Kyra Elzy, Eniya Russell explain how Kentucky responded without Maddie Scherr in SEC Tournament

Kentucky women’s hoops hasn’t been incredibly successful under head coach Kyrza Elzy, however, the Wildcats have developed a knack for surprising folks with runs in the SEC Tournament over the years.

A couple of seasons ago, the Wildcats and Rhyne Howard stormed to the SEC title game and cut down the nets to go from NCAA Tournament doubtful to auto-bid during a magical week in Nashville. The Wildcats had a decent showing in 2023 as well winning two games, and have now won their opener this season against Georgia to get to 7-1 in their last eight SEC Tournament games.

After the win, Elzy joined the SEC Network crew and was asked how her team continues to come through in the SEC Tournament.

“I don’t know. I love it, whatever it is. Just so proud of this team,” answered the Kentucky, crediting her team for making up for veteran point guard Maddie Scherr’s absence. There was one player in specific that Elzy was proud of.

“Without Maddie Scherr, a lot of people counted us out, so proud of our guards for stepping up, Ajae Petty. But I want to give a big shoutout to Brooklynn Miles. We’ve been on her all year, she was prepared for this moment to lead us. I”m probably hardest on her in practice, she can take it, she can handle it. She wanted to step up to the challenge, she has that dog in her, and she led us out tonight.”

Miles got the start and tied Petty playing a team-high 36 minutes, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. She wasn’t alone, though, as another senior, Eniya Russell, came up big in the win off the bench. She chipped in 19 points and knocked down 5/6 free throws to help seal the deal for Kentucky, who only hit one field goal in the first nine minutes of the fourth quarter but held on to a double-digit lead by taking care of the ball and making free throws.

Russell commented after the game that staying calm was the key for her and the Kentucky guards when pressure ramped up in the final minutes: “Just calming down, trying to break that press. Just catching the ball, taking our time, and letting go of mistakes we had in the past. So, just slowing down the offense and making up for it on defense.”

Without Scherr, handling that press was tougher, but as they had all game, Kentucky found other players to step up. Elzy noted afterwards that was an emphasis in the pregame.

“We had to say that we were built different, and we had to come with that mentality. Next man had to step up. Obviously, we really miss Maddie and what she brings to this program, but now, somebody has to step up.”

Next up, now, is Tennessee. The Lady Vols beat the ‘Cats last time, but per Kyra Elzy, the third month the calendar means a whole new season.

“It’s March, there’s no record. It’s 0-0, there’s no record. You have to let the non-conference go, let the conference season go, it’s March Madness.”

For now, Kyra Elzy and Kentucky are still alive.