HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Jynea Harris scored 18 points to lead the Holmes High School girls basketball team to a 49-35 victory over Russell on Wednesday in the first round of the St. Elizabeth Healthcare/KHSAA Sweet 16 at BB&T Arena.
Holmes hit just 6 of 21 shots (28.6 percent) in the first half but still led 21-10 at halftime. Four of the Bulldogs’ field goals in the first half were 3-pointers.
“We’re a good defensive team usually,” Holmes coach Tony Perkins said. “The thing we do well is get in transition and make plays, but we had several transition shots we didn’t make in the first half. We had a chance to blow it open and just missed shots.’
The Bulldogs (29-4) – No. 9 in the state in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings – hit 12 of 21 shots (57.1 percent) to keep Russell at bay. Holmes will face No. 4 Mercer County in Friday’s 1:30 p.m. quarterfinal.
Maggie Jachimczuk had 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks to lead the Red Devils (26-9).
RUSSELL 6 4 11 14 – 35
HOLMES 14 7 13 15 – 49
Russell (26-9) – Maynard 3, Jachimczuk 13, Mitchell 3, Darnell 10, Michael 4, Ross 2.
Holmes (29-4) – Englemon 9, Brown 10, Johnson 2, Harris 18, Stovall 7, Graham 3.
3-point goals – Maynard, Mitchell, Darnell, Michael; Englemon, Harris 2, Stovall 2, Graham.