Peyton Acey's inside play worries McCracken County coach Scott Sivills. (Chris Zollner Photo)
McCracken County coach Scott Sivills knows one thing that 12th Region champion Southwestern does very well.
“They have shooters everywhere. We have got to get out on their shooters,” Sivills said. “They have a tremendous post player in (Peyton) Acey, a good point guard in (Ayden) Smiddy and the coach’s daughter (Kinsley Molden) is very good.”
McCracken and Southwestern play Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the state tournament at Rupp Arena. McCracken is 31-1 this season and has won 24 straight games since a December loss to Manual in the Queen of the Commonwealth at Bullitt East.
“It is all about confidence. After the (regional title) game I asked my daughter how many in a row we had won and she had no clue,” the coach said. “This team plays one game at a time and for a head coach, I love that. They also hate to lose. They fight for each other.
“They really don’t truly understand what they have done so far. It’s a historical season for our school.”
Junior Destiny Thomas averages 17.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, both team highs. She missed last season when McCracken made the First Region finals.
“She can score in multiple ways. She is about 6-1 and can play every position,” the McCracken coach said. “She is very long and athletic. She is a nightmare to figure out how to guard. She’s good at getting downhill, can post and we can pull her out and she can hit a 3. She has also made teammates around her better. She is one of the top kids in the Kentucky and is being recruited heavily now.”
Sivills believes he can put five college athletes on the floor, one reason he likes to create tempo and as many possessions as possible each game.
“We like to press a lot. We are going to get up and down the floor as much as possible,” he said.
Southwestern also plays well in transition but also doesn’t back away from a physical half-court game.
“Southwestern is very physical and the officials are going to allow you to play,” Sivills said. “I think our athleticism and height will be an advantage for us. We are also a very physical team.”
Southwestern coach Junior Molden said the Warriors will be prepared for either a transition or half-court game.
“We have had to learn to play both ways. We had to adapt this year,” Molden said. “I am concerned with their pressure and length.”
