Bowling Green will finally get their chance when the Lady Purples (18-10) square off with Bishop Brossart (21-5) in a first-round play of the Sweet Sixteen. The game will tip off at 1 p.m. CDT.
“We’re really excited about playing in the state tournament,” BGHS sophomore forward Meadow Tisdale said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
Bowling Green had a team breakfast on Tuesday before leaving for Lexington. The Lady Purples’ game plan will be focused on Bishop Brossart center Marie Kiefer, a 6-foot-3 senior bound for Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
Kiefer averages a team-high 20.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per game for the Lady Mustangs, but Head cautions that she has plenty of capable teammates — particularly on the offensive end of the floor.
“We’ve got a great opportunity in front of us,” Head said. “The girls are excited. Bishop Brossart is very good.
The Kiefer girl gets a lot of attention, but they all can shoot it pretty well.
“We’ve got to stay engaged defensively.”
The Lady Purples punched their ticket to Rupp with a workmanlike 49-38 victory over Barren County on March 28 at E.A. Diddle Arena. Brossart, meanwhile, has won 10 of its last 11 games, including an impressive 61-47 win over Montgomery County in the KHSAA 10th Region title game.
Bowling Green has won 10 straight after enduring a four-game skid in February.
Tisdale and junior center LynKaylah James will likely be paired against Kiefer defensively, as Head prefers a man-to-man approach rather than playing a zone. James averages a game-high 16.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, with Tisdale checking in with 214.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest.
The Lady Purples are at their best when they emphasize shot selection. They’re shooting 43.5 percent from the field, and 29.1 percent from 3-point range. Sophomore guard/forward Tanaya Bailey and junior point guard Emma Huskey have returned from injuries to give BGHS some balance, offensively.
Tisdale is likely to be matched up against Kiefer when BGHS and the Lady Mustangs take the floor at Rupp.
“It’s a huge responsibility, defensively,” Head said. “Meadow’s up for the challenge.”
Tisdale agreed.
“We just have to have defensive discipline, communicate on defense,” Tisdale said. “I’ve got to stay on my feet, stay out of foul trouble.”
The winner of Wednesday’s game will advance to quarterfinal play, and face either Sacred Heart (21-7) or Knott County Central (20-7) at 10 a.m. CDT Friday. Like last week’s KHSAA boys tournament, the Sweet Sixteen champion will need two victories on Saturday to claim the state title.
“I think the break was good for our girls,” Head said. “We had some kids who had to tend to some injuries. Health is important. Mental toughness.
“They’re more of a half-court team than we are. Our kids have to lean on their preparation and trust their teammates.”
