Purples boys and girls basketball programs claim regional titles, head to Sweet 16
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (BVM) — This season, the Bowling Green High School boys and girls basketball programs achieved a feat no other Region 4 school has ever done. The two programs won Region 4 titles in the same season for the second time in school history, matching the 2016 programs. By achieving this accomplishment twice, Bowling Green became the first Region 4 school to have both programs win the region in multiple years, breaking a tie with Warren Central which accomplished the feat in 1983.
Only 3 times in 4th Region history has one school claimed both the girls & boys basketball titles in the same year. 1983 Warren Central, 2016 BGHS & your 2021 BGHS Teams! History lesson courtesy of @bgpreps #excellenceisworththeeffort pic.twitter.com/l1qCzxECzW
— Gary Fields (@BGISDgaryfields) March 28, 2021
The boys were the first to etch their place in school history. On March 24, the boys team took on crosstown rival Greenwood in the regional championship at E.A. Diddle Arena on the Western Kentucky University campus. Led by Region 4 Player of the Year and Northern Kentucky University commit Isaiah Mason, the Purples were able to establish themselves early jumping to a 16-6 lead to end the first quarter. While the Gators would wake up a bit in the second quarter, the Purples would go into halftime holding a 27-19 advantage. The fast start for the Purples would pay dividends by game’s end as the teams would finish the second half with 30 points a piece, giving the Purples the 57-49 victory in a game they never trailed in.
A whole mood 🏆#RuppBound pic.twitter.com/wpmfFtJr6F
— Bowling Green Purples Basketball (@PurplesHoops) March 25, 2021
Mason again proved why he was the region’s best player scoring a team-high 19 points while producing game-highs in rebounds with eight, assists with five and adding both a block and a steal. Connor Cooper and Jacobi Huddleston each contributed to the Purples’ offensive efforts with nine and eight points, respectively, with Huddleston adding five rebounds and an assist and Cooper totaling four rebounds. Jaxson Banks was a defensive force for the Purples with a game-high three blocks while Jordan Dingle, who is better known for his play on the football field, added two blocks while scoring eight points and grabbing five boards.
What a year it has been!!!! This team has been through it. But this team also gets to hang a banner and a big nice picture in that arena!! Talented group that finally reached the top. pic.twitter.com/ou2jfOnVFG
— Bowling Green Purples Basketball (@PurplesHoops) March 25, 2021
The girls would participate in the Region 4 championship at Diddle Arena on March 28 against Barren County. The Lady Purples would display a suffocating brand of defense in the 49-38 triumph as the team would combine for 11 steals and six blocks on the day, far outnumbering the opponent’s eight and one, respectively. Meadow Tisdale and LynKaylah James led the charge on the defensive end, each contributing a pair of blocks and a steal with James totaling two blocks and Tisdale adding three. Tanaya Bailey also played a big role in the game adding a steal while also hitting the Lady Purples’ lone three-pointer of the night.
YOUR 4th Region Champs, @LadyPurpleHoops! pic.twitter.com/wArnIY8xGI
— The Purple Spirit (@BGHSPurplesNews) March 28, 2021
Now, both teams will prepare to move onto their respective Kentucky High School Athletic Association Sweet Sixteens at Rupp Arena in Louisville. The boys will play first when they meet up with University Heights on March 31 at 2 p.m. in the tournament’s opening round. The girls will play on April 7 at 2 p.m., but will have to wait to see who is victorious out of Region 10, which will be decided on March 30.
With both teams representing Region 4 in the tournament, Bowling Green should be quite abuzz over the next coming weeks.
We’re going to Rupp!! pic.twitter.com/jxD754X9HU
— The Purple Spirit (@BGHSPurplesNews) March 28, 2021
