Lawrence County falls to Sacred Heart in Girls’ Sweet 16

Lawrence County senior guard Kensley Feltner was honored as the 15th Region Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year during the Girls’ Sweet 16. Photo courtesy of Lawrence County High School Girls’ Basketball

STAFF REPORT

BSN

LEXINGTON — Lawrence County fared well early but faltered as two-time defending champion Sacred Heart pulled away to win 70-33 in the first round of the KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena on Wednesday, March 8.

Sacred Heart outscored Lawrence County 10-6 in the opening quarter. But the Lady Bulldogs pushed the state tournament frontrunner throughout the game, pulling even with Sacred Heart at 18-18 with less than three minutes remaining in the second quarter.

However, Sacred Heart answered, ending the first half on an 11-0 run to lead 29-18 at halftime.

Extending its lead after the break, Sacred Heart outscored Lawrence County 23-8 in the third quarter.

Lawrence County head coach Melinda Feltner was honored as the 15th Region Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year during the Girls’ Sweet 16. Photo courtesy of Lawrence County High School Girls’ Basketball

Sacred Heart shot 58.8 percent (30-of-51) from the field. The Valkyries shot 33.3 percent (four-of-12) from three-point range.

Sacred Heart shot 54.5 percent (six-of-11) from the free throw line.

Reagan Bender scored 24 points to lead Sacred Heart to the win. Joining Bender in double figures for Sacred Heart, ZaKiyah Johnson scored 21 points and Angelina Pelayo netted 14 points.

Contributing to Sacred Heart’s offensive attack, Claire Russell added five points, Emi-Lee Howe contributed four points and Triniti Ralston chipped in two points.

Lawrence County finished 12-of-65 from the field. The Lady Bulldogs connected on only three of 17 three-point field goal attempts.

However, Lawrence County shot 85.7 percent (six-of-seven) from the free throw line.

Kensley Feltner scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Lady Bulldogs.

In addition to Feltner reaching double figures for Lawrence County, Sophie Adkins netted 11 points and hauled in eight rebounds.

Denting the scoring column, Abby Nelson (four points), Leandra Curnutte (three points) and Kaison Ward (one point) aided Lawrence County offensively in the state tournament matchup.

Following the loss, Lawrence County ended its 2022-23 season 30-6.

In the other first round games in the KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament, it was Owensboro Catholic 54, Bowling Green 51; George Rogers Clark 51, Mercer County 43; North Laurel 59, Frederick Douglass 57; Ashland Blazer 46, Knott County Central 34; McCracken County 71, Bethlehem 41; Mercy 70, Cooper 64 and Henderson County 56, Simon Kenton 54.