HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Erin Boley capped a banner day with a nearly flawless performance and helped the Elizabethtown High School girls basketball team set up a highly anticipated showdown Friday.
Boley hit 11 of 13 shots and finished with 27 points, seven rebounds and two blocks to lead the Panthers to a 63-36 victory over Henderson County on Thursday in the first round of the St. Elizabeth Healthcare/KHSAA Sweet 16 at BB&T Arena.
Earlier Thursday, Boley was named the Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year, becoming the state’s first player ever to win the honor in three consecutive seasons.
“She’s hard to handle,” Henderson County coach Jeff Haile said. “She can shoot the 3 and then come inside and muscle you around there, too. It’s hard to stop.”
Taylor Thomas added 10 points and six rebounds as E’town (30-4) – No. 1 in the state in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings – ran its winning streak to eight. Next up is Friday’s 8 p.m. quarterfinal game against No. 2 Butler (28-5).
E’town defeated Butler 60-37 on Dec. 23 in the championship game of the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic at Lexington Catholic as Boley posted 39 points and 10 rebounds.
“We played them earlier this year and kind of had our way, but I don’t put much stock in those games because you … don’t really game-plan,” Panthers coach Tim Mudd said. “It’s going to be a lot harder for Erin (on Friday). We’ll have to do a better job of screening and a better job of looking for her.”
E’town had little trouble Thursday, leading the entire game. The Panthers led 32-14 at halftime, won the rebounding battle 36-23 and shot 58.5 percent (24 of 41) for the contest.
Mikayla Gilbert had 12 points and six rebounds to lead Henderson County (18-10), which shot just 32 percent (16 of 50). That included a 1-for-18 clip from 3-point range.
“I thought the difference in the game was our defense,” Mudd said.
This marks the third straight year E’town has entered the Sweet 16 as the state’s No. 1 team. The Panthers lost to Butler in the 2014 championship game and last year lost to eventual champion Covington Holy Cross in the quarterfinals.
For all Boley has accomplished in her career, a state title has been elusive so far.
“Obviously this tournament means a lot to me, and I’m going to come out with everything I have in every game,” she said. “We’ve learned from past years that it doesn’t define our season to win a state championship, but I think we’re very excited about it and it’s been a goal since I started playing varsity at E’town.”
Mudd said Butler will provide a tough test Friday.
“I really think they’re probably playing as the best team in the state right now,” Mudd said. “They had the hardest road here, having to beat Mercy and Bullitt East just to get out of their region. … They’re as talented as anybody in the state.”
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.
HENDERSON COUNTY 6 8 7 15 – 36
ELIZABETHTOWN 14 18 18 13 – 63
Henderson County (18-10) – Lander 2, Gilbert 12, Owens 4, S. Carter 8, Chester 2, J. Carter 6, Scott 2.
Elizabethtown (30-4) – Boley 27, Deaton 2, Thomas 10, Stinson 9, Warden 6, Murphy 2, Pack 2, Hay 5.
3-point goals – Carter; Boley 2, Thomas, Stinson, Warden 2.