ZaKiyah Johnson leads Kentucky High School Basketball All-Stars to Win -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

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JOHNSON'S 34 POINTS LEAD KY ALL STARS TO DOUBLE O.T. WIN OVER INDIANA

We've known for a long time here at Cardinal Couple just how good graduating Sacred Heart senior and LSU bound ZaKiyah Johnson is. Once again, last night in Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse, she rose high above the rest of the players and scored 34 points to lead the KY Girls Basketball starts to a win (and sweep) over the Indiana squad.

 It took awhile...a double over-time 106-103 Kentucky win, but Johnson got the KY squad to overtime and eventually secured the win. She was fouled trying a three-pointer to tie the contest, sent to the free throw line with seven seconds to go in regulation...and sank all three free throw attempts. 

ZaKiyah Johnson

Johnson is headed to LSU for college (we wonder just wonder how long she'll be able to play for Kim Mulkey) and, once again...SEC NIL money has made the recruiting game more of an auction to the highest bidder than any school loyalty for the best players in the high school game...and even transfers by college kids out of Louisville and other schools in the state are lured to programs waving dollar bills. 

A noted college coach mentioned awhile back that N.I.L. had ruined the college game and the decision Johnson to go to the SEC bears fruit to that statement. We've even seen it in other UofL women's sports , like softball...where Korbe Otis left for a more lucrative NIL at Florida, and we are getting unconfirmed rumor that Cards pitching ace Alyssa Zabala may be on the move again, too. 

But, it was the Kentucky High School GBB stars night to shine last night and in addition to Johnson's big night, an Indiana star had a big evening. Maya Makalusky, out of Hamilton Southeastern had 29 points and is headed to I.U. for her college career. 

Headed to Louisville from the game and a KY All-Star is 6-5 forward/center Grace Mbugna, out of Danville Christian. Also headed to Louisville from the game is Peyton Bradley, out of Meade County. Bradley says:

"I've always dreamed of playing at the next level and Louisville felt like home the minute  I stepped on campus. The programs tradition, the coaching staff's energy and the way they push their players to grow...it's everything I wanted. I can't wait to compete in the ACC and give it my all." Bradley averaged 28.2 ppg a game in her senior year after coming back from an injury that kept her on the bench her junior year.

CCHRP RETURNS TO PODCASTING

It has been nearly a month since the last CCHRP podcast (those pesky commitments and vacations kept getting in the way) but Paulie and Case handled the Jun 7th version and discussed the lull in most UofL activities for the WBB program this time of year.

Hear the boys at the link below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hiatus-leads-to-summer-slump/id1532090880?i=1000711947781

Check out Case's Saturday article for more links. 

paulie