GAME 8: OWENSBORO CATHOLIC VS. HARLAN, 8 P.M. THURSDAY
OWENSBORO CATHOLIC
* Coach: Michael Robertson.
* Record: 30-5.
* Nickname: Aces.
* Location: Owensboro.
* Region: Third.
* Enrollment: 446.
* Litkenhous Rating: 97.4
* Sweet 16 trips: Fifth (1-4).
* Last trip to State: 2013 (lost to Manual 78-69 in quarterfinals).
* What to look for: With three scorers averaging double figures, the Aces are balanced. “We have seven or eight players who can come in and contribute,” Robertson said. “We really share the ball. It’s hard to guard us. We like to press and push the ball.”
* Key player: The Aces are led by Bellarmine University signee Mikayla Berry (15.2 ppg), who has more than 1,700 career points. “She’s a solid offense player and really sees the floor well,” Robertson said. On the season, she has drained 65 3-pointers. The second-leading scorer is another Bellarmine signee, Annabel Moore (13.5 ppg). She will play soccer for the Knights.
* Coach-speak: Owensboro Catholic owns a stellar 28-2 record against Kentucky schools, losing twice to Murray. “We’d love to get another chance to play them,” Robertson said. If they both advance past the first round, they would meet in the quarterfinals.
STARTERS
10-Mikayla Berry
5-7, Sr., 15.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg
12-Emily Marshall
5-8, Sr., 6.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg
25-Caroline Hayden
5-10, Sr., 10.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg
32-Ellie Mitchell
5-9, So., 6.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg
22-Annabel Moore
5-10, Sr., 13.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg
KEY RESERVES
34-MacKenzie Keelin
6-0, Fr., 4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg
24-Sarah Clemens
6-0, Fr., 1.7 ppg, 1.0 rpg
20-Katelin Maggard
5-5, Jr., 1.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg.
HARLAN
* Coach: Derrick Akal.
* Record: 27-4
* Nickname: Dragons.
* Location: Harlan.
* Region: 13th.
* Enrollment: 210.
* Litkenhous Rating: 89.8.
* Sweet 16 trips: Fourth (2-3).
* Last trip to State: 1999 (lost to Shelby County 66-56 in quarterfinals).
* What to look for: The Dragons love to push the ball and shoot from the perimeter. Of their total shots taken, almost 40 percent come from beyond the 3-point arc. Akal said everyone on the floor has the green light to shoot the 3-pointer. And they make them. Harlan hits more than 37 percent of their 3-pointers, fourth-best percentage in the state.
* Key player: Harlan is led by a pair of solid shooters — Jordan Brock (19.6 ppg) and Brooklynn Massingill. The 5-foot-5 Brock is undecided on a college, but Akal said she’s a NCAA Division I shooter. “She’s a fierce competitor,” he said.
* Coach-speak: Harlan, winner of 70 games over the last three seasons, has lost to Owensboro Catholic in the last two All “A” Classic state tournaments, and neither game was close. “We’re looking for some redemption,” Akal said. “If all our girls play well, we can play with Owensboro Catholic.”
STARTERS
00-Jordan Brock
5-5, Jr., 19.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg
20-Emma Bianchi
5-10, Jr., 8.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg
25-Brooklyn Massingill
5-5 Sr. 15.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg
31-McKenzie King
5-9, So., 7.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg
33-Katie King
5-8, Sr., 1.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg
KEY RESERVES
22-Taylor Simpson
5-6, So., 2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg
23-Brandi Haywood
5-10, So., 0.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg
-Kenzie Winstead