2006-07 Girls Basketball Preview

[The Scribe]

Every region is previewed along with the top players in each region as compiled by some of the state's best writers.

 

Click HERE for the preview

[theguru]

First Region

 

1. Marshall County: The defending regional champions are loaded for a repeat with one of the state’s best sets of forwards in 6-1 sophomore Jessica Holder and 5-11 senior Pressley Doom.

 

Holder is a talented scorer who can post up, rebound, and score from the 3-point line, and Doom often assumes a playmaker role from the wing -- a player that can penetrate and create scoring opportunities for her teammates.

 

Jordan Gilland, a capable backup point guard as a freshman, moves into a starter’s role alongside Kayci Beasley, whose development as a scorer got the Lady Marshals over the regional hump last season.

 

Taylor Singery, out last season with a knee injury, could emerge as a consistent scorer, and Marshall has the region’s deepest squad.

 

2. Paducah Tilghman: Two transfer guards help make the Lady Tornado a quick, athletic team that can cause matchup problems.

 

Forward Jeriesha Hayes and guard Ali Watson were key players on Tilghman’s final four team of 2005. Hayes is a good rebounder that can score from the perimeter, and Watson is a capable scorer and defender who will look to assert herself more on the offensive end.

 

Jarobia Hill is an athletic forward who emerged as a dependable scorer and rebounder last season. Natalie Shumpert, last year’s point guard, is quick and athletic.

 

Bionca Hill, who moved in from Mississippi, could become a scorer and creator, and guard Kelsey Bradford is a good defender who came off the bench for a state tournament team in Illinois as a freshman.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

Second Region

 

Scott Brown

WKDZ Radio

 

Henderson County and Christian County have combined to win the last six Region Two titles. Union County (2000) was the last team other than either Lady Colonel squad to hoist the region title trophy.

 

 

With four starters back from a 20-11 team that advanced to the region championship, the Bravettes appear ready to dethrone district and region rival Henderson County.

 

Head coach Scott Ricks has a pair of 13-point scorers returning in 5-11 senior Ashley Word (13 ppg., 10 rpg.) and 5-9 senior Clarissa Houston (13 ppg., 5 rpg.).

 

 

Senior point guard Kayla Rose (9 ppg., 4.1 apg.) also returns for Union County, who is the only Second Region school to ever win a state title (1996).

 

“The seniors should do well. I have six of them and all will get playing time,” said Ricks, who will intertwine a talented freshman class into the mix.

 

 

Union County has beefed up their schedule some as well, playing in tournaments in Indiana and Owensboro as well as hosting Region One power Marshall County (Jan. 19), Region Three contender Muhlenberg North (Jan. 22), and playing Region Four favorite Franklin-Simpson (Feb. 10).

 

“We just have to stay focused every game on what we want to do,” Ricks said.

 

 

Union County will get two looks at their top competition – district rival Henderson County – during the year.

 

The Lady Colonels (19-11) lost to Union County in the Sixth District title game but rebounded to beat them 58-51 for their second consecutive region title.

 

 

Head coach Jeff Haile enters his 21st season on the Henderson bench having to replace three starters, including leading scorer Sierra Gilbert.

 

Junior guard Rinesha Soaper (15.9 ppg., 3.7 rpg.) led the Lady Colonels in steals and will be one of the centerpieces of Haile’s up-tempo offense.

 

 

5-10 junior Whitney Bingemer returns in the frontcourt after averaging 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds.

 

Six-foot sophomore Alyse Poindexter, the team’s second-leading rebounder, should be ready to move into the starter’s role after scoring nearly four points a game last year.

 

Top Players

 

5. Allison Mussato – Lyon County – Runs the floor well and tough to keep off the boards

 

6. Shana McCombs – Christian County – Lightning fast guard who will be called upon to shoulder more of the offensive burden this year

 

 

7. Alyse Poindexter – Henderson County – May prove to be the region’s most improved player at season’s end

 

8. Chelsea Mills – Dawson Springs – Always finds a way to get to the basket and score or rebound

 

 

9. Olivia Akridge – Lyon County – A one-person press-breaker who has a knack for finding the open player

 

10. Melly Heaton – Caldwell County – Solid inside-outside player who can slash to the basket

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

Third Region

 

Mark Mathis

Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

 

4. Muhlenberg North (25-7) The Lady Stars have won the regional seven out of the last nine years, but they faced a huge question mark to start the season.

 

Center Rachel Underwood had knee surgery in late August and it isn’t known whether she will be able to play this season. The junior averaged 10.6 points and 6.2 rebounds a game and was one of the most experienced returning players for North.

 

“We will find out before December,” North coach Mike Harper said. “That’s

when they will tell her what she can start doing. There’s a chance she could be out for the season. Without her, we could be pretty small.”

 

Heather Mitchell is a senior guard who passed for 102 assists last year and

scored 8.4 points a game.

 

“We will be starting four guards every game,” Harper said. “It’s going to be

a challenge.”

 

5. Grayson County (23-8) The Lady Cougars have their own version of high scoring and slick passing Bird -- Brittany Bird.

 

The 5-3 senior has scored more than 15 points a game for the last two seasons and has been starting since the seventh grade.

 

“They’re very dangerous,” North’s Harper said. “Bird has been playing for a

long time. They have a nice team.”

 

Senior Molly Beeler also scored more than 10 points a game in each of the

last two seasons.

 

Top Players

1. Janae Howard, Owensboro, 6-1, forward, junior -- Could become one of the best players in the state by the end of the season.

 

2. Whitney Odum, Apollo, 5-8, guard, senior -- An explosive scorer and strong defender who will lead the E-Gals.

 

3. Lauren Goff, Ohio County, 5-7, guard, senior -- Knows how to shoot and run her team as a three-year starter.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

Fourth Region

 

Mark Mathis

Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

 

1. Franklin-Simpson (25-5) The Cook family tradition runs deep at Franklin-Simpson.

 

 

Guard Kelleshia Cook is one of the top players in the region. Her mother, Kelli Cook, was a strong guard for F-S and family member Veronica played at Western Kentucky University.

 

Kelli now sits on the bench as an assistant coach for Lex Lindsey.

 

“That family is very basketball oriented,” Lindsey said. “Cook comes from

pretty good lineage.”

 

Kelleshia Cook scored 17 points in the first round Sweet Sixteen win over

Muhlenberg North, and she fouled out with 6:45 left in the game. But she is not the only player the Lady Wildcats rely on.

 

Rachel Swisher, a 6-3 senior, plays in the middle. Brittany Payne, Cheyenne Brown and Drea Gooch are also good players for F-S.

 

“I like my team,” Lindsey said. “We’ve got four starters back and the young kids really improved. Last year we were a great defensive team, pretty good at pressing people. I think we’re better offensively. We hit more 3s in scrimmages than we hit all last year.”

 

Top Players

6. Rachel Swisher, Franklin-Simpson, 6-3, center, senior - A tough player to stop in the paint.

 

7. Bethany Spillman, Barren County, 6-foot, forward, senior - A big-time rebounder averaged 12 boards a game.

 

 

8. Shae Dalton, Allen County-Scottsville, 5-7, forward, senior - Averaged a double-double scoring and rebounding until knee injury ended her season.

 

9. Deandra Anthony, Warren Central, 5-6, guard, senior - Could lead Lady Dragons to regional prominence.

 

 

10. Laura Anderson, Monroe County, 5-7, guard, senior - An outstanding 3-point and free throw specialist for a 30-3 team last year.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

Fifth Region

 

By Taylor Hardin

Special to Bluegrasspreps.com

 

5. Nelson County (24-6) claimed the 19th District championship and fell to eventual region champ Elizabethtown by three points in the second round of the region tournament. With four starters back, including one of the top inside players in the region, new coach Kelly Wood is hopeful the Lady Cardinals can claim the school’s first region title since 1990.

 

Wood, who is also the Nelson County baseball coach, will look to feed the basketball to 6-0 senior Amy Kurtz as much as possible. Kurtz suffered a knee injury in the district title game but should be ready to lead Nelson in scoring for a second straight season.

 

6. Adair County (16-12) returns the most experience in the region, with head coach James Turner returning all five starters from last year’s team that won the 20th District title.

 

7. Marion County (7-21) has a new coach – Trent Milby – who comes to Lebanon from Caverna. Also coming from Caverna is junior Tacarra Hayes, who averaged 22.2 points and 8.2 rebounds.

 

 

Top Players

 

1. Hope Brown (North Hardin)

 

2. Megan Issacs (Hart County)

 

3. Tacarra Hayes (Marion County)

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

Sixth Region

 

By Charles Taylor

Special to Bluegrasspreps.com

 

Iroquois has downed Butler six times in eight meetings during the past two seasons, ousting the Bearettes in the Sixth Region final both seasons.

 

Now, both teams are back and loaded again but there’s a third squad – Fairdale – who is hoping to join the party this postseason.

 

And coaches in the region agree.

 

Iroquois is a slight pick to win the title, followed closely by Butler and Fairdale in a region that is getting stronger and more balanced each season.

 

Holy Cross and Bullitt East are two other teams that could challenge.

 

 

Top Players

 

6. Tiara Hopper, Butler, 5-10, So.

Comment: Might have the most raw talent of anybody in Louisville.

 

7. Elizabeth Shuler, Holy Cross, 5-10, Jr.

Comment: Came on strong in the end last season.

 

8. Whitney Hanley, Bullitt East, 5-9, Jr.

Comment: Solid guard tops good Bullitt County contingent.

 

9. Kayla Hickman, Iroquois, 5-7, So.

Comment: Shooter, passer and all-around solid player.

 

10. Stafonia Taylor, 5-6, So.

Comment: The best long-ranger shooter in the region.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

Seventh Region

 

By Charles Taylor

Special to Bluegrasspreps.com

 

Two years removed from one of the greatest runs in girls’ basketball history, the Sacred Heart Academy basketball program is looking to start another streak.

 

The Valkyries won three straight state titles from 2002-04 and are the Seventh Region favorites once again after losing to Mercy in last year’s regional final.

 

Coach Donna Moir has her entire roster back from last season, including All-Stater Elizabeth Campbell, and she’s added some key newcomers.

 

But as is usual in the Seventh Region, it won’t be easy.

 

Manual is also a top-10 team in the state, while Assumption, Mercy and Fern Creek are all top-20 teams and several others could challenge.

 

Once again, the region is perhaps the state’s toughest from top-to-bottom.

 

4. MERCY JAGUARS – Veteran coach Mark Evans won the regional title last season but then lost four starters and several other key reserves.

 

But still coaches know Evans and his fast-paced program will be among the state’s elite no matter what the talent level is at Mercy.

 

Shawna Culver averaged six points last season and is the lone senior, while junior Katie Wiedmar is the one lone starter back on the roster.

 

Junior Hope Thomas is the tallest player in the program at 6-1, while juniors Amy Wimsatt, Paige Kaelin and Lara Protenic are all key figures.

 

Kelly Cox is another junior but will miss time because of a knee injury.

 

5. FERN CREEK LADY TIGERS – The Lady Tigers burst onto the scene last season with 15 wins and look to improve on that this season.

 

Junior Monique Reid averaged 23 points, 13 rebounds and six assists a game and is one of the state’s top juniors. She could vie for regional Player of the Year honors.

 

Junior Sherrice Gaines, who is back after a knee injury, will join Reid as the top players. Tiffany Moses and Angelina Patrick are other top juniors.

 

6. BALLARD LADY BRUINS – Coach Ken Smith might have the best pure point guard in the region – Tedra Elliott – and one of the areas unknown players – Jade Barber.

 

The 5-6 Elliott is a three-year starter and averaged 11 points and six assists as a junior. She’s a Division I player who can do just about anything on the court.

 

The 6-2 Barber is a tall and lanky transfer from Waggener. She sat out last season but is drawing major college interest, including the University of Connecticut.

 

Seniors Petre Freeman and Diamond Metcalfe and junior Amy Lomax are other players that Smith said he could count on.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

Eighth Region

 

By Mickey Jackson

Special to Bluegrasspreps.com

 

The Eighth Region might not be the strongest from top-to-bottom across the state but there’s a lot of parity at the top of the heap.

 

In fact, there’s so much that coaches can’t decide on a favorite.

 

Defending regional champion Shelby County has some holes to fill but will still be a solid squad, while Anderson County and Simon Kenton will be serious challengers.

 

South Oldham, Carroll County and Oldham County all have a chance to contend, while several other teams could surprise.

 

1. Shelby County – Coach Sally Zimmerman has a few holes to fill with the graduation of regional Player of the Year Amanda Green and sensational freshman Antonia Slaughter, who transferred to Christian Academy.

 

But Zimmerman also has some talent left in the fold.

 

Raechele Gray and Amber Morrison are both double-figure scorers and All-Region type performers for the Lady Rockets. Gray is a 5-foot-4 junior who can get up and go, while the 5-8 Morrison is solid all-around.

 

Seniors Ashley Ford and Heather Axline need to show leadership.

 

 

Top Players

 

2. Rachelle Gray, Shelby County, 5-4, Jr.

Comment: Overshadowed last year by Amanda Green, it’s her time to shine.

 

4. Erin McKee, Anderson County, 6-0, Jr.

Comment: Perhaps the most athletic post in the region.

 

6. Chelsea Tolliver, Simon Kenton, 5-7, So.

Comment: A sensational slasher just gets it done.

 

8. Lindsay Melton, Oldham County, 6-0, Jr.

Comment: The best Lady Colonel to come along in a while.

 

10. Ally Byrd, South Oldham, 5-5, Jr.

Comment: One of the state’s top soccer players; the regions best defender.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

Ninth Region

 

By Dave Pugh

Special to Bluegrasspreps.com

 

1. Boone County- This summer Coach Nell Fookes was recognized by her coaching peers across all sports as the best coach in Northern Kentucky, in a survey compiled by the Kentucky Enquirer. Coach Fookes is looking to add to that resume as she enters her 22nd season with a talented roster returning.

 

The Lady Rebels will be heavily favored to repeat as region champion.

 

Unlike last year, where Notre Dame was the heavy favorite, the Lady Rebels will start the season at the top. However, the journey will be tough.

 

Boone County’s schedule includes five teams outside the region who will be ranked in the state’s top 20. Boone County returns a nice group of underclassman, including Katie Behrens, who has transferred from Holy Cross. The Rebels will be led on the perimeter, by sophomore Jacey Bradley, a dynamic point guard, who came on strong late in the season to earn the MVP of the 9th region Tourney.

 

Joana Switzer will be the backcourt mate of Bradley’s, and is a tenacious defender who can penetrate and the the outside jumper.

 

Junior Katie Behrens will add depth and talent to an already solid frontline.

 

There are a pair of 6’2 froncourt players in Cheryl Findley and Lacey Brasseaux. Brasseaux was particularly strong during the unlikely Rebel-run to the region title last season. In addition, Jackie Hicks will return for her senior season, and bring her double-figure average and senior leadership.

 

2. Notre Dame-The Pandas must overcome the departure of 3 seniors off of last year’s region runner-up.

 

Coach Cheryl Darpel will count of seniors Emily Drees, 6’2 and Nicole Dickman, 6’0, to lead the team.

 

In the backcourt, sophomore guard Casey Jackson, will lead the way, and will provide NDA with a shooting weapon from behind the arc. Katie Tierney is a 5’8 swing guard who provides athleticism, with penetration ability as well as being a three-point threat. Notre Dame will be the favored to capture the 35th District crown.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

10th Region

 

By Nick Campbell

Special to Bluegrasspreps.com

 

For the past few seasons, Montgomery County and Mason County have battled down to the wire for the 10th Region title. Both times, Montgomery County won out.

 

1. Mason County is looking to knock the Lady Indians from atop the region mountain and advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1987.

 

Mason County (24-8) returns two of the region’s top players in guard Lacey Cline (15.4 ppg.) and center De’Sarae Chambers (14.1 ppg., 7.9 rpg.).

 

Head coach Paula Buser also has another double-digit scorer returning in junior Kasey Litzinger (11.5 ppg.), who teamed with Cline to bury more than 70 3-pointers last year.

 

The Lady Royals won 11 of 12 games before falling to region nemesis Montgomery County in the second round of the region tournament.

 

2. Montgomery County (28-7) won 13 of 14 games against 10th Region foes, losing only to George Rogers Clark in early December.

 

Head coach John High returns four starters from last year’s Sweet 16 quarterfinal team that won 16 of 17 games before their season-ending loss to Iroquois.

 

5-10 senior Courtney Danis averaged 14.3 points and 6.3 rebounds a game for the Lady Indians, whose up-tempo style scored 61 points a game.

 

Maggie Prewitt, a 5-8 junior, scored 14 points in Montgomery’s region final win over Mason County and averaged 12 points a game last year.

 

Senior guard Jenna High (7.7 ppg.) and senior forward Natasha Thomas (4.7 ppg.) also return for Montgomery County, who have flexed their 10th Region muscles by winning six titles in the past decade.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

11th Region

 

By Ron Harrison

Special to Bluegrasspreps.com

 

The 11th Region should be extremely competitive this season with several challengers poised to challenge defending region and state champion Lexington Catholic for their crown.

 

The region consists of 17 teams divided into four districts (41st, 42nd, 43rd, and 44th). The 41st District consists of Frankfort, Franklin County, Western Hills, and Woodford County. The 42nd District consists of Bryan Station, Henry Clay, Sayre, and Scott County. The 43rd District consists of Lafayette, Lexington Catholic, Lexington Christian Academy, Paul L. Dunbar, and Tates Creek. The 44th District consists of Berea, Madison Central, Madison Southern, and Model.

 

The information included in this preview comes from coaches as well as personal observations from last season and over the summer.

 

11. Western Hills (14-15): Coach Kevin Radford’s Lady Wolverines finished 14-15 last season. Western Hills graduated two key performers but return some talented players. 5-6 Jr. 2-guard April Lancaster can score off the dribble or with a mid-range jump shot and is solid defensively.

 

5-7 So. Tara Arnold is a quick point guard with decent size for the position. The Lady Wolverines have good size inside with two 6-0 seniors, Jessica Frye and Alyson Williams. The final position and depth will probably come from some of the underclassmen.

 

Coach Radford wants to play an uptempo style and will need to replace some of the scoring lost to graduation and develop depth in his rotation.

 

12. Madison Southern (15-12): Coach Brian Cunigan enters his first season as head coach of the Lady Eagles. They return all five starters and should have a combination of depth and experience to be very competitive this season.

 

Top returning players include 5-4 Jr. guard Nikki Jeck (12.6 ppg), who dishes out 7.4 assists per game, 5-6 Sr. forward Sierra Merida (7.8 ppg), 5-4 Sr. guard Paige McGuire, 5-5 Sr. forward Tiffany Willis, and 5-8 So. Brittany Calhoun.

 

13. Sayre (20-9): Coach Scott Sutton graduated two seniors from last year’s squad. 5-9 Meg Grossman who graduated led the Lady Spartans in scoring, rebounding, and steals. However, Sayre returns four starters who have combined for 285 career starts.

 

5-8 Sr. Lizzie Youngblood is a floor general who can hit the three-pointer. She averaged 6 ppg last season. 6-0 Sr. Logan Marksbury (7.0 ppg) returns at a forward slot. Emma Lofgren is a 5-9 Sr. swingman who averaged 5.0 ppg.

 

6-3 Jr. Samantha Bowie averaged 10 ppg and 5 rpg last season and recorded 78 blocks. Blocked shots are not a rarity for Miss Bowie as she recorded 92 blocks as a freshman.

 

The other starter will either be 5-5 So. Karly Mitchell or 5-6 So. Charlotte Cornett. Both play hard and play the 2-guard position.

 

14. Berea (13-14): The Lady Pirates have not had a senior on their roster for two years and this season they only have one senior. Although this team is young on paper they have played together for two years gaining experience.

 

Coach Bingham expects their half court defense to be strong this season. 5-11 So. guard/forward Elizabeth Horn averaged 17.6 ppg and 13.2 rpg last season. Horn has tallied 1018 points and 763 rebounds in her still-young career. 5-10 Jr. forward Chelsea Atwater added 11.5 ppg and 9.0 rpg last season. Guards 5-4 Sr. Amanda Thacher (8.2 ppg), and 5-8 So. Brittany Harris (5.3 ppg) recorded 57 and 39 three pointers respectively last season. 5-6 Fr. guard Brooke Hazelwood averaged 4.9 ppg. 5-7 So. guard/forward Haley Webb transferred in and is quick and athletic, allowing her to play both inside and out.

 

Other players expected to contribute include 5-10 So. forward Chelsea Saylor, 5-5 8th grade guard Rachel Wilder, 5-10 7th grade center Sophia Shearer, 5-4 So. forward Bethany Hall, and 5-2 So. guard Samantha Woodard.

 

15. Frankfort (6-20): Coach Candi Roten’s Lady Panthers will enter the season attempting to improve their record with a mixture of veterans and underclassmen. Some of the key contributors are expected to be 5-9 Sr. Ashleigh Boone, 5-7 Sr. Danielle Butler, 5-5 So. Audri Douglas, 6-1 Jr. Dana Green, 5-6 So. Rachel Williams, 5-5 Fr. Shanice Brown, and 5-6 Sr. Najee Brown.

 

16. Model (3-25): Coach Steven Minter’s Lady Patriots graduated their top scorer Kendra Ritter from last year’s squad but should have most of their team returning for this season. Some of the key players should be 5-8 Jr. Chelsea Weaver, 5-4 Sr. Kathryn Engle, 5-8 Sr. Lauren Heath, and 5-7 Jr. Kristina Ritter. Several underclassmen should log quality minutes this season.

 

17. Tates Creek (2-24): Coach Justin Cheatham took over last season after Tates Creek had graduated seven talented seniors and faced a monumental rebuilding task. Other players have left the team since then, but Coach Cheatham is very enthusiastic about the girls who remained and some of the promising young players entering the program. 5-9 Sr. Nikki Durman is an aggressive presence in the paint.

 

5-8 Jr. Marquis Axtell has the ability to score both inside and out. 5-7 Sr. Spenser Davis is a three point threat and 5-5 So. Kyleigh Kreyenbuhl is a hard working aggressive point guard. 5-10 Fr. Jasmine Franklin is a promising young post player and 5-7 Fr. Lizza Jonas is a quick, aggressive lock-down defender. Coach Cheatham preaches patience and realizes he is rebuilding but is enthused about building the program.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

12th Region

 

By Mike Marsee

The (Danville) Advocate-Messenger

 

Everybody's picking on the new kids.

 

Rockcastle County has only been in the 12th Region for one year, yet the rest of the region's coaches have tabbed the Lady Rockets as the team to beat.

 

Of course, that's because Rockcastle won the region last season, giving it three straight titles counting the two it won in the 13th Region before realignment. And it's because the Lady Rockets return most of the players who were part of last year's title run.

 

"Rockcastle is No. 1, and after that there are maybe five teams that could all be No. 2," Somerset coach Chris Adkins said.

 

Rockcastle coach Chrysti Noble doesn't want to hear that, saying her team was lucky to make it to Bowling Green last season.

 

There will be plenty of teams trying to shoot down the Lady Rockets before they can make their fourth straight trip to Diddle Arena. And like Rockcastle, several of those teams return most of last year's key players.

 

Here's a look at Rockcastle and some of the teams trying to take its place:

 

 

Top Players

 

Lindsey Waters, McCreary Central, 6-0 Jr. C

Waters can score and rebound with the best of them, and better than most players her size.

 

Sarah Rowe, Rockcastle County, 5-9 So. G

Rowe starred as a freshman and will try to lead Rockcastle to a fourth straight regional crown.

 

Tasha Milby, Danville, 5-7 Jr. G

Milby scored almost half of Danville's points last season and should average over 20 again.

 

Caiti Cowan, Somerset, 5-9 Sr. G

Somerset missed Cowan terribly last season and should be much better now that she's back from a knee injury.

 

Jasi Flynn, Southwestern, 5-10 Sr. F

Flynn will lead the way as Southwestern rises toward the top of the region.

 

Shakelia Miller, Lincoln County, 5-5 Sr. G

Miller figures to emerge as the leader of an otherwise young Lincoln team.

 

Devin Fothergill, Southwestern, 5-8 So. G

Fothergill's production should only increase for the Lady Warriors.

 

Mary Saylor, Rockcastle County, 5-6 So. G

She may be small, but Saylor will be a big part of the Lady Rockets' success.

 

Tori Alcorn, Boyle County, 6-0 Sr. C

Alcorn should follow a breakout season with an even bigger year in the middle for Boyle.

 

Kara Weddle, Casey County, 5-10 Jr. C

Weddle figures to score more for Casey, and she'll also have to be bigger on the boards.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

13th Region

 

By Peter W. Zubaty

London Sentinel-Echo

 

This year's 13th Region race is as wide open as it's been in a few years.

 

Two teams stick out as favorites, but both have big questions about them, which could leave the door open for a number of intriguing contenders.

 

5. Whitley County (19-8) lost their all-time leading rebounder in Kayla Haynes, but the Larry Anderson's Colonels return sharpshooter Stephanie McCullah (12.6 ppg), one of the top players in the region.

 

The Colonels will need increased production in the post from long-armed Amanda Brimm (7.9 ppg) to make up for the loss of Haynes. They also return guard Kayla Osborne to the starting lineup.

 

6. Jackson County (15-11) improved tremendously last season, and with everybody returning, could be poised for another big step forward.

 

Sophomore Kourtney Tyra has started since she was a seventh-grader, and averaged nearly 18 points a game last year. She's one of the top point guards in a region loaded with solid lead guards.

 

7. Corbin (28-4) lost several key players from last year's region runner-up, but they return starters Mikkah Rogers and Brittany Jackson, and figure to improve throughout the season as new players learn on the job under coach Jennifer Parsons.

 

8. Knox Central (20-10) suffered a devastating loss to South Laurel in the region tourney last year, but they get most of their team back.

 

Wendi Messer (18.3 ppg), a 6-0 guard, is perhaps the region's top player. Point guard Ashley Sizemore has an endless supply of hustle.

 

9. Cawood (14-13) returns a deep backcourt, led by junior Emily Boggs (10.9 ppg). The Trojans will have questions in the frontcourt, however.

 

10. Bell County (19-12) will need Katie Dixon, Ashley Frady and Kristen Baker to step up big-time to help the Bobcats overcome the loss of scoring machine Brooke Smith.

 

Click here for the complete preview!

[theguru]

14th Region

 

By Perry L. Powell

Special to Bluegrasspreps.com

 

Perry Central has been the premier team in the 14th Region in recent years, but the new kid on the block won the title last year.

 

Newly consolidated Letcher County Central claimed the title but must replace four starters.

 

5. Leslie County (14-16) returns three starters from last year’s team that gelled slowly under new coach Dwight Lewis.

 

Senior guard Ciara Stidham (13.8 ppg., 7.9 apg.) returns to run the Lady Eagle offense, while senior Beth Lewis is back in the middle after scoring 14.7 points and grabbing 8.3 rebounds a game last year.

 

Leslie County is looking to return to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1986.

 

6. Wolfe County (18-13) is another team that could make a strong postseason run.

 

Top Players

 

6. Beth Lewis (Leslie County)

 

7. Brittani Slone (Hazard)

 

8. Ashley Sexton (Letcher County Central)

 

9. Morgan Burton (Wolfe County)

 

10. Jamie Noble (Cordia)

 

Click here for the complete preview!