The Bellarmine Lions girls basketball team found out you can’t spot the No.1-ranked team in the state a 13-point lead in the first five minutes of the game and overcome their savvy and experience even if you do rally and find your game. The net result of this learning experience: a 72-65 loss in the West Central District  championship game.
“We took their best shot, got back up and made it a close game. The difference is they have a lot of experience and we are still learning,” Bellarmine coach Kevin Meines said, after the game.
It took Bellarmine Prep nearly seven minutes to put back-to-back baskets together in the first quarter.
“They were like deer in headlights at the start of the game,” said Meines.
After falling behind  15-2, the Lions gradually tightened that margin, trailing only 25-23 with two minutes in the half. But as they would all night, Auburn Riverside, led by Mercedes Wetmore, collected themselves and took a 35-27 halftime lead.
The game rocked back and forth, with the Lions tying the game, 48-48, early in the fourth quarter, and even taking a brief one-point lead at 51-50 on a rebound and layup by quietly emerging sophomore center Jadea Brundidge. But Wemore had an answer for that, as she had an answer for every challenge the Lions posed, driving in for a layup and a 52-51 lead that would not be surrendered again.
The Lions stayed alive throught the game mostly on the strength of Mechela Barnes’ tenacious play around the basket. Barnes led the Lions with 21 points.
The Ravens acknowledged the test the Lions gave them, but they won the game for the same reason they have won every game they have played this season: the non-stop offense of Mercedes and an athletic defense that forces critical turnovers and stops when they need to.