Anderson County coach Clay Birdwhistell knows his team faces a big test against Butler in the state tournament matchup Wednesday night. (Les Nicholson Photo)
Anderson County coach Clay Birdwhistell has his team on a 14-game winning streak going into Wednesday night’s game in Rupp Arena against Butler in the girls state tournament.
“The commitment our kids had in the offseason to get better and get back here was really special,” said the Anderson coach.
Senior point guard Jenna Satterly and junior guard Lainey Johnson lead the Bearcats (32-2). Johnson averaged 19.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from 3 (65 of 182) and 77 percent at the foul line. Satterly adds 18.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 52 percent from the field (46 of 102 from 3) and 86.8 percent at the foul line. She averages almost seven free throws per game (197 of 227).
“I think Jenna might be the most underrated player in the state,” Birdwhistell said. “Johnson is a two-time 8th Region player of the year. The two together are special. As long as we win, they do not care who gets what. They are the biggest fans of each other. There’s no hint of jealousy. They even go on vacations together.”
Johnson had similar offensive numbers last season but Satterly is averaging about six points more per game.
“Her (Satterly) efficiency numbers are off the chart. As a point guard she is our all-time leading free throw shooter,” the Anderson coach said. “She has the ability to get to the rim and get fouled at a high level. She also guards the other team’s best player almost every night. From 1 to 4, she will check that player.”
Butler (26-8) is led by 6-5 Kentucky signee Ramiya White who averages 11.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. She shoots 56 percent from the field.
“Butler, they are big. Their center is literally almost a foot taller than mine,” the Anderson coach said. “The Knight kid is really good.”
That is 6-1 Mariah Knight, a transfer from Louisville Christian Academy, who averages 15.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. She is a 49 percent shooter from the field.
Butler first-year coach Candyce Wheeler said White’s conditioning and play ability have both improved this season.
“I wanted her to get in better condition so she could play longer,” Wheeler said. “I told her I wanted to run the offense through her. She didn’t get a lot of touches (last year). At 6-4 she was not utilized enough and got bored a lot. She has blossomed and I look forward to her future at UK. I hope she plans to stick it out (after coach Kyra Elzy was fired Monday) and sees what will happen.”
Wheeler said Knight is a “true gym rat” and has provided needed leadership on and off the court.
“She has been a Godsend for us here at Butler,” Wheeler said.
Birdwhistell said players like Johnson and Satterly who develop their skills over time are the God-send for Anderson.
“They were the middle school kids on the first one (8th Region champion) in 2020. Now seventh-grader Ellie Shouse is her. The world she is going to live in will be developed by the ones she is watching now,” Birdwhistell said. “We don’t typically out-athlete people. We have to develop and that’s not something that happens quickly.”
