2022KHSAAGG3

2022 Mingua Beef Jerky Girls’ Sweet 16® State Basketball Tournament

Southwestern (26-7) (Region 12) vs. McCracken County (31-2) (Region 1)

Rupp Arena

Lexington, KY

March 9, 2022

Southwestern coach Junior Molden started the following lineup: 5-11 Sr. Makayla Noritis, 5-10 Jr. Kaylee Young, 6-1 So. Payton Acey, 5-6 Fr. Kinsley Molden, and 5-7 Jr. Ayden Smiddy.  McCracken County Scott Sivills Jr. countered with 6-0 Jr. Caroline Sivills, 6-0 So. Destiny Thomas, 6-0 Sr. Shymiya Daye, 5-9 So. Claire Johnson, and 5-11 So. Mikee Buchanan.

The score was tied 29-29 at halftime but Southwestern buoyed by their three point attack outscored McCracken County 18-9 in the third quarter on their way to a 67-56 victory.  There were eight ties and 11 lead changes in this game.  Southwestern shot 51.2% from the field including 10 of 20 from the three point line.  The Warriors connected on 13 of 20 free throws, pulled down 35 rebounds, and scored six points off 11 McCracken County turnovers.  McCracken County shot 32.8% from the field including three of 10 from beyond the arc.  The Lady Mustangs connected on 15 of 21 free throws, pulled down 32 rebounds, and scored 19 points off 18 Southwestern turnovers.

Payton Acey led a balanced Southwestern scoring attack with 16 points including two three point baskets, four of five free throws, eight rebounds, two assists, four blocked shots, and three steals.  Makayla Noritis added 15 points, seven rebounds, and three blocked shots.  Kinsley Molden recorded 15 points including three three point baskets.  Ayden Smiddy chipped in with 11 points including three three point baskets, five rebounds, and six assists.  Kaylee Young added seven points, six rebounds, and six assists.

Destiny Thomas led McCracken County with 22 points including eight of nine free throws, nine rebounds, three assists, and five steals.  Caroline Sivills added 11 points and seven rebounds.  Claire Johnson recorded 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals.  Mikee Buchanan chipped in with seven points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Southwestern,18,11,18,20,67

McCracken County,15,14,9,18,56

Southwestern (67) – Noritis 15, Young 7, Acey 16, Molden 15, Smiddy 11, Nelson 3.

McCracken County (56) – Sivills 11, Thomas 22, Daye 5, Johnson 10, Buchanan 7, Green 1.

A special thanks to WL Stats for providing the comprehensive statistics for this game.