By Jim Mashek – Sporting Times reporter
GLASGOW — Meadow Tisdale was keeping the Bowling Green High School girls within striking distance of homestanding Barren County.
And then, with three minutes and change left in the third quarter, Tisdale hit the floor.
Hard.
The Lady Purples’ sophomore standout had injured her right ankle and clearly was in agony on the court. Tisdale was helped off the court, and spent the rest of the game in the training room. Barren County never trailed and pulled away for an impressive 53-41 victory on Monday night.
“Meadow is never hurt,” BGHS coach Calvin Head said afterward. “We really don’t know much right now. We had some opening night jitters. Yes, we did. We have a lot of kids playing more meaningful minutes than they did last year.”
The game was a rematch of last year’s KHSAA Region 4 championship tilt at E.A. Diddle Arena. Tisdale had perhaps the best game of her BGHS career as the Lady Purples stopped Barren County 58-48.
Tisdale left the gym on crutches but mentioned to a reporter that she thought she’d be OK before long.
Tisdale left the gym on crutches but mentioned to a reporter that she thought she’d be OK before long.
BGHS boys coach D.G. Sherrill, back on the bench after a two-year hiatus, admitted Tisdale’s injury left his squad in a somber mood. Northern Kentucky signee Isaiah Mason scored a game-high 25 points as the Purples soundly defeated Barren County 65-40.
“Yeah, it was tough,” Sherrill said. “Meadow’s a great kid. You just hope for the best for her.”
Barren County coach Piper Lindsey expressed similar sentiments, but she was pleased with her squad’s tenacity in the full-court press, as the Trojanettes forced 21 BGHS turnovers.
“I thought our kids were very unselfish and did a great job of sharing the ball,” Lindsey said. “They had a chance to make a couple runs and our defense was able to turn it back. That’s something you’re looking for, on opening night. Our kids played really hard.”
Mary Lockhart and Raven Ennis led the Trojanettes with 12 points each, and teammates Addison London and Katie Murphy each finished with 10.
BGHS center LynKaylah James had a strong presence under the boards and led the Lady Purples with 25 points. Teammate Ava Bennett finished with 10.
