Meade County freshman Peyton Bradley had 21 points and five rebounds against Boyd County. (Les Nicholson Photo)
One nice thing about the state high school basketball tournament is that sometimes it gives a relatively unknown player a chance to make a big name. Bullitt East junior guard Lilly Reid did just that Wednesday in a 67-50 win over Bethlehem, the team that eliminated Bullitt East in the opening round in Rupp Arena last year.
Reid went 8-for-12 from the field, including 3-for-5 from 3-point range, and had 21 points, four rebounds, two steals and two assists.
“To me, Reid was the difference maker. We had a game plan to try and make them shoot the ball outside. We were hoping they would shoot out there so (Gracie) Merkle would not get the ball,” said Bethlehem coach Jason Clark.
However, he was not counting on Reid — a 20 percent 3-pointer shooter averaging 9.4 points per game— doing what she did from long range, especially in the third quarter when Bullitt East expanded a lead even with the 6-5 Merkel — who had 24 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks — on the bench in foul trouble.
“Reid drove well and shot well,” Clark said. “She just played a great game.”
Bethlehem junior standout Emma Filiatreau, who had 14 points and five rebounds, often had the task of trying to stop Merkel. Bethlehem tried to double or even triple team here before having to abandon that late to try and catch the Chargers.
“It’s a lot harder to get backside help in man (defense),” Filiatreau said.
Reid’s toughness made an impact on the game on both ends but she obviously remembered last year’s state loss well and the fact that Bullitt East did not get a chance to play Bethlehem during the regular season.
“It was good to be able to play them. We had unfinished business,” Reid said. “We were the better team (last year).”
So what about Meade County, the team that rallied to beat Boyd County and will face Bullitt East Friday in the quarterfinals? Bullitt East beat Meade 69-65 in overtime on Feb. 7.
“They are scrappy. They play good defense. I think it will be a good game,” Reid said.
Bullitt East coach Chris Stallings feels Reid is “overlooked” in the Louisville area because there are so many good guards.
“I was proud of her even this summer,” Stallings said. “I think she has a very bright future. I think being here the last two years helped her confidence. That experience really paid off today.”
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Meade County was completely overmatched by Boyd County in the first half in the state tournament’s opening game and trailed 29-16 at halftime before rallying to win 56-43 behind 23 points from freshman Peyton Bradley, the state’s top 3-point shooter.
Meade outscored Boyd 22-6 in the fourth quarter and Bradley went 8-for-8 at the foul line. Overall he was 5-for-13 from the field but 4-for-8 from 3 and 9-for-10 at the foul line.
Meade was 15-for-17 at the foul line and Boyd 15-for-19.
Meade coach Dina Hackert was not surprised her team overcame a 16-point deficit with its defensive pressure. “I love the run and jump defense,” she said. “It’s a big win for these kids. They don’t get rattled. I cannot say enough about the resiliency of our kids.”
Bradley, who said playing at Rupp Arena was a “dream come true” because she grew up a UK fan, had what Hackert called a “typical” game.
“She is patient. Sometimes almost too patient,” the coach said. “Peyton is our finisher at the free throw line. In the regional final she had four points going to the fourth quarter and made 14 of 16 free throws.
“Her maturity is rare for her age to let the game take its place and do what we need to do to finish. Sometimes Peyton will say I was too hard on her when she was young.”
Maybe that’s because Hackert wanted Meade to get back to the state tourney like it did in 1985 and 1986 when she was a player at Meade.
“I cannot say enough about our fans. I am moved to tears. There is something great about being in a rural area,” Hackert said. “I am proud of our kids but more grateful for the community and seeing these kids do something for the community. It’s a super incredible moment for all of Meade County.”
