[kyprepfan0622]

Jody Demling – Courier Journal
Manual wins LexCath girls’ tournament
Posted on December 24, 2011 by Jody Demling

Eight times the eventual girls’ Sweet 16 champion has played in the Republic Bank Classic at Lexington Catholic prior to Christmas.

Six times since 2000 the Kentucky state champion has won the title.

If that number reaches seven this season then Manual coach Stacy Pendleton is going to be a happy camper after his team socked Mercy with a 69-53 win in the championship game on Friday night. Manual is ranked No. 1 and Mercy No. 4 statewide.

Maine signee Lauren Bodine led the Lady Crimsons in the final with 16 points, including 4 of 6 three-pointers. Kara Wright had 14, while April Wilson (photo) and Kayla Styles added 13 apiece. Wilson, a Purdue signee, also had four assists and four steals.

Manual hit 25 of 55 from the field, including 8 of 9 three-pointers.

Wilson was named the MVP of the tournament.

In the loss, Northern Kentucky signee Courtney Roush had 13 points and 17 rebounds. Whitney Hartlage added 17 points.

It wouldn’t be a shock to see both teams at the Sweet 16.

Here are other highlights from the final day:

• Manual romped over Ballard in the semifinals with Wilson having a monster game. She 25 points, seven steals, five assists and five rebounds. Leasia Wright added 15 points and Kara Wright chipped in 13 for Manual. Tabitha Mitchell also had 10 for the Lady Crimsons, who hit 9 of 15 three-pointers.

• In a semifinal win over Lexington Catholic, Christine Roush led Mercy with 14 points and six rebounds, while Hartlage had 10. Makenzie Stilger came off the bench to hit 3 of 4 three-pointers for nine points. In the loss, Octavia Wilson had 16. She’s proving to be a very solid and much improved junior guard.

• Xavier signee Jenna Crittendon had 10 points and six rebounds to lead Ryle past Butler in a low-scoring game. Junior Aareon Smith was tops for Butler with eight points and six rebounds.

• St. Joseph’s from West Virginia beat Christian Academy as Griffin Dempsey hit 8 of 12 three-pointers and had 31 points for the Lady Irish. In the loss, junior China Dow was 8 of 25 from the field and had 25 points and seven rebounds.

• Megan Pittman, considered one of the top seniors in the state, finished 11 of 13 from the field, including 3 of 3 on three-pointers as Casey County edged Sacred Heart in overtime. She had 32 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and four steals and scored her 2,000th career point during the contest. DaiJian Ruffin led Sacred Heart with 20 points.

• After a triple-double on Thursday, freshman Nora Kiesler had 14 points, 18 rebounds and seven blocked shots as Assumption beat Central. Nikcoa Jackson had 15 for Central.

• Tereka Guyn scored on a putback at the buzzer as Scott County beat Assumption. Guyn had 10 points and eight rebounds. Katie Friedrich had 15 for Assumption, while freshman Nora Keisler added 12 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots

• Hart County beat Seneca as Lexee Wilson hit 11 of 13 free throws and led the Lady Raiders with 20 points. Sabrina Jackson had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Seneca, while Niya Anderson added 12 and Kearra Pennie had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

• Audrianna Christopher had 20 points and Guyn added 17 points and 14 rebounds in an earlier game as Scott County downed Boyd County.

• Mary Kate Clemens scored 21 as Owensboro Catholic edged East Carter, which got 25 from Megan Stickler.

• Madison Clements had 21 and Caylan Bybee added 17 as Monroe County won the Silver Bracket Division title with a victory over Simon Kenton.

http://blogs.courier-journal.com/jodydem...ng+blog%29

[lillianhidgepork]

Manual is one of the cockiest teams I have ever saw play. I cant believe the coach lets them get away with it. They have a date in three weeks that will tell the tell....