LEXINGTON — Named Co-Sixth Region Players of the Year earlier this season, seniors Mariah Knight and Ramiya White are the undisputed leaders of the Butler High School girls basketball team .
But the Bearettes’ guards can ball, too.
Emaree Gober, Malia Patrick and A’Nieja Russell each made big contributions Wednesday as Butler knocked off Anderson County, 58-49, in the first round of the Mingua Beef Jerky/KHSAA Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena.
“I know what I’m going to get out of Ramiya and Mariah, but with our guards it just depends on the night,” Butler coach Candyce Wheeler said. “I think that’s why we’re hard to guard because you never know which guard is going to show up for us.”
Gober hit a trio of 3-pointers and posted 11 points and four assists. Patrick added 10 points and four assists, and Russell pitched in six points, five rebounds and five assists.
Add in the consistent performances of White (16 points, four rebounds) and Knight (10 points, four rebounds, two blocks) and Butler proved worthy of a spot in Friday’s Sweet 16 quarterfinals.
“We know Knight and White and who they are and what they can do,” Anderson County coach Clay Birdwhistell said. “They were everything they’re advertised to be. But I thought the difference in the game was the contribution they got from those guards.”
Playing in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017, No. 14-ranked Butler (27-8) will face Franklin County in Friday’s 1:30 p.m. quarterfinal.
Wheeler is Butler’s fourth head coach in the past four seasons and has helped restore pride in a program that’s won five state championships.
“I told them it wasn’t going to be an easy transition, but they believed,” Wheeler said. “They trusted the process, and we’re moving on.”
Jenna Satterly and Lainey Johnson both scored 17 points to lead No. 7 Anderson County (32-3).
Butler trailed, 38-36, after three quarters but blitzed its way to a 22-11 run in the fourth.
Patrick, who comes off the bench, started the surge with two layups.
“I like coming off the bench,” Patrick said. “I feel like it gives me time to see what’s going on. When I come in the game, I’m ready and I can bring energy.”
The 6-foot-5 White scored in the paint to give Butler the lead for good, 44-42, with 5:17 left.
The University of Kentucky signee said she had to overcome early-game jitters.
“I was a little nervous,” she said. “When I started scoring, I just felt comfortable. I just kept scoring.”
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Gober and Russell — who banked in her shot — gave the Bearettes a 50-43 lead with 3:32 remaining. Knight added back-to-back baskets for a 55-45 edge with 2:12 left.
The Bearettes were 8 for 8 from the field in the fourth quarter, but Wheeler credited her defense.
“I think it was more effort and locking in,” Wheeler said. “They said in the huddle they didn’t want to go home. I heard (Patrick) say it numerous times: ‘Lock in. Lock in.’ … I preached (defense) all year. Defense travels.”
ANDERSON COUNTY 11 11 16 11 – 49
BUTLER 11 13 12 22 – 58
Anderson County (32-3) – Faith Hyatt 3, Jenna Satterly 17, Claire Cooper 8, Lainey Johnson 17, Madison Glass 2, Faith McGregor 2.
Butler (27-8) – Mariah Knight 10, Ramiya White 16, Emaree Gober 11, Keziah Bradley 2, A’Nieja Russell 6, Imari Robinson 3, Malia Patrick 10.
More: KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament results, highlights from 1st day at Rupp Arena
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Butler basketball delivers in fourth quarter, bounces Anderson County in Girls Sweet 16
Most Popular
Comments / 0