(from Courier Journal) Mecheal Guess isn't the player on a talent-laden Manual High School girls' basketball team that many would have picked to be the team's leading scorer.

 

But after 20 games, coach Stacy Pendleton said, the 5-foot-11 junior is averaging three or four points more than anyone else on the team.

 

And she did it again Wednesday.

 

Guess had 17 points and eight rebounds and came through in the clutch as the Crimsons downed Butler 63-45 in the Republic Bank/Coca-Cola Louisville Invitational Tournament at Bellarmine University.

 

“I told people before the season she would be our leading scorer, and nobody believed me,” Pendleton said. “She's not the name people know, but she's the blue-collar kid, and she gets it done. She's a good one.”

 

Guess, also a standout volleyball player, scored nine points in the second half as Manual pulled away.

 

The Crimsons (16-4), No.2 in The Courier-Journal's Litkenhous Ratings, led only 26-23 at halftime even though Butler (13-7) missed its first 10 shots.

 

But Manual turned up the defensive intensity in the third quarter, and Guess ignited a 13-0 run to open the period with two baskets and two steals.

 

“Defense was the change in the game,” Guess said. “We started playing defense, and our offense and everything else was better after that.”

 

Manual led by 20 points late in the game and coasted into the quarterfinals.

 

The Crimsons will play North Hardin (8-11) in Friday's 4p.m. quarterfinal. Manual has won the LIT three times and was considered a slight favorite coming into the event as the highest-ranked team.

 

“We're not overlooking anybody, but we want this bad,” Pendleton said. “This is a big goal of ours as a team.”

 

Guess hit 8of13 shots and had two steals, two blocked shots and two assists.

 

“If you look at all our kids and all the big names, she's just not the one people talk about,” Pendleton said. “But she works so hard, gives us a great post presence and is jet quick.”

 

Leasia Wright added 12 points for Manual, and Kara Wright scored 11. April Wilson — considered the state's top sophomore — had 10 points and four assists.

 

The Crimsons hit 24of59 shots and 12of21 free throws but were outrebounded 38-34.

 

Butler, which turned the ball over 31 times, was led by Moriah Corey's 12 points and 14 rebounds. The Bearettes hit just 13of40 shots and 19of26 free throws.

(from Courier Journal) Mecheal Guess isn't the player on a talent-laden Manual High School girls' basketball team that many would have picked to be the team's leading scorer.

 

But after 20 games, coach Stacy Pendleton said, the 5-foot-11 junior is averaging three or four points more than anyone else on the team.

 

And she did it again Wednesday.

 

Guess had 17 points and eight rebounds and came through in the clutch as the Crimsons downed Butler 63-45 in the Republic Bank/Coca-Cola Louisville Invitational Tournament at Bellarmine University.

 

“I told people before the season she would be our leading scorer, and nobody believed me,” Pendleton said. “She's not the name people know, but she's the blue-collar kid, and she gets it done. She's a good one.”

 

Guess, also a standout volleyball player, scored nine points in the second half as Manual pulled away.

 

The Crimsons (16-4), No.2 in The Courier-Journal's Litkenhous Ratings, led only 26-23 at halftime even though Butler (13-7) missed its first 10 shots.

 

But Manual turned up the defensive intensity in the third quarter, and Guess ignited a 13-0 run to open the period with two baskets and two steals.

 

“Defense was the change in the game,” Guess said. “We started playing defense, and our offense and everything else was better after that.”

 

Manual led by 20 points late in the game and coasted into the quarterfinals.

 

The Crimsons will play North Hardin (8-11) in Friday's 4p.m. quarterfinal. Manual has won the LIT three times and was considered a slight favorite coming into the event as the highest-ranked team.

 

“We're not overlooking anybody, but we want this bad,” Pendleton said. “This is a big goal of ours as a team.”

 

Guess hit 8of13 shots and had two steals, two blocked shots and two assists.

 

“If you look at all our kids and all the big names, she's just not the one people talk about,” Pendleton said. “But she works so hard, gives us a great post presence and is jet quick.”

 

Leasia Wright added 12 points for Manual, and Kara Wright scored 11. April Wilson — considered the state's top sophomore — had 10 points and four assists.

 

The Crimsons hit 24of59 shots and 12of21 free throws but were outrebounded 38-34.

 

Butler, which turned the ball over 31 times, was led by Moriah Corey's 12 points and 14 rebounds. The Bearettes hit just 13of40 shots and 19of26 free throws.

Does anyone know if Whitney Reed is gone for the season for Butler or just a while? Any details from Butler supporters- I thought she was a tremendous talent.

Kicked off the team. Disagreed with the coach on his philosophy.