Franklin-Simpson takes down Bullitt East 66-47, advances to elite eight for first time since 2008

LEXINGTON, Ky. –  It’s been 18 years since Franklin-Simpson won a game on the state tournament stage, but when the Lady Wildcats stepped on the court of the Kentucky Wildcats, they added their own roar to Rupp Arena by taking down Bullitt East 66-47.

The Lady Cats and Lady Chargers both earned their spots in the 2026 Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Girls Basketball Sweet 16 by defying odds, but after an explosive second half for the girls in blue and white, Franklin-Simpson proved it belonged in the Elite Eight.

“I thought it was a tale of two halves for us,” head coach Ashley Taylor said. “I thought we were a little rushed in the first half, but I thought the second half we came out and we settled down. We were much more under control of what we were trying to get, and we were able to get multiple stops in a row to build up a lead. Then we protected our lead from there.”

It was a team effort to build up that lead, but it was Tiffany Harrigan to start it.

12 of the senior’s total 20 points in the game came from that third quarter, and she had a very simple answer as to why she was so electrified coming out of the locker room.

“I had some fruit snacks during halftime, so I had some sugar in my system and I just trusted my game doing what I know I can do,” Harrigan said.

But even with more points than Harrigan was Allye Pennington.

She went 6-9 from beyond the arc and ended with 28 points. Pennington also led with 10 rebounds for the double-double, and it was that end of the ball that impressed her coach the most.

“She stepped up defensively,” Taylor said. “Everybody always sees her offensive end, so I was really proud of her on the defensive end tonight.”

The team as a whole was impressive on defense, forcing nine turnovers in the first half while only picking up one themselves.

Franklin-Simpson finished the game shooting 40.4% from the field and went 8-16 from the three-point line.

That last state win for the Lady Cats in 2008 was on the court of Diddle Arena. This time, being able to capture the squad’s first win on the court of Rupp Arena meant a lot to these players.

“That’s really cool to be a part of that,” senior Mylah Riggsbee said, “Going out there is so surreal. Never in my life I imagined playing in Rupp Arena and I’m just glad I get to do it with this group.”

Next up, Franklin-Simpson will take on the winner of North Laurel vs. George Rogers Clark. The Elite Eight matchup will be played on Friday, March 13, at 8:30 p.m. EST in Rupp Arena.