[Stardust]

Derek Willis will call Rupp Arena his basketball home in a couple years, but it was more like a haunted house for the Bullitt East star on Wednesday night.

The 6-foot-9 junior, who has committed to Kentucky, had a miserable time dealing with the frightening Louisville Trinity defense as the No. 1 Shamrocks beat Bullitt East 52-32.

Willis was 3-for-15 shooting and had eight turnovers. He did have 13 rebounds, but it still added up to a night to forget.

"It was frustrating," he said. "When I tried to post up, another guy would leak off and help on me, I didn't know what to do."

Trinity rotated thick-bodied DeMarcus Page and Craig Owens, and super quick James Quick on Willis.

"Page is a football player and a physical kid, and Craig Owens is, too," Willis said.

Bullitt East Coach Troy Barr said he thought last week's 6th Region finals against Pleasure Ridge Park was the most physical game he'd seen, but this Trinity game was a close second.

"Derek got beat to death in the PRP game," Barr said. "If I watched the PRP film, I'd do the same thing. If the refs are going to let you beat on him, I'd say let's do it until they call it. It's got to be frustrating for Derek. I'm proud of him for the class he showed in not reacting."

Now that the Chargers' season is done, Willis can follow UK in the NCAA Tournament. He said he hopes to be in the KFC Yum Center to watch the Cats play Western Kentucky on Thursday.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/03/14/21104...rylink=cpy