The Winchester Sun: Winchester, KY

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Prep Basketball: Marion County favored to win girls Sweet Sixteen
By The Associated Press
March 10, 2010

BOWLING GREEN — There’s one big question facing the field at this week’s Kentucky High School Athletic Association girls’ Sweet 16: Can anyone beat Marion County?

The No. 1 Knights (33-1) are the consensus pick to take home the title at the girls’ basketball tournament that tips off today at Western Kentucky University’s Diddle Arena in Bowling Green.

“Marion County is the overwhelming favorite,” Clay County coach James Burchell said.

The Knights are unbeaten against in-state competition this season and have outscored their opponents by an average of 27.6 points per game.

The young, yet talented team is led by freshman guard Makayla Epps, freshman forward Kyvin Goodin-Rogers and sophomore guard Bre Elder. Epps is the daughter of former Kentucky standout Anthony Epps, a Knights assistant coach, and Goodin-Rogers is the daughter of former Louisville player Tick Rogers.

“Even though we are young, they have a lot of experience on the varsity level,” Knights coach Trent Milby said. “Hopefully we play really good basketball, and we will see what happens, ... (but) it will not be easy.”

Marion County meets No. 5 Mercy (23-8) in the tournament’s second game Wednesday afternoon. The Jaguars lost to No. 2 DuPont Manual in 25th District final but rebounded to win the always-difficult Seventh Region. Their balanced attack is led by junior guard Juliann Miller.

The first game of the tournament pits No. 10 Henderson County (26-3) against Butler (21-8), the 2008 state champ.

Henderson County, making its sixth straight trip to the Sweet 16, is led by senior guard Ariel Barnes. The Bearettes are led by freshman forward Aareon Smith.

In Wednesday evening’s first game, the Rowan County Vikings (20-8) will battle the Breathitt County Bobcats (22-7).

The Vikings, making their third appearance in a row, are led by senior guard-forward Natasha Kissinger. The Bobcats, who have won 16 of their last 17 games, are led by sophomore guard Kendall Noble.

In the first day’s final game, Clay County (27-6) meets Anderson County (20-8).

Thursday’s first game pits the No. 4 Bowling Green Purples (28-2) against the No. 8 Boone County Rebels (27-3).

The Purples, who are making their first Sweet 16 appearance, have won 23 in a row and are led by senior guard Erica Smith. Meanwhile the Rebels, who rank second in the state in rebounding, are led by sophomore forward Sydney Moss, the daughter of NFL wide receiver Randy Moss.

In Thursday’s second game, the Scott County Cardinals (23-6) will battle the Belfry Pirates (23-7).

The Cardinals are led by junior guard Kristen Stainback and senior guard Madisen Webb. The Pirates have won 12 of their last 13 games and are led by junior guard Jillnell Bevins.

The Murray Tigers (30-4) will meet the No. 7 Rockcastle County Rockets (27-4) in Thursday evening’s first game.

The Tigers, who have won eight in a row, are led by sophomore guard Haley Armstrong. The Rockets, who have won 17 of their last 18, are led by junior forward Sara Hammond.

In the final first-round game, George Rogers Clark (18-10) battles Ohio County (24-7).

Ohio County coach Ted Hill has a theory about the eventual champion.

“It will take a team that is quick to adjust to the different styles of play that you run into at the state tournament,” Hill said. “It will be those who make the changes on the run and are just mentally tough who win it all on Saturday night.”

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