[Stardust]

BOWLING GREEN, KY. — Consistently ranked among Kentucky’s top programs over the past three decades, the Manual High School girls’ basketball program finally can hang a state championship banner.

After having missed last year’s state tournament with a broken hand, senior April Wilson carried her team down the stretch and helped deliver a 58-54 win over Marion County in Saturday night’s final of the Houchens Industries/KHSAA Sweet 16.

A crowd of 4,370 in E.A. Diddle Arena saw a game that lived up to its billing, with Manual at No. 1 in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings and Marion County at No. 2.

The Lady Crimsons (37-2) were in the state semifinals for the third time in five years but entered with an 0-2 all-time record in finals, including a 62-60 overtime loss to Rockcastle County last year.

Eighth-year Manual coach Stacy Pendleton couldn’t hide his joy after Saturday’s victory.

“I’m always half nuts, but I’m full nuts now, buddy,” said Pendleton, whose team finished the season with a 22-game winning streak. “I’m going to cut them nets down, hang it around my neck, and I’m going to stroke that trophy all night long.”

Wilson, a Purdue signee and one of five finalists for Kentucky’s Miss Basketball award, hit 4 of 8 three-point tries and scored 23 points on her way to tournament MVP honors. LeAsia Wright had 21 points and six rebounds, and Kayla Styles chipped in nine points and nine rebounds.

Junior Makayla Epps, who has committed to the University of Louisville, led Marion County (34-5) with 23 points and three steals. It marked the third straight year Marion County ended the Sweet 16 with a loss to a Louisville squad, having lost to Mercy in the first round in 2010 and to Manual 56-54 in last year’s semifinals.

“I figured it would come down to the last quarter,” said Lady Knights coach Trent Milby, whose team finished 1-2 against Manual this season. “We fought back from halftime and got the lead, and then it was back and forth and back and forth. Offensive rebounds killed us, and you have to give (Manual) credit for that.