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Written by Jason Frakes
The Courier-Journal

The first of what could be three meetings this season between the Manual and Marion County girls’ basketball teams — which are 1-2 in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings — is set for Saturday.

The 6:30 p.m. game is part of the Autism Awareness Classic at Marion County. It’s the sixth of seven games in the event, which includes boys’ and girls’ teams.

“It’s two unbelievably good teams, and we’re excited to be playing in it because it’s a great cause,” Manual coach Stacy Pendleton said. “We’ll get to see how we match up against another really good team.”

Manual (15-1) suffered its first defeat Tuesday, 67-65 at No. 5 Mercy.

“It doesn’t hurt so much that we lost now,” Pendleton said. “But I told the girls that if we do this in March — if we shoot poorly and don’t play great defense — that our season will be over. I think they kind of got the point.”

Marion County (13-2) is undefeated against Kentucky competition, with both losses coming to California teams. The Lady Knights are led by senior Bre Elder (Dayton signee) and junior Makayla Epps and Kyvin Goodin-Rogers, both of whom have committed to the University of Louisville.

The teams met in last season’s Sweet 16 semifinals, with Manual winning 56-54. They could face each other again this season in the Louisville Invitational Tournament and the Sweet 16.

Here’s the Autism Awareness Classic schedule:

Green County vs. Mercer County (girls), 11 a.m.; Bullitt Central vs. Spencer County (boys), 12:30 p.m.; Washington County vs. Wayne County (girls), 2; North Hardin vs. Mercy (girls), 3:30; Bardstown vs. Frankfort (boys), 5; Manual vs. Marion County (girls), 6:30; Central Hardin vs. Marion County (boys), 8