Bullitt East’s Lady Chargers from Kentucky are the 2021 Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies’ Classic champions after knocking off the Greeneville Lady Devils 64-52 in the title tilt Friday night at Hal Henard Gymnasium.
The Lady Devils had the same problems a lot of squads have when facing the Lady Chargers, trying to find some way to defend 6-6 post Gracie Merkle.
Merkle scored 27 points and hauled in 11 rebounds to lead the Chargers in the championship game against a Greeneville squad that was playing in the school’s first classic title tilt.
Greeneville led 21-14 at the first rest stop, but Bullitt battled back to take a 32-26 advantage at the half. The Devils were unable to make a rally in the second half.
In addition to the 27 points by Merkle, tournament MVP Emma Egan scored 12 and pulled in 11 rebounds. Lilly Reid scored 11.
Delana DeBusk of Greeneville, who pestered offenses all week with her quickness, was selected as the Defensive MVP of the tournament. She also led the Devils in scoring with 11 points.
GREENEVILLE (52): Ellenburg 2-7 2-3 8, Bailey 1-8 7-10 9, Carter 3-8 0-0 7, Marsh 2-4 3-4 7, Jobe 1-3 0-0 2, Delana DeBusk 5-10 0-0 11, Martin 0-1 0-0 0, Dilchert 0-3 0-0 0, Shaw 4-6 0-0 8. TOTALS: 18-50 12-17 52.
BULLITT EAST (64): Tinelio 0-1 0-0 0, Ortega 2-3 0-0 4, Emma Egan 5-12 2-4 12, Rodgers 3-6 2-2 8, Hughes 0-4 2-4 2, Gracie Merkle 13-18 1-1 27, Lilly Reid 5-10 0-0 11. TOTALS: 28-55 7-11 64.
3-Point Goals: GHS—4 (Ellenburg 2, Carter, DeBusk). BE—1 (Reid).
GREENEVILLE 21 5 7 19—52
BULLITT EAST 14 18 12 20—64
