DEFENDING CHAMPS ROCKED: Rockcastle takes down Mercer County

Photo by Nico Pascarella: Rockcastle County senior Talynne Shearer (11) shoots a jumper over the top of a block by Mercer County freshman Izzie Carlton in the Rockets' 51-47 victory over the Titans in the 12th Region Tournament on Monday.

STANFORD - In the nightcap of day one of the girls' 12th Region Tournament, Mercer County, the defending champions, took on Rockcastle County in one of the more anticipated first round matchups, especially with a Rockcastle team with something to prove after their shocking last-second loss to Pulaski County in their district title game.

In what came down to a battle between senior leaders Anna Drakeford and Talynne Shearer, it was the Lady Rockets coming out on top 51-47, not only securing a semifinal appearance but ending the season of the defending champions, with this being the earliest the Titans have been eliminated since 2020.

Sara Dunn came out firing for the Titans, draining a three-pointer with barely any time off the clock, before Camryn Cash stayed true to her name with by "cashing" a three of her own to quickly tie the game. Drakeford had a three of her own as both teams were hot from the field early on, with Shearer scoring her first two of the game after grabbing her own rebound off a missed three. Shearer then had a big block on the defensive end that led to another two that gave the Rockets their first lead of the night at 7-6.

The teams traded baskets until a potential knee injury was suffered by Rockcastle's Macy Spivey, as she was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Prayers up to the sophomore that it isn't anything serious. Drakeford had a steal and layup to give Mercer a 12-10 advantage after the first quarter of action.

Shearer hit two free throws to begin the second, although those were her lone points of the period after getting into some foul trouble. Drakeford scored three straight to give her team a three-point lead before a basket from Ella McKinney. Two free throws made apiece by Drakeford and Skylar Webb gave the Titans a 19-14 lead, but that lead was gone before the break. After a three-point play from Taylor King and a basket inside from Abby Deleon, the game was tied at the half at 19-19.

Photo by Nico Pascarella: Mercer County senior Anna Drakeford (4) attempts to finish near the basket with a layup during the Titans' loss to Rockcastle County on Monday night.

Despite some poor shooting at times in the first half by both teams, that was quickly forgotten in the third quarter. Dunn began the third like she did the first, with a made three, before Drakeford had her first two of the second half. That scoring outburst was met by a quick five points from Shearer as the game was tied at 24-24 with both sides of the gym exploding with every play. Drakeford went into takeover mode in her own right with five of the next seven points to give her team a three-point lead.

Shearer, although in foul trouble, wasn't afraid of the moment and took control late in the third quarter, as she scored 10 of the last 15 points in the period to give her team a slim 36-34 lead heading into the final eight minutes of the game. Webb hit a three and Drakeford had two to keep the Titans in it late.

Neither team could get much space in the fourth quarter until the Lady Rockets went on a fast 6-1 spree to take a 44-37 lead. Drakeford didn't want her high school career to come an end so easily though, and she scored five in a row to bring the Titans' deficit down to just two points. A basket from Shearer was immediately answered by another four in a row from Drakeford and suddenly the game was tied 46-46 heading into the final minutes with the key seniors for each team leaving everything out on the court.

King scored and was fouled to give her team the lead, but missed the ensuing free throw. After a made free throw from Shearer, Izzie Carlton grabbed an offensive board and was fouled, giving her two shots from the stripe. She hit one but missed the back end, making it a 49-47 Rockcastle lead with time dwindling. Both sides of the arena were on their feet for the key final moments of the game, with Shearer getting sent to the charity stripe with a chance to seal the deal. You always want your senior with the ball in their hand when the game is on the line, and Shearer proved that to be true as she drilled both free throws to give her team a four-point edge. A last second three by Drakeford ended up being the last high school shot she took, as the defending champions were bounced in the first round courtesy of a 51-47 victory by the Lady Rockets of Rockcastle County.

The senior duo of the Titans will be remembered for a long time. Best of luck to Anna Drakeford and Sara Dunn on all of their future pursuits. Drakeford will represent the 12th Region as their candidate for KY Miss Basketball as well.

Rockcastle advances to the 12th Region semifinals for the first time since 2020, where they will square off with the Lady Warriors of Danville Christian for the right to play for the championship. That game will take place on Friday at 6:30 p.m.