It’s never too early to talk about basketball in the bluegrass. I am slowly learning more about girls basketball in the 8th region. What I have learned is this —- Simon Kenton and Anderson County have owned the region the last 18-20 years.  Every now and then there is a surprise but it’s usually one of them cutting the nets down in March. Any thoughts on next year from anyone? Here is my Top 10 rankings for the region going into next year.
 

1. Simon Kenton- Coach Stowers can flat out coach and they always seem to have talent . I believe they will be the heavy favorites returning their top 5 scorers.

2. Anderson County- never count Coach Clay B. out. They did lose their top 2 scorers including the regional player of year. However, the culture is set and winning is expected. They have some young talent that will make a huge impact .

3. Woodford County- if they can keep the momentum going from this past year then the Yellowjackets will be able to beat anyone this coming season. They return their top 5 scorers .  This is a team that won 18 game and only lost to Anderson by 1 point in their second matchup of the season.  Gonna be interesting to see how good this group can be.

4. Walton Verona - they did lose two very talented seniors but return their leading scorer. For a team that won 20 games to return your leading scorer is something for their community to be excited about. A few younger girls will need to step up if they want to compete 

5. South Oldham- I was going to put their in the 3rd or 4th spot but a little birdie told me their point guard has quit to focus on softball. That is a huge blow to the team.  Madison Young will be the front runner for Regional Player of the year. Along with her, the Dragons will rely heavily on sharp shooter Brynn Brickley.  

6. Spencer County- year in and year old one of the best coached teams in the region. They lost a few key pieces but have some talent coming back. They will be able to compete with anyone on any given night.

7. Grant County- Shawn West does a great job of getting his girls to play hard for 32 min.  Not sure they will have the talent to compete with the top 3-4 teams but who knows. There is time to improve from now til Dec.

8. Owen County- they won 16 games last year and return their top two scorers. They will be the favorite to win their districts 

9. Trimble County- they will be right behind Owen. They will be good enough to beat anyone in their district if the ball bounces right for them.

10. Oldham County- Coach Hook never won much at Henry and his first 2 years Oldham didn’t look great either. I am told by some Oldham friends that they have a group of young kids that can play. Maybe they can change the culture and have a winning season. 

 

 

 

With dead period almost here, which teams and/or players stood out this summer in the 8th region? 

Gallatin County returns everything and should contend/be a potential favorite in their district to upend Owen County. Owen lost their PG and returns virtually everything else, but Gallatin should be more than competitive. Wouldn't be shocked at all they win their district and take a huge step forward.

South Oldham should be higher IMO. They've got the region POY and if they don't easily win their district and multiple regional games, should be analyzed. They've got two of the best players in the region. That's enough to win a lot of games.

Shelby County, Collins, Emenince, Henry County will struggle a lot. All lost arguably their best players on already weaker teams.

Oldham County is going to be interesting. They lost their senior PG but has a good 8th grade class that if they stick together could be interesting in a few years. Not sure about coaching there- but we'll see. If they don't contend for a regional championship in a few years... huge swing and a miss there.

North Oldham is another team that's going to be interesting. They played virtually all 9th/8th graders last year. Look for them to take a step forward this year and possibly upset Oldham in the district tournament.

It won't be long until we have some good 8th Region games to go to!  To me, it's SKLP and everyone else.  #2 - #10 could all change over the next few months.  I doubt these picks are worth much, but it's fun to read about.

1. Simon Kenton - they are far and away the most talented team in the 8th.  It would be surprising if anyone got within 20 points of them.

2. South Oldham - they have one of the favorites for 8th Region player of the year, and a solid #2 scorer.  It might be enough for the Dragons to be in this spot.

3. Woodford County - they return everyone from a really solid team.  In addition, they return an all-region talent with Gordon.

4. Walton Verona - they return one of the elite scorers in the 8th in Logue, plus have a talented young group coming up.

5/6. Spencer/Anderson - Has graduation finally caught Anderson Co?  Losing Johnson and two other senior starters has to hurt the Bearcats.  Spencer has some graduation losses as well, but seemed to be deeper than Anderson last season.

7. Grant - Of all my picks, this is the one I'm probably too low on.  Grant beat a lot of the teams above, and return Ginn. 

8/9 Owen/Gallatin - this will be my favorite match-up in the 8th this year.  Owen lost their PG, but return a lot.  Gallatin returns the house.  I can't wait to watch these two go at it.

10.  Oldham - this is another pick that I don't feel good about.  They have a really strong young bunch that could figure it out sooner than later.  By March, this pick might look BAD.

1) SK- no one is going to touch them baring major injury.

2) South Oldham- potential next two region POYs. Not much supporting cast but the star power is there

3) Woodford- everything is coming back, Gordon is a star. Going to be a fun district.

4) Anderson- their young talent is solid and the culture is set

5) Walton- Logue will be enough to win a lot of games, but questionable supporting cast

6) Spencer- lost a lot to graduation but play a style they will always be competitive in

7) Grant- lost a ton, but Ginn is good enough to beat 3/4 teams above them alone.

8. Gallatin- return everything, I am high on them. Expectations are there... can they live up to it and take the next step and upend Owen?

9) Owen- great coached team/program, lost their PG.. but culture is set and expectation to continue to win that district is there

10) Oldham- Very young, talent wise they are top-6.. can they play into by the end of the year? Will be curious their schedule and if they challenge themselves or play for wins.

11) Trimble- return a lot, new coach, solid PG, enough to win multiple games in district

12) North Oldham- youngest team in the region last year, return everything. Can they take the next step and compete in more games?

13) Eminence- decent young guard/post to grow with, could upend  and surprise a few teams above that write them off.

14) Collins- lost their by far and away best player who did virtually everything

15) Carroll- lost a few key pieces, going to lack size to compete

16) Henry County- lost best player, few decent young ones

17) Shelby- lost their by far best player, going to struggle to fill what she did

Did Williamstown opt out?

On 7/11/2025 at 8:50 PM, blue4sure said:

Did Williamstown opt out?

Hearing AJ Mason is back at the helm of Williamstown.  Good for Williamstown if that is the case.  He did a great job having his teams prepared and ready to play during his first tour of duty with Williamstown.

On 7/3/2025 at 6:17 PM, LLS10 said:

Gallatin County returns everything and should contend/be a potential favorite in their district to upend Owen County. Owen lost their PG and returns virtually everything else, but Gallatin should be more than competitive. Wouldn't be shocked at all they win their district and take a huge step forward.

South Oldham should be higher IMO. They've got the region POY and if they don't easily win their district and multiple regional games, should be analyzed. They've got two of the best players in the region. That's enough to win a lot of games.

Shelby County, Collins, Emenince, Henry County will struggle a lot. All lost arguably their best players on already weaker teams.

Oldham County is going to be interesting. They lost their senior PG but has a good 8th grade class that if they stick together could be interesting in a few years. Not sure about coaching there- but we'll see. If they don't contend for a regional championship in a few years... huge swing and a miss there.

North Oldham is another team that's going to be interesting. They played virtually all 9th/8th graders last year. Look for them to take a step forward this year and possibly upset Oldham in the district tournament.

I like your predictions…. just not sure about South Oldham. Their PG quit to focus on softball and I think that really hurts them. If she plays I agree they are a clear #2 in the region. Madison Young is the front runner for  POY and their 2 guard can shoot it. Just not sure they have enough to make it to the regional finals. South will win the district easily, though..
I am afraid Simon might win all 3 games in the regional tourney by 25plus. I hope it’s a more competitive tourney though.   

That Gallatin girls team is loaded with young talent!!! I see them winning the 31st district this year easily.

Per Cats Pause Rankings 

Teams:

1. Simon Kenton 

2. South Oldham

3. Woodford County

4. Anderson County

5. Walton-Verona 

6. Spencer County

7. Grant County

8. Owen County

9. Gallatin County

10.Oldham County 

Players:

1. Madison Young - South Oldham

2. Brynli Pernell- Simon Kenton

3. Haylie Webb- Simon Kenton 

4.Elin Logue- Walton-Verona 

5. Olivia Ginn- Grant County 

6. Hailee Gordon- Woodford County

7. Anna Kelch- Simon Kenton

8. Brynn Brickey- South Oldham 

9. Kylee Steffen- Owen County

10. Emily Jarrard- Anderson County

 

 

11 hours ago, Bballjunkie said:

Per Cats Pause Rankings 

Teams:

1. Simon Kenton 

2. South Oldham

3. Woodford County

4. Anderson County

5. Walton-Verona 

6. Spencer County

7. Grant County

8. Owen County

9. Gallatin County

10.Oldham County 

Players:

1. Madison Young - South Oldham

2. Brynli Pernell- Simon Kenton

3. Haylie Webb- Simon Kenton 

4.Elin Logue- Walton-Verona 

5. Olivia Ginn- Grant County 

6. Hailee Gordon- Woodford County

7. Anna Kelch- Simon Kenton

8. Brynn Brickey- South Oldham 

9. Kylee Steffen- Owen County

10. Emily Jarrard- Anderson County

 

 

Where can I see the cats pause rankings?  Thanks!

 

11 hours ago, Bballjunkie said:

Per Cats Pause Rankings 

Teams:

1. Simon Kenton 

2. South Oldham

3. Woodford County

4. Anderson County

5. Walton-Verona 

6. Spencer County

7. Grant County

8. Owen County

9. Gallatin County

10.Oldham County 

Players:

1. Madison Young - South Oldham

2. Brynli Pernell- Simon Kenton

3. Haylie Webb- Simon Kenton 

4.Elin Logue- Walton-Verona 

5. Olivia Ginn- Grant County 

6. Hailee Gordon- Woodford County

7. Anna Kelch- Simon Kenton

8. Brynn Brickey- South Oldham 

9. Kylee Steffen- Owen County

10. Emily Jarrard- Anderson County

 

 

20 minutes ago, 1992Rebel said:

Where can I see the cats pause rankings?  Thanks!

 

You can buy the magazine at a lot  gas stations throughout Kentucky. I preordered mine online a couple months ago and it came in a couple weeks ago. 

Anyone know of any scrimmages this week in the region?

 

On 11/9/2025 at 9:27 AM, Bballjunkie said:

Anyone know of any scrimmages this week in the region?

 

At Henry County on Saturday

10:30     Walton Verona vs Danville Christian

Noon      South Oldham vs Nicholas County

1:30        Conner vs Western Hills

3:00        Grant County vs Nelson County

4:45        Owen County vs Spencer County

6:30        Gallatin County vs Louisville Moore

Perfect. Thank you for posting that.

Edited November 10, 2025Nov 10 by theguru