After a 10-year drought, the Barren County girls’ basketball team will play Tuesday for a regional title.
Behind a dominant 71-41 win over Logan County on Monday night in the Region 4 Tournament semifinals at E.A. Diddle Arena, the Trojanettes – champions of District 15 – have earned a spot in the regional final for the first time since 2009.
“It’s really exciting – especially with the seniors that we have this year,” Barren County guard Elizabeth Bertram said. “It’s a big deal. Barren County hasn’t been this far in a long time and to be here is exciting. We’re ready for the championship game tomorrow.”
Barren County (30-4) will meet Bowling Green (26-7) at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the championship game. The Trojanettes won the regular-season meeting over the Lady Purples, 59-53, on Feb. 4.
The winner will punch their ticket to the Girls’ Sweet Sixteen, which begins March 13 at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
The Trojanettes jumped out to a 20-5 lead after the opening quarter and extended their advantage to 42-18 at halftime. They later took a 55-30 lead into the fourth and were able to cruise through the final eight minutes en route to the lopsided victory.
“I thought we did really, really well running in transition,” Barren County coach Piper Lindsey said. “That was one of our keys from the start to run and finish and sprint in transition. I thought our defense was excellent, which helped us rebound the basketball and get out early and quick. I thought our guards did a good job of finding the open person, and I thought we did a good job finishing.”
Elizabeth Bertram finished with a game-high 16 points for Barren County, while Bailey Pedigo nearly recorded a triple-double with 12 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Eve Jackson tallied 11 points, and McKenzie England rounded out the Trojanettes’ stat sheet with 10 points and 9 boards.
BCHS shot 29-of-57 (50.9 percent) from the field, recorded 21 assists and finished with a 42-18 advantage in points in the paint.
Paige Vanzant paced Logan County (22-11) with 9 points in its season-ending defeat.
LCHS – 5 13 12 11 — 41
BCHS – 20 22 13 16 — 71
LC – Paige Vanzant 9, Alvis 7, Bingham 6, Hale 6, Nichols 5, White 3, Peyton Vanzant 3, Page 2.
BC – Bertram 16, B. Pedigo 12, Jackson 11, England 10, Ennis 7, M. Pedigo 6, Delk 4, Rice 3, Bush 2.
Bowling Green beats Glasgow, advances to title game
For the fourth time in five seasons, the Bowling Green girls’ basketball team will be playing for a regional championship.
Taking on Glasgow in the semifinals of the Region 4 Tournament on Monday night at E.A. Diddle Arena, the Lady Purples – champions of District 14 – earned a 65-56 win to earn another trip to the regional final.
Bowling Green (26-7), which is the defending Region 4 champion, will meet Barren County (30-4) at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the championship game. The Trojanettes won the regular-season meeting over the Lady Purples, 59-53, on Feb. 4.
“At the end of the day, we’ve just gotta go play basketball,” Bowling Green coach Calvin Head said. “We’re gonna do what we do and try and be the best version of ourselves as possible tomorrow night. It’s our last time playing in Bowling Green for the season, so we’re gonna try and go out with a bang.”
The winner will punch their ticket to the Girls’ Sweet Sixteen, which begins March 13 at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
“Big challenge. Big challenge,” Head said of Tuesday’s matchup. “They’ve been predicted to win the region all season – and rightfully so. They’re a really good basketball team. They’re well balanced, have three perimeter scorers and (McKenzie) England’s on a tear right now.
“We’re gonna go and get some rest and try and prepare a little bit overnight and after school. We’re just gonna come play hard. Hopefully the gym is full tomorrow watching two really good basketball teams go at it.”
The Lady Purples built an 18-5 lead after the opening quarter and took a 32-21 advantage into the locker room at halftime. They later went up 48-38 after three and were able to stay in front throughout the final eight minutes.
T’Alla Brown finished with a game-high 21 points to lead BGHS, while Taylor Ragland scored 17 and Saniyah Shelton added 10. The Lady Purples shot 22-of-52 (42.3 percent) from the field, forced the Lady Scotties to commit 21 turnovers and turned those takeaways into 26 points.
“Our philosophy tonight was to really try to get after it defensively and try and keep the tempo up,” Head said. “I thought we did a really good job of that. 21 turnovers and I think 26 points or so, and that’s an advantage for us when we’re able to do that.”
Anzley Adwell paced Glasgow (21-10) with 16 points in its season-ending defeat.
“I’m proud of my kids. They fought really, really hard for 32 minutes,” Glasgow coach Justin Stinson said. “That’s what we asked them to do. It just wasn’t in the cards for us tonight.”
GHS – 5 16 17 18 — 56
BGHS – 18 14 16 17 — 65
GHS – Adwell 16, Hughes 13, Gore 10, Lee 7, Page 7, Bradley 3.
BG – Brown 21, Ragland 17, Shelton 10, K. Jones 7, L. Jones 4, Tisdale 4, Gray 2.
