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Gracie Merkle, Bullitt East dominate Southwestern; advance to Sweet 16 title

There was no stopping Grace Merkle from leading her Bullitt East squad to the championship game of the 2022 Mingua Beef Jerky Girls Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament.

The 6-foot-6 senior put the Lady Chargers on her back in the semifinals against the Southwestern Warriors, cruising to a dominant 66-42 win where the final score was never truly in doubt. Bullitt East led from start to finish and will now face the winner of Cooper and Sacred Heart during Saturday night’s title matchup, which is set for 7:00 p.m. EST inside of Rupp Arena.

Merkle was the star of the contest, dropping an insane 27 points, 21 rebounds, and five blocks on 10-15 shooting.