This will be the second year in a row that Henderson County enters the season as an underdog. The question is will they play spoiler again? One could argue that the region belongs to them until someone dethrones them. However it is hard to argue with this season's favorite since they have proved they have what it takes to make the region finals, nearly walking away with the championship last season.

 

Preseason Team Rankings

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

1. Webster County (22-10; 11-6; Region Runner-Up)

The Lady Trojans lose only one senior from the team that was just one point shy of upsetting powerhouse Henderson County to earn a trip to NKU. Even thought they lose sharpshooting forward Hallie Gibson, they get back floor general Kelsey Payne (ACL injury in January). If Payne is 100% healthy it will be tough for anyone to take down the Lady Trojans in March. Her return allows the team's two best scorers, Kaylee Duncan and Karlie Keeney, to move back to their natural positions. The wildcard will be the team chemistry with new head coach Brandon Fisher.

2. Henderson County (18-10; 9-2; Region Champion)

The Lady Colonels from up north lose some size and leadership with the departures of power forward Mikayla Gilbert, point guard Samantha Carter and role player Michaela Polivick. However, Coach Haile can rest easy knowing that he still has one of the best centers in the state in Alisha Owens. Last season's injury woes for Samantha Carter could be beneficial this season since guards Breanna Chester and Jalee Carter got valuable experience directing the offense. Not to mention they also return the team's best shooter Emma Lander. There's no doubt that a school the size of Henderson County also has some young talent waiting in the wings. Don't expect the Lady Colonels to fall much at all.

3A. Christian County (12-16; 7-7; Region Quarterfinals)

The Lady Colonels from the south only lose one player from last season (Amari Brodie transferred to Hopkinsville) but add some new faces that came out for new coach KiKi Radford. The sophomore and junior class is very deep and gained valuable varsity experience last season. Shooting guard Aaliyah Hampton has established herself as one of the region's best scorers and point guard Laderia Gold has been a consistent contributor from her starting position the past two seasons. The player that may decide whether or not Christian County contends for region championship is 6-3 center Trinity Jackson.

3B. Hopkinsville (20-11; 15-3; Region Quarterfinals)

The Lady Tigers lost one of the best rebounders in the state (Farisia Hodge) and must replace their starting point guard JaEricka Grubbs, as well as several other role players. Coach Babb does return one of the best players in the region with forward Janiya Davis and still has the biggest lineup in the region. Surrounding Davis will be several athletic guards and a lot of size inside, starting with 6-3 center Zakyra Stallworth. Hopkinsville also adds a transfer (Amari Brodie) that is a good wing defender. The biggest question mark will be the same as it was last season - will this team have chemistry with so many new faces in the lineup?

5A. Madisonville-North Hopkins (23-5; 13-2; Region Semifinals)

Gone are region MVP Adarian Gray and fellow graduates Shaniya Whitsell, Shyia Foster and T'Aliyah Sherman from a team that looked poised to dethrone Henderson County last season. Back for the Lady Maroons is 6-0 All-Region center Molly Stone and returning starters Irelane Enoch and Jayda Civils. They also get back a key piece from their team two years ago with the return of 6-0 center Kalveona Pepper who spent last season playing high school basketball in Arkansas and AAU for Hopkinsville's Kentucky Heat. The Lady Maroons have maybe the best post game in the region but the question will be guard play, depth and how they respond to new head coach Jeff Duvall.

5B. Hopkins County Central (18-15; 12-7; Region Semifinals)

The Lady Storm lose one of the best backcourts in the region from last season with the graduation of point guard Lyric Campbell and shooting guard MaKayla Campbell, in addition to losing forward Keyasia Combs. They do return forward Talana Hardy and guards Nykea Ikeard and Rickara Hughes. Coach Todd Webb may find comfort in his uptempo style of play which allowed the Lady Storm to play 10 or more players each game. Some of those role players from last season will have to step up if they expect to region a top tier team in the region.

7. Crittenden County (15-16; 12-12; Region Quarterfinals)

Coach Shannon Hodge has been a constant on the Crittenden County sidelines for many years and this season she will have the comfort of returning her entire team from a year ago. Cassidy Moss has been a consistent scorer for the Lady Rockets the past two seasons and, if her supporting cast benefits from a year of varsity experience, we should see Crittenden reclaim their district from Lyon County.

8. Livingston Central (13-14; 7-9; District Tournament)

New head coach Jim Parks inherits a team that loses no seniors to graduation from a year ago and looks to be in the middle of a 3 team war for the district crown. Back for the Lady Cardinals is All-Region forward Tabby Padon and shooting guard Kalynn Campbell. If the defending "All A" region champions build on last season's success, they could pose the biggest threat to Crittenden County.

9. Lyon County (22-8; 18-5; Region Quarterfinals)

The Lady Lyons must figure out how to replace their heart and soul from last season (Melanie PPool and Rebecaa Somers) but you can't count a Jeff Doom coached team out of the district race. Top returning player Allison Murphy will turn to senior Terrianna Johnson and a slew of young players for help. This season's success will most likely depend on the contributions from last year's role players and this year's new faces on the roster.

10. Caldwell County (6-23; 6-14; District Tournament)

The Lady Tigers got better as the season went on and showed some promise in their young players from a year ago. Coach Malissa Thomas will need her young team to progress quickly if they hope to contend with Madisonville-North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central for the district. Expect the Lady Tigers to continue improving and be a tougher out than they were a year ago.

11. University Heights (6-19; 4-9; District Tournament)

Coach Taylor Sparks will have to replace his most versatile scorer (Makenzi Hamby) but returns hard-working overachiever Jordon Hornbuckle who is more like a coach on the floor. The Lady Blazers are also rumored to have scorer Anshanique Leavell back on the team which can greatly improve their chances of competing with other teams in the region. It will be a tall order however if they hope to unseat Christian County and Hopkinsville.

12. Union County (11-18; 5-9; District Tournament)

Gone are leading scorer Randi Conway, leading rebounder Devisha Williams and head coach Shane Smith (new boys head coach at Union County). Returning for the Bravettes will be undersized sharpshooter Victoria French, who produces at a high volume despite her small size, and point Kiara Campbell. How successful the Bravettes will be this season will heavily depend on the health of Kiara Campbell (returning from ACL) and how they respond to new head coach Bill Price. Expect them to be competitive but it would be hard to imagine them upsetting the top two teams in the region within their district.

13. Trigg County (11-15; 2-12; District Tournament)

The Lady Cats only won 2 games last season in a rebuilding effort that will continue this season under new head coach Cory Coble. They will have to replace leading scorer JaKashea Martin and Taylor Gray but do return Lauren Oliver to lead the rebuilding effort.

14. Dawson Springs (11-17; 3-15; District Tournament)

Coach Amanda Scott lead the Lady Panthers to one of their best seasons in recent memory but the loss of some key seniors will hinder their ascension up the rankings.

15. Fort Campbell (3-22; 1-13; District Tournament)

Unfortunately my preview for Coach Arnika Brown's team remains a mystery. The Lady Falcons had a tough season last year and lose post presence Brianna Smith and guard Shay Mayfield. Unless a talented transfer emerges expect the rebuild to continue.

 

Preseason Player Rankings

Rank Player (Class) - Team (Statistics)

1. Alisha Owens (SR) - Henderson County (12.5 PPG; 6.0 RPG; 59.6% FG)

2. Janiya Davis (SR) - Hopkinsville (17.2 PPG; 8.2 RPG; 53% FG)

3. Kaylee Duncan (SR) - Webster County (13.9 PPG; 5.9 RPG; 40.7% 3PT)

4. Molly Stone (SR) - Madisonville-North Hopkins (8.7 PPG; 11.3 RPG)

5. Karlie Keeney (SO) - Webster County (10.3 PPG; 3.8 RPG; 39.1% 3PT)

6. Cassidy Moss (SR) - Crittenden County (15.6 PPG; 9.5 RPG)

7. Jordon Hornbuckle (SR) - University Heights (14.6 PPG; 10.0 RPG)

8. Tabby Padon (JR) - Livingston Central (16.3 PPG; 8.9 RPG; 32% 3PT)

9. Emma Lander (SR) - Henderson County (11.6 PPG; 4.8 RPG; 32% 3PT)

10. Talana Hardy (SR) - Hopkins County Central (11.3 PPG; 9.7 RPG)

11. Aaliyah Hampton (SO) - Christian County (14.0 PPG; 4.4 RPG)

12. Jessica Winders (JR) - Webster County (8.0 PPG; 7.0 RPG)

13. Nykea Ikeard (SO) - Hopkins County Central (5.9 PPG; 3.4 RPG)

14. Kelsey Payne (JR) - Webster County (6.2 PPG)

15. Breanna Chester (SR) - Henderson County (6.4 PPG)

16. Laderia Gold (JR) - Christian County (10.3 PPG; 32.3% 3PT)

17. Trinitee Jackson (JR) - Christian County (8.7 PPG; 6.7 RPG)

18. Zakyra Stallworth (JR) - Hopkinsville (2.3 PPG; 3.9 RPG)

19. Lauren Oliver (JR) - Trigg County (8.5 PPG; 10.6 RPG)

20. Irelane Enoch (SR) - Madisonville-North Hopkins (6.7 PPG; 4.5 RPG)

Well done WKY.

Going to be a fun year, hoptown beat webster 37-29.

Number one Webster gets beat and Henderson didn't look great in their 17pt win at Apollo.

Christian County girls haven't played well either. They lost to a weak Muhlenburg County team by 1 and trailed most of the game against Hopkins County Central. I also heard that Hopkinsville also trailed most of the game against a weak Logan County team. This could be the year where the team with the best draw takes the region.

Christian County girls haven't played well either. They lost to a weak Muhlenburg County team by 1 and trailed most of the game against Hopkins County Central. I also heard that Hopkinsville also trailed most of the game against a weak Logan County team. This could be the year where the team with the best draw takes the region.

 

Well I thought a 17 pt win over Apollo wasn't great then they beat Owensboro Cathlioc so maybe it was a nice win but Owens had just 3pts. Then Owens put up 23 on Marshall on the road so two nice road wins. Real test this week castle ind, Bullitt East, Cambell County.

Henderson past test number one with a nice win over castle 62-50, still wouldn't be surprised if they lose next three play number 5 and 18 in ky and number 6 in Indiana as long as they stay close Henderson should before Christmas be number one in region and Hoptown 2 then Webster 3.

Good win for Hendo. Kudos to coaching staff for playing such a tough schedule. I have always thought until Henderson loses they deserve to be number one. Not sure that I would put too much into the Hopkinsville win over Webster in first game of the season. I think Hoptown beat them last year in the first game of the season in Dixon.

Glad jay Davis will not call any district games in Caldwell co

Glad jay Davis will not call any district games in Caldwell co

 

Okay I'll bite. Why is that?

Lady cols with a great win over Bullit East. Owens had 28 pts 7 Rebs.

He is a hometown boy that cannot get up the court like he used to. It was sad last night to watch him. Most refs do not know when to hang it up.