Kyvin Goodin-Rogers and Makayla Epps had ten points each in the "title game" for the 17U division bracket. Kentucky Premium won easily 50-24.
It may have not been the opponent they wanted...but the Kentucky Premier 17U squad won the 17U National Division Champonship Bracket title by a 2-0 forfeit and then preceded to demolish originally 3rd place Surry Storm 50-24 Thursday afternoon in Cardinal Arena.
Kentucky Premier was scheduled to play the Lady Rams from Jacksonville and Surry was to face Northside Indy Magic...but both opponents chose to forego the final day of hoops action.
So, the Storm and Premier faced off in a contest that was strictly one sided from the opening tip. Premier downgraded the Storm into a tropical depression and roared out to a 16-0 lead in the first six minutes of the game. Premium took a 30-11 lead into halftime and steadily increased the margin in the second half to eventually win by 26.
Surry, from Mt. Airy, NC., had no answers for the Premier transition game and couldn't penetrate the swarming Premier defense. They had gone 4-0, like Kentucky Premier, in earlier tournament action...but were outmatched and outplayed by Epps, Rogers and company.
CARDINAL COUPLE caught up with Makayla Epps after the contest for her comments:
(On playing with Marion County high School teammates Bre Elder and Kyvin Goodin- Rogers on the Premier team)
"Yeah, I love them. we've got that connection, that strong connection. They know where I'm at...I know where they're at and we get each other the ball."
(On not getting to face the Lady Rams in the final game.)
"I was very disappointed...because a couple of tournaments ago they kinda hammered us and we all wanted to redeem ourselves. We've got a couple of new players, we felt we could take them and we were down about it when they went home."
(On any influence from her father...former UK star Anthony Epps to go play college ball for Kentucky)
"Not at all. He doesn't mind where I go. He'd be happy if I go here (Louisville) even though he went to Kentucky."
(On other college contacts)
(Chuckling) "No calls from Geno (Auriemna...) I got a letter of interest from UConn but nothing major."
(Next up for Kentucky Premier)
"We're going down to Murfreesboro for a Tennessee tournament down there. A lot of the same teams that were here will be there...really good teams. It's going to be a battle"
(On Marion County's chances of success next year in the state tournament)
"Oh, yeah...I've already said it. We're getting back next year and we're gonna win it!"
A great job by Coach Tapley and the Premier in the FILA Summer Derby Classic and hopefully continued good fortunes for this hard playing AAU squad down the road.
(Tomorrow we'll feature a CARDINAL COUPLE exclusive interview with UofL Lady Card sophomore forward Asia Taylor.)
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