Thanks to St. Elizabeth Healthcare Sports Medicine for sponsoring our girls’ high school basketball coverage this season. See all of our girls’ basketball stories here during our state tournament coverage this week from BB&T Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.
By Terry Boehmker
NKy Tribune sports reporter
In his opening statement at the post-game press conference, Holmes girls’ basketball coach Tony Perkins said everything you need to know about his team’s 59-55 loss to Mercer County in the quarterfinal round of the St. Elizabeth Healthcare/KHSAA Girls Sweet 16 state tournament on Friday at BB&T Arena.
“I thought we played hard,” Perkins said. “We played OK in the second half and got back in the game. We just didn’t make enough shots.”
Holmes ended up shooting 29.1 percent (16 of 55) from the field compared to Mercer County’s 45.5 percent (20 of 44). But the game wasn’t decided until the final seconds despite that disparity in offensive statistics.
After trailing by as much as 14 points in the third quarter, Holmes made a steady comeback and pulled to within five, 57-52, on a 3-point basket by freshman guard Kamari Graham with 1:08 left in the game.
But the Bulldogs missed shots on their next two possessions and Mercer County converted two free throws to extend its lead to 59-52. Holmes junior point guard Jaynice Stovall made a 3-pointer just before he final horn sounded to set the final score.
Mercer County (31-5) advances to the state semifinals to play Franklin County at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Holmes finishes the season with a 29-5 record.
Senior guard Jynea Harris scored a game-high 19 points for the Bulldogs, who were making their first state tournament appearance since 2002. Graham and Stovall scored 13 points each and sophomore forward Tyrah Engelmon had 16 rebounds.
“This isn’t where we wanted it to end,” Harris said. “As a senior, I’m hurt. But I love my girls and I love my coaches. I’m glad I got to play on a basketball court with such talented young women.”
Mercer County took a 7-5 lead in the first quarter and stayed on top the rest of the game. In the second quarter, Holmes went 2-for-12 from the field and the Titans were able to open up a 34-22 halftime lead. The margin reached 14 points twice in the third quarter before the Bulldogs mounted a rally.
Graham hit three 3-point goals in the fourth quarter when Holmes outscored Mercer County, 17-11, but the Titans held on for the win even though they missed seven free throws in the final period.
“I was real proud of that fourth quarter,” Mercer County coach Chris Souder said of his team. “They just kept battling and did what good teams do.”
Sophomore guard Seygan Robins scored 13 of her game-high 21 points in the second half. She also did most of the ball-handling for the Titans after guard Lyric Houston fouled out in the third quarter and made seven of her team’s 13 free throws.
Holmes has compiled a 77-17 record in three seasons under coach Perkins. He wanted the seniors to go out as state champions, but it didn’t work out that way.
I’m proud of these girls,” Perkins said. “It’s hard when you’ve got seniors and people you’ve been with more than your family. These girls do what they’re supposed to do in the classroom and the community. They act right and do the right things. I wouldn’t trade teams with anybodf up here. They’re the best.”
HOLMES 14 8 16 17 — 55
MERCER CO. 20 14 14 11 — 59
HOLMES (29-5): Englemon 0 2 2, Johnson 3 2 8, Harris 5 8 19, Stovall 3 6 13, Graham 5 0 13. Totals: 16 18 55.
MERCER COUNTY (31-5): Souder 4 0 8, Houston 3 4 10, Robins 6 7 21, F. Lake 3 0 8, L. Lake 2 0 6, Davis 2 1 5, Burke 0 1 1. Totals: 20 13 59.
3-pointers: H — Graham 3, Stovall, Harris. MC — Robins 2, F. Lake 2, L. Lake 2.