Team Rankings - Rank - Team (Last Year's Result)

 

1. Henderson County (28-3; State Quarterfinals) - The best remains the best until someone dethrones them or can prove they can handle their full court pressure. They will be looking to make their 4th straight trip to the Sweet 16 on the shoulders of the region's best post player, Alishia Owens. They lose a lot of fire power from last season, but big schools like Henderson County don't rebuild, they reload.

 

2. Madisonville-North Hopkins (20-10; Region Semifinals) - The Lady Maroons lose only one starter from a year ago but return center Molly Stone that missed all of last season with a knee injury. They will look to continue their success of making everyone else play their game and grind it out in the halfcourt. They will be a team with a ton of experience and senior leadership, including arguably the region's best player Adarian Gray, but depth could be a concern.

 

3. Hopkins County Central (20-12; Region Semifinals) - The Lady Storm were the most improved team in the region last season and may have been the only team that could have challenged Henderson County's full court game, but they came up 1 point short against Webster County in the semifinals. They lose one of the best players in the program's history in Asia White but return a solid core to carry on their defensive havoc system.

 

4. Hopkinsville (8-19; District Semifinals) - The Lady Tigers really underachieved last season as their record did not accurately reflect their roster's talent. They have the best size in the region and return a solid core that should challenge Christian County for the district title. Added Janiya Davis from University Heights which will be a huge help.

 

5. Webster County (20-11; Region Runner-Up) - The Lady Trojans are always a fundamentally-sound group that plays hard as a team. They lose a matchup nightmare in Kristin Keeney but return a great 1-2 punch with Hallie Gibson and Kaylee Duncan. Combine that will the young talent that they have coming up and Webster County could make a return to the region championship.

 

6. Christian County (12-12; Region Quarterfinals) - Genashia Robinson will be tough to replace but expect her young supporting cast to be much improved this season. Last year's growing pains with a young lineup should yield better results this season. However, they may still be a year away from challenging the top teams in the region.

 

7. Lyon County (20-9; Region Quarterfinals) - The Lady Lyons were one of the most improved teams in the region last season and could compete with anyone in the halfcourt. The region tournament exposed their Achilles' Heel when they struggled against Hopkins County Central's speed in a lopsided matchup. They lose sharpshooter Barrett Blackburn but expect the same type of success for Lyon County this season.

 

8. Union County (14-14; District Semifinals) - The Bravettes will have to adjust to not having their "Miss Everything" Mikayla Thompson, but they return experienced point guard Kiara Campbell. However, don't count them out as region tournament team. The scrappy, well-coached Bravettes will still be competitive.

 

9. Crittenden County (16-12; Region Quarterfinals) - These hard-working overachievers are always well coached. They return gifted scorer Cassidy Moss but who will be the Lady Rockets #2 option?

 

10. University Heights (23-7; Region Quarterfinals) - Coach Sparks team has been hit hard from graduation and the departure of Janiya Davis to Hopkinsville. Look for a major rebuild this year with several players having to step up into new roles.

 

11. Livingston Central (14-12; District Semifinals) - The Lady Cardinals return the best guard in the district in Tabby Padon but there may not be enough supporting cast to move ahead of Lyon or Crittenden.

 

12. Trigg County (10-16; District Semifinals) - Back is 2nd leading scorer Martin but this is still a young team in rebuild mode.

 

13. Caldwell County (11-14; District Semifinals) - The biggest question surrounding the program is who will be the go-to scorer now that Aaliyah Rodgers and Tori Loomis have moved on?

 

14. Fort Campbell (4-23; District Semifinals) - Ingram and Fairley are some talented youngster but the revolving door of a roster keeps them in constant rebuild mode.

 

15. Dawson Springs (5-20; District Semifinals) - Dawson Springs returns their entire team from a year ago but are still a very small school that will struggle to compete with anyone in the top 11.

 

Rank - Player, Class (School)

 

1. Adarian Gray, SR (Madisonville-North Hopkins) - A great comeback story last season that came back in a big way after missing her sophomore season because of a knee injury. A solid all-around player that finds a way to come through in the clutch.

 

2. Lyric Campbell, SR (Hopkins County Central) - One of the best athletes in the state and an outstanding ballhandler. She may be the toughest 1 on 1 matchup in the region with her speed and ability to shoot from outside. She could be the best player in the region by season's end if she continues to develop like she did last season.

 

3. Alisha Owens, JR (Henderson County) - Returns from a season-ending knee injury that cut last season short. Despite sharing the paint with DeAsia Outlaw, Owens posted impressive numbers. She will be a matchup problem for every team in the region if she is fully recovered. Despite the injury she is still a solid D1 prospect.

 

4. Janiya Davis, JR (Hopkinsville) - Great physical tools and posted solid numbers despite being the 3rd option last season. She was a huge matchup problem for teams that chose to play man defense. The question now is how will she respond now that defenses will be keying on her.

 

5. Hallie Gibson, SR (Webster County) - The best inside-out game of anyone in the region. She is skilled and crafty enough to hurt you inside and you have to honor her outside shooting ability.

 

6. Molly Stone, JR (Madisonville-North Hopkins) - Missed all of last season due to a knee injury after an impressive freshman year. If she returns at full strength she could be the difference maker to help close the gap on Henderson County.

 

7. Kaylee Duncan, JR (Webster County) - Solid point guard that runs the show as well as anyone in the region. A clutch performer that made the game winning free throw against Hopkins County Central to send the Lady Trojans to the region championship game.

 

8. Melanie P'Pool, SR (Lyon County) - Skilled back to the basket post player that can step out and shoot the 3 as well. A matchup nightmare if the game is played in the half-court.

 

9. JaEricka Grubbs, SR (Hopkinsville) - A deceptively good athlete that has solid ball handling and a good outside shot, but she needs to improve defensively to move up the rankings.

 

10. Farisia Hodge, SR (Hopkinsville) - One of the top rebounders in the state last season and a good shot blocker, but her offense is limited to garbage baskets.

 

11. Kiara Campbell, JR (Union County) - A solid point guard that facilitated the offense perfectly through Mikayla Thompson, but how will she respond to being the team's primary scorer this season?

 

12. Samantha Carter, SR (Henderson County) - Talented guard that flew under the radar playing off the bench behind one of the best back courts in the state. Can she step up and lead the Lady Colonels to their 4th consecutive region championship?

 

13. Laderia Gold, SO (Christian County) - Loads of potential but still very rough around the edges. Could become one of the best guards in the region if she becomes more consistent.

 

14. Keyasia Combs, SR (Hopkins County Central) - Hard-nosed defensive enforcer that emerged as an offensive threat in the postseason. She proved to be the Lady Storm's 2nd scoring option this summer.

 

15. Cassidy Moss, JR (Crittenden County) - Fundamentally sound and scrappy player that finds a way to score. After losing Oliver the Lady Rocket offense will run through her.

Chris Jung reported a few days ago that Davis was ruled ineligible for Hopkinsville. Does anyone know any updates on the situation? That is a huge blow for a very talented young lady.

Great job.

Jeff Haile begins his 30th year at Henderson and just got victory #650. Favored to win the region again. With all those region titles, several final fours and a boat load of D1 players over the years, there is that one elusive victory not on the resume, State

Championship.

Not going to get it with this team. They are top 15 and should make state but not enough offense to win it all.