article 2017-2018 2nd Region Girls Preview

2012 was the last time a team not named Henderson County represented the 2nd region at the Sweet 16. Entering 2018, there are a few teams at the top of the preseason rankings that hope to change that narrative. However, one thing will not change from last season, the road to NKU still must pass through the 6th and 8th districts.

Team Rankings

Rank Team (Last Season Overall Record; Last Season Region Record; Postseason Finish)

1. Christian County (17-14; 10-5; Region Semifinals)

Key Losses: Tovah Wadlington, Shakia McGregory

Key Returners: Trintee Jackson, Aaliyah Hampton, Laderia Gold

This is the year that Christian County has been waiting for. 6-3 center Trinitee Jackson was dominant at times for the Lady Colonels. Back again is the backcourt duo of Hampton and Gold. Talitha Bryant is back from a knee injury that sidelined her last season but she will most likely come off the bench behind Freshman Trinity McGee, who may be the X-factor for the Lady Colonels. Look for the Lady Colonels to use last season's 1 point semifinals loss to Webster County as motivation to take the region by storm.

2. Webster County (21-13; 14-4; Region Runner-Up)

Key Losses: Kaylee Duncan

Key Returners: Karlie Keeney, Jessica Winders, Marissa Austin

Webster County won their first district championship since 1999 with their upset of powerhouse Henderson County. They return all but one player from last season's region runner-up squad, but Kaylee Duncan leaves some big shoes to fill from a leadership and toughness standpoint. Another question mark is whether or not Kelsey Payne will return after her 2nd season-ending ACL injury. However, the Lady Trojans can rely on sharpshooter Karlie Keeney and workhorse Jessica Winders to lead this very deep squad. Expect the Lady Trojans to repeat as 6th district champions and be Christian County's biggest threat for the region crown.

3. Henderson County (28-6; 12-1; State Quarterfinals)

Key Losses: Alisha Owens, Emma Lander, Breanna Chester

Key Returners: Alyssa Dickson, Jalee Carter, Emilee Hope

If anyone wants to dethrone the 5-time defending region champions, this is the year to do it. Henderson County will be looking for ways to replace double-double machine Alisha Owens, sharpshooter Emma Lander and coach on the floor Breanna Chester. We have learned in the past not to count out a school of Henderson County's size because they always seem to reload. The Lady Colonels will lean heavily on all-around scorer Alyssa Dickson and point guard Jalee Carter. Shooting guard Emilee Hope showed some promise at times last season also. Look for the Lady Colonels to advance until they meet Christian County or Webster County in the postseason.

4. Hopkinsville (23-9; 15-3; Region Semifinals)

Key Losses: Janiya Davis, Jaliyah Grubbs, Amarie Brodie

Key Returners: Zakyra Stallworth, Breon Oldham, London Foster

Hopkinsville will be without the services of 8th district journeywoman Janiya Davis and do-it-all talent Jaliyah Grubbs. The Lady Tigers do however return the best rim protector in the 2nd region in 6-3 center Zakyra Stallworth and lightning quick point guard Breon Oldham. The biggest question mark for the Lady Tigers will be scoring but they should still be a dominant team defensively. Expect the Lady Tigers to return to the region semifinals but bow out to Webster County or Henderson County.

5. Caldwell County (17-11; 11-9; District Tournament)

Key Losses: Chandra Litchfield, Camryn Clift

Key Returners: Moshea Glover, Jada Boyd, Jacey Jaggers

The youth movement in Caldwell County is starting to bear fruit. Gone is the senior leadership of point guard Camryn Clift and leading scorer Chandra Litchfield. Back is a good crop of young talent that showed a lot of improvement last season. There is a considerable drop off of talent in the region from the top 4 teams to the rest of the region, but Caldwell County should be the best of the rest. Look for the Lady Tigers to claim their first district championship since 2014.

6. Hopkins County Central (11-20; 7-12; Region Quarterfinals)

Key Losses: Talana Hardy, Rickara Hughes, Brittney Medlen

Key Returners: Nykea Ikeard, Gabriella Baxter

Hopkins County Central shocked the region last year by upsetting top-ranked Madisonville-North Hopkins to claim their first district championship since 2006 after a roller coaster of a season. Gone is the double-double average of Talana Hardy and athletic guard Rickara Hughes. However, the Lady Storm return their 2 leading scorers from postseason play last year in Nykea Ikeard and Gabriella Baxter. Look for the Lady Storm to be the biggest threat to Caldwell County for the 7th district championship.

7. University Heights (14-14; 7-8; District Tournament)

Key Losses: Jordon Hornbuckle, Areonna Day, Faith Alm

Key Returners: Anshanique Leavell, Lily Hendricks

How do you ever replace a player like Jordon Hornbuckle? The selfless workhorse had an unparelleled work ethic and leadership qualities. The Lady Blazers will struggle to replace her nightly double-doubles. Also gone is Areonna Day (transfer to Christian County). They do however return high-scoring guard Anshanique Leavell who may lead the region in scoring this season. Don't expect UHA to keep Christian County or Hopkinsville from contending for a region title, but do expect them to be Caldwell County's biggest challenge for the All-A.

8. Lyon County (19-11; 15-10; Region Quarterfinals)

Key Losses: Allison Ellis, Terrianna Johnson, Jenna White

Key Returners: Allison Murphy, Hannah Holloman

Ellis, Johnson and White all provided consistent production and balanced scoring for the Lyon County last season. Back for the Lady Lyons is all-around talent Allison Murphy and shooter/rebounder Hannah Holloman. The Lady Lyons will rely heavily on those 2 for scoring and leadership with a young roster. Look for them to be the team to beat in the 5th district and challenge for the All-A.

9. Livingston Central (11-17; 4-10; District Tournament)

Key Losses: Sarah Williams, Chaney Adams

Key Returners: Tabby Padon, Kalynn Campbell

Last season was a disappointment for Livingston Central. Tabby Padon and Kalynn Campbell were coming off stellar sophomore seasons that included an All-A region championship. The Lady Cardinals looked poised to win the 5th district and repeat as All-A region champs. They fell short of expectations but still return their top 2 guns in Padon and Campbell. If they can rekindle some of that fire from 2 seasons ago, they could make another run at the 5th district and All-A this season.

10. Madisonville-North Hopkins (18-13; 10-6; Region Quarterfinals)

Key Losses: Molly Stone, Kalveona Pepper, Brynin Carver, Irelane Enoch, Jayda Civils

Key Returners: Courtney Peyton, Lindsey Peyton

Madisonville-North Hopkins loses one of the best rebounders in the state in Molly Stone and one of the state's best shooters in Brynin Carver. Also gone due to transfer is 6-0 center Kalveona Pepper who teamed with Stone to form the region's best frontcourt. The Lady Maroons will be a totally different team as they lose all 5 starters and only return 2 players with significant varsity experience. Expect a rebuilding year in Madisonville.

11. Crittenden County (25-8; 17-5; Region Quarterfinals)

Key Losses: Cassidy Moss, Amanda Lynch, Kiana Nesbitt

Key Returners: Madison Champion, Mauri Collins

Gone is all-time leading scorer Cassidy Moss, as well as the next 2 best players on the roster from last season. Madison Champion is the team's leading returning scorer at 9.5 PPG. The Lady Rockets will be a balanced team but an inexperienced one. Expect a rebuild in Marion but they will still be in the hunt for the 5th district.

12. Union County (9-20; 3-12; District Tournament)

Key Losses: Kiara Campbell, Victoria French, Ashley Duckworth

Key Returners: Courtlyn Beaven, Jocelyn Spaulding

Union County is on their 3rd head coach in as many years. Gone is long-time starting point guard Kiara Campbell and sharpshooter Victoria French. Back are key contributors from last season Courtlyn Beaven and Jocelyn Spaulding. Unfortunately, also returning are district foes and region powers Webster County and Henderson County to keep the Bravettes from reaching the region tournament.

13. Dawson Springs (11-19; 4-15; District Tournament)

Key Losses: Malaia Miller, Erin Woosley

Key Returners: Erin Orten, Brooklyn Cotton

Dawson Springs is coming off back-to-back 11 win seasons but only 7 of those 22 wins were against region competition. However, that win total could increase this season due to a down year in the region for teams ranked 5th and lower. The Lady Panthers could be a surprise region tournament team in a down year for the 7th district.

14. Trigg County (6-20; 2-13; District Tournament)

Key Losses: Faith Hughes, Kimberlee Shelton

Key Returners: Lauren Oliver, Emily Noffsinger

There were signs of improvement with a youthful team last season. Center Lauren Oliver averaged a double-double and the Lady Cats got balanced production throughout their roster. The question now is have they improved enough to contend in the 5th district. The rest of the team may still be a year away from contending but unfortunately Oliver is a senior.

15. Fort Campbell (0-26; 0-18; District Tournament)

Key Losses: Alyssia Holt, Tamisha Sibert, Kylie Blaszkowski

Key Returners: Latira McLaughlin, Makaila Clayton

Fort Campbell loses top talent Alyssia Holt and head coach Arnika Brown. February 5, 2016 was the last time the Lady Falcons got a win and unfortunately it looks like it could be another long season.

Player Rankings

Rank Player (Class) - Team

1. Trinitee Jackson (SR) - Christian County At 6-3 she is not just big, she is strong and athletic. She can be unguardable at times and holds offers from Memphis and several OVC schools.

2. Karlie Keeney (JR) - Webster County Great size for a shooting guard that allows her to finish around the rim and rebound to compliment her scoring.

3. Anshanique Leavell (SR) - University Heights Good size for a point guard and can score in a variety of ways

4. Alyssa Dickson (JR) - Henderson County Burst onto the scene last year with her scoring ability and looks poised to have an even bigger year in 2017-2018

5. Nykea Ikeard (JR) - Hopkins County Central Long and athletic guard that thrives on defense and attacking the lane

6. Aaliyah Hampton (JR) - Christian County One of the best attackers in the region that is developing as a shooter

7. Laderia Gold (SR) - Christian County Quick point guard that doubles as a 3-point specialist

8. Zakyra Stallworth (SR) - Hopkinsville Region's best rim protector that is 6-3 with an even bigger wingspan but still developing offensively

9. Tabby Padon (SR) - Livingston Central A threat to score from inside and out

10. Jessica Winders (SR) - Webster County Workhorse on the block but can step out and shoot it

11. Allison Murphy (JR) - Lyon County

12. Lauren Oliver (SR) - Trigg County

13. Breon Oldham (JR) - Hopkinsville

14. Marissa Austin (SO) - Webster County

15. London Foster (SR) - Hopkinsville

Several Caldwell County players, including Mashea Glover, did not come back this season. Just 11 players on the Caldwell roster to open the year.

Several Caldwell County players, including Mashea Glover, did not come back this season. Just 11 players on the Caldwell roster to open the year.

What is going on there? She was one of their best players coming back.

Several players quit basketball to concentrate on softball. Three softball players didn't come back, one soccer player didn't come back and another player moved to Clarksville. Caldwell County is down to one senior and one junior.

Several players quit basketball to concentrate on softball. Three softball players didn't come back, one soccer player didn't come back and another player moved to Clarksville. Caldwell County is down to one senior and one junior.

I hate it when kids don’t play multiple sports when they are capable.

I hate it when kids don’t play multiple sports when they are capable.

It is getting more and more common. You do not have to specialize in one sport to make it. I always encouraged mine to do multiple sports just to keep them involved in something and avoid getting burned out.