Bishop Brossart likely knows what folks from Ashland to Augusta to Alexandria are thinking.
The Lady ‘Stangs are surely aware that Kentucky high school basketball fans don’t think they have much chance of dethroning three-time defending girls 10th Region champion George Rogers Clark.
Those who go to school at 4 Grove Street in Alexandria believe otherwise. Brossart earned its shot at shocking the Commonwealth of Kentucky with Friday’s 58-45 semifinal win over Bracken County at Campbell County Middle School.
The Lady ‘Stangs and Cardinals get together at 7 p.m. Saturday, but Friday was an opportunity to savor their shot at the first regional title since winning in 2021.
“I told them, enjoy this, go home and rest,” Brossart coach Steve Brown said. “We’ve got a chance to play, to go to Rupp Arena (Saturday). We’ll show up and play.”
A freshman paced the Lady ‘Stangs – Kylie Smith led all scorers with 21 points. Brown said Smith knows where to go and what to do most of the time.
“Kylie was Kylie,” Brown said. “She’s very savvy for her grade.”
Smith credited playing in summer AAU tournaments. As for taking on GRC …
“As a team, we’ve just got to come out strong, like we always do,” Smith said. “Our defense has to be on point, like it always is – just pressure the ball, look to push as a team.”
Smith was far from the only contributor. Zoee Meyers and Greylee Kramer each scored 11, including three 3-pointers apiece.
Friday was the first time Brossart and Bracken County have met in the regional tournament since 2022. The Lady ‘Stangs have dominated the series – the Polar Bears lost their fourth since 1999 (2009, 2015 and 2016), including a 57-29 defeat on Feb. 14 in Alexandria.
Sometimes, Bracken County (23-11) gave up the middle of its defense. An early example: Smith’s layup late in the first quarter, a play in which she passed up a 3-point attempt and saw a clear path to the basket for a 15-9 lead.
Polar Bears coach Troy Archibald, meanwhile, bemoaned a shortage of rebounds.
“I’m pretty sure it was single figures the first half,” he said. “Normally, we’re a good rebounding team.”
What Brossart didn’t do as well was containing the Polar Bears’ Kailey Sharp and Nicole Archibald; they scored 16 and 10 points, respectively, and Sharp’s 12-footer whittled Brossart’s early lead to 12-9.
One of the first things Brossart Brown praised was his team’s perimeter passing in its 5-out and 4-out, 1-in offenses.
“Actually, they both kind of worked to get what we wanted,” Brown said.
Said precision gave the Lady ‘Stangs a 15-9 lead after one when Kremer hit a right-wing 3 at the buzzer.
Meyers, Smith and Kramer combined for eight points for a 23-14 Lady ‘Stang lead midway through the second quarter. What almost went unnoticed was Hadley Eviston’s block, which ultimately led to Kramer’s left-wing 3 off Rachel Shewmaker’s assist.
Brossart (26-7) took a 26-14 halftime lead on Meyers’ 3 (Smith served the assist).
Bracken County never came closer than nine points the rest of the game. Shewmaker’s bucket put Brossart ahead, 38-21, midway through the third frame.
After the Polar Bears closed to 54-43 on Sharp’s layup, Coach Archibald earned a technical foul when officials called a kicked ball by Brossart. Smith hit the resulting two free throws.
Whatever happens Saturday, Brown will fondly recall the season.
“We’ve had a tremendous year,” he said. “Our work stands on its own. We’re a pretty decent team, too, but I don’t know if we’re at (GRC’s) level, but we’ll find out.’
LADY ‘STANGS 58, POLAR BEARS 45
BRACKEN COUNTY — 9-5-16-15 – 45
BISHOP BROSSART — 15-11-18-14 – 58
Bracken Co. (45) — Archibald 10, Johnson 2, Sharp 16, Kelsch 7, Burton 2, Bauer 8. 3-Pt. FG: 3 (Sharp 3). FT: 9-11. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. Technical Foul: Bracken County coach Troy Archibald.
Bishop Brossart (58) — Eviston 6, Woosley 2, Smith 21, Z. Meyers 11, Shewmaker 7, Kramer 11. 3-Pt. FG: 6 (Kramer 3, Z. Meyers 3). FT: 12-16. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Smith.
Records: Bracken County 23-11, Bishop Brossart 26-7.
