Region Tournament Who's Who

Most Experienced Team: Madisonville-North Hopkins (4 seniors and 3 juniors in their 7 player rotation that have made it to the last 3 region semifinals)

Most Big Game Experience: Henderson County (3-time defending region champs that return several key players from last year's state tournament quarterfinalist team)

Best Size: Hopkinsville (4 players at or over the 6-foot mark creates a matchup problem for most other 2nd Region teams)

Most Athletic Team: Hopkins County Central (although undersized up front they have the most athletic backcourt and frontcourt in the region)

Best Shooting Team: Webster County (everyone on their roster can shoot it and shoot it well)

Best Halfcourt Defense: Lyon County (ranked #2 in the state in Team Defense)

Best Fullcourt Defense: Hopkins County Central (in your face for 84-feet from the tipoff until the final buzzer)

 

2nd Region Tournament Power Rankings (based on record, strength of schedule, roster talent and performance vs. other region tournament teams)

1. Henderson County

2. Madisonville-North Hopkins

3. Hopkinsville

4. Hopkins County Central

5. Lyon County

6. Webster County

7. Christian County

8. Crittenden County

 

Lyon County Lady Lyons

Overall Record: 22-7

Region Record: 18-4

Record vs. Other Region Tournament Teams: 5-3

The Lady Lyons are lead by senior point guard Rebecca Somers (15.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG), senior center Melanie PPool (10.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG) and freshman guard/forward Allison Murphy (8.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG). Somers is one of the most well-rounded players in the region and PPool is a load inside that can also shoot the 3 ball. Fundamental halfcourt man defense and good shooting has been the calling card for many Jeff Doom coached team and this one is no different. Ranked #2 in the state in Team Defense only giving up 35.5 PPG, the Lady Lyons give up very few lanes to the hoop and force teams to outshoot them from outside the lane. As their record indicates, not many teams have been able to do so. Their 1st round matchup pits them against a Hopkins County Central team that beat them 54-48 just over a week.

 

Hopkins County Central Lady Storm

Overall Record: 17-14

Region Record: 11-6

Record vs. Other Region Tournament Teams: 4-5

The Lady Storm are lead by senior shooting guard MaKayla Campbell (15.7 PPG), junior forward Talana Hardy (11.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG) and senior point guard Lyric Campbell (11.7 PPG). MaKayla Campbell ranks top 20 in the state for made 3-pointers per game (2.5) and has unbelievable range from deep. Lyric Campbell is the region's most athletic player and can really hurt you in the open court. Since Todd Webb took over the reigns this team has been known for their fullcourt man pressure defense that would definitely rank in the top 20 in the state for steals if that statistic were kept. The Lady Storm have been playing great basketball lately but has their tough out of region schedule prepared them to advance farther than the semifinals this year? Their 1st round matchup is against a Lyon County team that they beat 54-48 just over a week ago.

 

Henderson County Lady Colonels

Overall Record: 15-9

Region Record: 6-2

Record vs. Other Region Tournament Teams: 3-2

The Lady Colonels are lead by junior forward Alisha Owens (12.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG), junior forward Emma Lander (11.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG), senior forward Mikayla Gilbert (8.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG) and senior point guard Samantha Carter (6.6 PPG). Owens, a physical inside presence that stands 6'0, may be the toughest 1 on 1 matchup in the region and is receiving attention from some NCAA Division I programs. Lander is the team's best outside shooter and really improved during Carter's absence. Gilbert is a high energy player that puts in work on both ends. Perhaps the team's most important player is Samantha Carter. The Lady Colonels are 6-0 when Carter scores 10 or more points. A typical Jeff Haile team, this Henderson County squad is armed with a variety of defensive schemes in both the halfcourt and fullcourt. The Lady Colonels are finally back to full strength and appear to be the favorite to return to the Sweet 16 since their only region losses came when they were missing Owens or both Carter and Owens. Henderson County plays the toughest schedule in the region and it usually proves valuable at this point in the season. Their 1st round matchup pits them against a youthful Christian County team.

 

Christian County Lady Colonels

Overall Record: 12-15

Region Record: 7-6

Record vs. Other Region Tournament Teams: 1-6

The Lady Colonels are lead by freshman shooting guard Aaliyah Hampton (13.9 PPG), sophomore point guard Laderia Gold (10.1 PPG) and sophomore power forward Trinitee Jackson (8.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG). Hampton is a promising young prospect that scores in a variety of ways, and Gold is an undersized guard that can beat you both going to the hoop and shooting the 3 ball. Post presence 6'2 Trinitee Jackson is a big question mark heading into the region tournament. Jackson has not played since February 6th against McCracken County with what has been rumored to be a minor knee injury. They have played well in her absence but you would have to think Coach Anthony Hickey would feel much better about his chances with her on the court. Whether or not she plays, the Lady Colonels are big underdogs against the back-to-back-to-back region champs. Christian County, a team with no seniors, will gain valuable postseason experience to make a run next season.

 

Madisonville-North Hopkins Lady Maroons

Overall Record: 22-4

Region Record: 12-1

Record vs. Other Region Tournament Teams: 6-1

The Lady Maroons are lead by senior guard/forward Adarian Gray (14.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG), junior center Molly Stone (9.0 PPG, 11.2 RPG) and senior guard Shaniya Whitsell (10.7 PPG). Gray was recently named the KABC Region 2 Player of the Year. Rightfully so since she has been the focal point of the offense for the Cat's Pause preseason favorite Lady Maroons. If the 2nd Region had a comeback player of the year award it would go to Molly Stone. She has been crucial to the success of the Lady Maroons this season with her relentless pursuit of rebounds on both sides of the ball. Coach Brent Gibson's teams play through their defense and this team is no different. Ranked #5 in Team Defense giving up only 37.6 PPG, in order to beat the Lady Maroons you must be able to handle their zone pressure in both the halfcourt and fullcourt. The biggest question looming over the Lady Maroons is whether or not they can handle a full strength Henderson County should the two meet in the finals. Madisonville-North Hopkins lost all 3 of their major tests outside of the region by large margins and their other loss came at the hands of a Henderson County team without point guard Samantha Carter. The Lady Maroons received the most favorable draw of all teams in the tournament. Their 1st round matchup pits them against 5th District runner-up Crittenden County.

 

Crittenden County Lady Rockets

Overall Record: 15-15

Region Record: 12-11

Record vs. Other Region Tournament Teams: 0-9

The youthful Lady Rockets are lead by junior guard Cassidy Moss (16.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG). Moss has been the leading scorer in the region for the majority of the season and can score both shooting the basketball and getting to the hoop. No team depends on one player more than the Lady Rockets depend on Moss. A typical Shannon Hodge coached team, the Lady Rockets play fundamental man defense and play with a lot of guts. Unfortunately it looks like the Lady Rockets will have another short stay in the postseason unless they can pull over the biggest upset in the 2nd Region. Much like Christian County, Crittenden County will hope to gain valuable experience for next season as they will bring back their entire team.

 

Hopkinsville Lady Tigers

Overall Record: 20-10

Region Record: 15-2

Record vs. Other Region Tournament Teams: 8-1

The Lady Tigers are lead by late season transfer junior forward Janiya Davis (16.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG), senior center Farisia Hodge (12.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG) and senior guard JaEricka Grubbs (10.2 PPG). Davis may be the region's best prospect for the next level, standing 5'11 with a long wingspan and a well-rounded offensive game. Since ruled eligible, the Lady Tigers have lost only 2 games. Hodge is the #5 ranked rebounder in the state and is a matchup nightmare for teams that do not have the size to compete with her 6'2 frame. Grubbs is the team's biggest outside shooting threat and attacks the hoop well. Coach Anthony Babb has the biggest lineup in the region and he gets the most out of that length with their halfcourt zone defense. In order to beat the Lady Tigers, you must take good shots because there won't be many offensive rebound opportunities with the size they have from top to bottom. Their 1st round matchup is a rematch from the 1st game of the season against Webster County. A game that the Lady Tigers won 82-74 without the services of Janiya Davis.

 

Webster County Lady Trojans

Overall Record: 20-9

Region Record: 9-5

Record vs. Other Region Tournament Teams: 5-5

The Lady Trojans are lead by junior point guard Kaylee Duncan (14.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG), senior forward Hallie Gibson (11.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG) and freshman guard/forward Karlie Keeney (10.5 PPG). Duncan is the most physical guard in the region and can score attacking the hoop or shooting the 3 ball. Gibson is the lone senior on the team and may be the team's most lethal outside shooter when you look at her percentage (46.8%). Keeney has been one of the biggest surprises in the region and at times has looked like the Lady Trojans most talented player. They haven't been quite the same team since losing sophomore point guard Kelsey Payne to a knee injury, but Coach Parker McCalister gets the most out of his blue collar team despite how young they are. If you plan to beat Webster County you better be ready for a war. They may not look like the best athletes, but the Lady Trojans aren't afraid to play tight pressure defense and play very smart halfcourt offense. They play hard and aggressive and shoot the basketball better than any other team in the region (34.9 3PT% - ranked #10 in the state). Their 1st round matchup is a rematch from the 1st game of the season against a Hopkinsville team that did not have the services of Janiya Davis, while the Lady Trojans still had floor general Kelsey Payne.

A thriller and a dud tonight. Hopkins County Central separates from Lyon County late in the game to win 64-57. Lyon County shot the basketball very well but the Lady Storm pressure and athletes were just too much for them. Henderson County was never really challenged by Christian County in a 66-46 romp. The North Colonels opened the flood gates early and never looked back. I have to give it to the Lady Colonels from the South they put up a fight to keep the game respectable. It could have gotten very ugly very fast if they would have quit. Keep your heads up ladies. You will be a force to deal with next season.

What a game for Gilbert 22pts 20 Rebs, Owens had a ok night 19pts 9rebs. Dosent show up but what a great job by Carter and Chester breaking the press and feeding the post.

Gilbert was sensational! She plays like that the whole tourney, Henderson will be unbeatable in the region tourney this year!

Gilbert was sensational! She plays like that the whole tourney, Henderson will be unbeatable in the region tourney this year!

 

Regardless how she plays, The Northern Colonels have basically owned this region for years and 2016 no exception. There probably no better girls coach in the state than Jeff Haile year to year but the State Championship has managed to elude him.

Another thriller and a dud tonight. Madisonville-North Hopkins rolls over Crittenden County in a game that was very close late in the 2nd quarter. Webster County prevails over host Hopkinsville in a barn burner!

Great job by lady cols webster played hard gave them a good game.