Bethlehem vs. Bullitt East (Sweet 16® Round 1) Predictions/Updates

[Runcible Owl]

The third ranked Banshees meet the eighth ranked Lady Chargers in the 2:00 game at Rupp.

Please post predictions and updates here.

The coaches from @Big Things Kentucky asked which game we like the most today. For me, this one. 

[Runcible Owl]

This game is what Kentucky high school basketball is all about come tournament time.

Small school Bethlehem (250 students) vs. Big school Bullitt East (1453).

A Ms. Basketball candidate, senior Ella Thompson vs. a rising star junior, Gracie Merkle.

[Runcible Owl]

Both teams played challenging schedules:

Bethlehem (25-4) played three teams in this year's Sweet 16 and three ranked #1 at some point during the season. The Banshees also captured their second straight All "A" Classic title.

Bullitt East (22-2) faced two teams in the tournament, and four ranked teams throughout the year. It's two losses, to then #1 Ryle and #7 Bardstown, came with Merkle sidelined by injury.

[Runcible Owl]

Starting lineups:

Bethlehem - Ella Thompson, Amelia Hodges, Carlie Thurmond, Emma Filiatreau, and Kasey Spalding.

Bullitt East - Gracie Merkle, Emma Egan, Lilly Reid, Lexi Start, and Reagan Reid.

[Runcible Owl]

Hodges puts Bethlehem up 3-0.

[Runcible Owl]

Egan 2 x FT

3-2 Banshees

[Runcible Owl]

6'6" Merkle with a block.

[Runcible Owl]

8-5 BE

Q1 3:27

[Runcible Owl]

12-7 Bullitt East

Current shooting ~

Hot: Lady Chargers

Not: Banshees

 

[Runcible Owl]

Thurman 3 

[Runcible Owl]

Banshees +1

Q1

1:02

[Runcible Owl]

Lilly Reid 3 puts BE up.

[Runcible Owl]

End of Q1

Bullitt East 14

Bethlehem 13

[Runcible Owl]

BE's Emma Egan had 8 pts to lead all scorers.

[Runcible Owl]

Pace has picked up.

This is a really, really good game.