2022BESHEG

Bullitt East vs. Sacred Heart Academy (Girls)

Louisville Invitation Tournament (Championship)

Valley High School

Louisville, KY

January 30, 2022

Bullitt East coach Chris Stallings started the following lineup: 5-10 So. Anna Rodgers, 5-8 Jr. Lilly Reid, 6-6 Sr. Gracie Merkle, 5-8 Jr. Logan Ortega, and 5-8 Sr. Emma Egan. Sacred Heart Academy coach Donna Moir countered with 6-0 Fr. ZaKiyah Johnson, 5-11 Sr. Josie Gilvin, 6-0 Sr. Alex Wolff, 5-8 Jr. Triniti Ralston, and 5-10 So. Reagan Bender.

Bullitt East defeated Sacred Heart Academy 58-56 in overtime to capture the prestigious L.I.T. title.  Bullitt East jumped out to a 14-3 first quarter lead but to no one’s surprise Sacred Heart fought back and it was a hotly contested contest the rest of the way with four lead changes and four ties in the game.  Bullitt East shot 47.6% from the field including three of seven from the three point line.  The Lady Chargers connected on 15 of 24 free throws, pulled down 32 rebounds, and scored 16 points off 19 Sacred Heart turnovers.  Sacred Heart Academy shot 29.6% from the field including two of 19 from beyond the arc.  The Valkyries connected on 22 of 34 free throws, pulled down 42 rebounds, and scored 17 points off 25 Bullitt East turnovers.

Gracie Merkle led Bullitt East with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocked shots.  Anna Rodgers added 13 points including two three point baskets and three rebounds.  Emma Egan recorded 12 points including five of seven free throws, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.  Lilly Reid chipped in with 12 points and five rebounds.

ZaKiyah Johnson led Sacred Heart Academy with 23 points including nine of 11 free throws, 14 rebounds, two blocked shots, and two steals.  Triniti Ralston added 16 points including eight of nine free throws, three assists, and five steals.  6-3 So. Angelina Pelayo recorded five points and eight rebounds.  Josie Gilvin added five points, 12 rebounds, two blocked shots, and three steals. 

Bullitt East,16,13,8,12,9,58

Sacred Heart Academy,8,17,11,13,7,56

Bullitt East (58) – Rodgers 13, Reid 12, Merkle 17, Ortega 2, Egan 12, Tinelli 2.

Sacred Heart Academy (56) – Johnson 23, Gilvin 5, Wolff 0, Ralston 16, Bender 2, Kaufman 3, Pelayo 5, Russell 2.

A special thanks to Bob Tonini of Sacred Heart Academy for providing the comprehensive statistics for this game.