Kentucky drops doubleheader in Owensboro

OWENSBORO — For the reason that Indiana-Kentucky All-Star basketball collection started in 1940, Indiana has held the benefit. That was once more the case Friday night time after the Kentucky girls and boys basketball All-Stars have been swept of their doubleheader with their Hoosier State foes at Owensboro Sportscenter. 

The ladies kicked off the night time with a back-and-forth sport that will’ve went Kentucky’s method had it ended 10 seconds earlier. Within the boys sport, Indiana did not give Kentucky an opportunity and got here away with a double-digit blowout. 

Each squads will face off once more Saturday at Southport Excessive College in Indianapolis, beginning with the ladies at 5 p.m. Kentucky will hope to finish the collection on a excessive notice. Here is how Indiana struck first Friday night time:

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Ladies: Indiana 67, Kentucky 66 

Almost three months after they battled for a KHSAA state championship, Sacred Coronary heart’s Josie Gilvin and Bullitt East’s Gracie Merkle shared the court docket as soon as once more however this time as teammates. 

“When she was at Sacred Coronary heart and I performed her I actually did not speak to her,” Merkle stated. “However now developing right here and speaking to her, she’s actually cool and really pleasant. She’s all the time coming to me and serving to me out once I do not perceive stuff.”

Expert gamers in their very own proper, seniors Gilvin and Merkle showcased how effectively their skills meshed in Kentucky’s 67-66 loss to Indiana on Friday. 

They mixed for 28 factors and 21 rebounds, wanting like they’d performed collectively many occasions earlier than. Gilvin’s high-energy, fight-for-every-inch type of play led to straightforward baskets for Merkle. With Indiana keying in on Merkle, it opened up Gilvin’s alternatives to attain. 

“It is nice enjoying together with her as a result of she will be able to get the rebound for me and I can lob it up for her,” Gilvin stated. “And I haven’t got to protect her both.” 

Though it is good to share the ground with a roster filled with proficient gamers, Gilvin admitted it isn’t straightforward to discover a groove. It was sufficient, nonetheless, to carry a one-point lead with 10 seconds to play.

However Indiana had different plans. Westfield’s Alyssa Crockett, a Michigan commit, banked within the game-winning shot with 2.3 seconds left.

“We wanted a number of higher passes and fewer turnovers,” Gilvin stated. “What we want tomorrow is excessive power.” 

Gilvin and Merkle consider if Kentucky can clear up its turnovers and preserve its power then it will maintain the benefit in Saturday’s rematch. 

“We’re not going to be like that tomorrow,” Gilvin stated. “We will end robust and everybody’s going to pitch in after they can.” 

Extra: Meet Handbook’s Alexandra Allen, The Courier Journal’s Athlete of the Week

Indiana             9        15         22        20      –     67

Kentucky         10        14        20        21       –   66

Indiana: Jessica Carrothers 12, Ashlyn Taylor 12, Tanyuel Welch 13, Zoe Stewart 4, Alyssa Crockett 6, Hopen Fox 2, Lilly Stoddard 7, Ally Madden 7, Olivia Smith 4 

Kentucky: Amiya Jenkins 16, Jaileyah Cotton 8, Josie Gilvin 14, Gracie Merkle 14, Cassidy Rowe 8, Monica Lindsey 6

Boys: Indiana 104 , Kentucky 77

Oldham County’s Sam Powell walked out of the locker room with a dejected look on his face. Dropping by 27 by no means feels good, particularly when its your first Kentucky-Indiana All-Star sport, however straight away, Powell noticed one thing that brightened his temper. 

“Can now we have your autograpgh?” Two younger followers requested Powell with their notepads outstretched. 

Powell’s first sport as a Kentucky All-Star did not go as deliberate. Regardless of dropping 17 factors off the bench, second most on the crew, it did little to maintain Indiana from beating Kentucky 104-77. 

However Powell was nonetheless in a position to replicate on the privilege of representing Kentucky within the sport.

“For those who have been to inform me freshman 12 months that I would be ready like this it’d simply be surreal to me,” Powell stated. “Simply understanding the onerous work I put in actually paid off and simply having the ability to share the ground with all these nice guys across the stage is humbling.”  

Indiana took management of the sport shortly. Led by Indiana recruit C.J. Gunn (20 factors) and South Florida pledge Ryan Conwell (18 factors), Indiana punished Kentucky within the paint. Indiana scored 30 factors off Kentucky’s 20 complete turnovers and carried a snug 20-point lead into the locker room. 

Kentucky did not give up, however no one exterior of Powell and Covington Catholic’s Mitchell Rylee (24 factors) may get scorching. Kentucky struggled to get the deficit underneath 20 factors your complete second half.

Powell believes Kentucky can be taught rather a lot from Friday’s loss and can even the rating Saturday. 

“We simply have to lock in on the defensive finish,” Powell stated. “With all this expertise on one crew some guys aren’t going to get there pictures, so we have to get to the fellows which are scorching and be taught to play from there.” 

Indiana           48        56      –   104 

Kentucky       28        49      –     77

Indiana: Peter Suder 11, Ryan Conwell 18, Jalen Jackson 4, Jaxon Edwards 10, Javen Buchanan 11, C.J. Gunn 20, Travis Grayson 12, Amhad Jarrad 8, Brande Northern 10 

Kentucky: Turner Buttry 7, Jaiden Lawrence 3, Andrew Mason 2, Mitchell Rylee 24, Jabrion Spikes 5, James Jewell 2, Keno Hayden 3, Sam Powell 17, Darien Lewis 3, Jay Milburn 4, Cade Stinnett 4, Gavin Stevens 3  

Comply with Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for extra updates on Louisville prep sports activities.