In order to be one of the top regions in the state, the 8th must step up its play at WKU/Diddle every March. This is no criticism of any team or teams of late. A valid point to be made and considered is this: in order to regulary better contend at the Sweet 16, the 8th region must find a way to hold its tourney on a college-length floor. This will bear more of the fruits of victory in Bowling Green, in my opinion, than have been tasted lately. We have had several teams which might have gotten a win or two more, but have been at a competitive disadvantage. Just some "food" for thought for y'all to chew on.

A couple of things...

 

Top four teams(Anderson, Owen, South Oldham, & Walton) are all within striking distance of each other no clear cut favorite- will be another exciting tournamant this year. Last year, semi's were all determined by a 1 or 2 points if my memory serves me correctly.

 

As for the best player, depends what your determining factors are and that will vary among folks. Both players are excellent and invaluable to their respective teams! Both have committed to play at the next level which will be D1 for both as NKU will be bumping up starting next year. The Big East is pretty imperssive level to play though and she also had offers from the SEC.

 

If you base it on stats, who has the better ones and which ones matter the most? Sometimes the best scorer in the region is not the POY- look at Devine last year for that matter or Jones from SO a few years back- they too were invaluable to their teams. Or do you base it on who put the team on their back and carried them to a title or took them farther that was expected? When the two met head to head last year at Owen, Whitfield won that battle I beleive, but I would give Gayheart the edge in regional tournament performance but POY was voted on before the tourney.

 

It is really hard to pick one over the other as both are great players so it comes down to votes and that is where the smaller schools stick together IMO and Gayheart comes out of top.

In order to be one of the top regions in the state, the 8th must step up its play at WKU/Diddle every March. This is no criticism of any team or teams of late. A valid point to be made and considered is this: in order to regulary better contend at the Sweet 16, the 8th region must find a way to hold its tourney on a college-length floor. This will bear more of the fruits of victory in Bowling Green, in my opinion, than have been tasted lately. We have had several teams which might have gotten a win or two more, but have been at a competitive disadvantage. Just some "food" for thought for y'all to chew on.[/

 

I am not sure that the college length floor has everything to do with it. Maybe it does, but I think the 8th needs to do a better job of playing outside the region, in more competitive tournaments/schedules with top tier teams. I don't think that our region is as good( top 8 ) as most - like the 6th or 7th or even the 11th or 12th and I am sure I am leaving some out.

I don't think the length of floor has much to do with it. The 8th is not as athletic as some other regions. A good draw may determine their fate more than anything else. 8th girls nor boys has the talent to win state at this time, however, they are good enough to beat some of the other regions. As far as comparing Whitfield and Gayhart, I think Whitfield has more raw talent and a greater upside, but Gayhart is a better basketball player at this time.

I don't think the length of floor has much to do with it. The 8th is not as athletic as some other regions. A good draw may determine their fate more than anything else. 8th girls nor boys has the talent to win state at this time, however, they are good enough to beat some of the other regions. As far as comparing Whitfield and Gayhart, I think Whitfield has more raw talent and a greater upside, but Gayhart is a better basketball player at this time.

 

I don't think I agree that Gayheart is better now. Statistically Whitfield was better that Gayheart in ppg, shooting %(2pt and 3pt) and rebounding. As I do not have all Gayheart stats it would be hard to compare but I would bet they are very similar. Physically Whitfield is taller 5"11 with a 6'2 reach. What I will say is that we have 2 very good players, but they are very different type of players IMO, so it is very hard to compare them. Whitfield is a more athletic player using a lot of her physical attributes and Gayheart is a more finesse player using more skills. So depending on what type of basketball you like to watch, your opinion will be different than another person's opinion. I think it is great that the eighth region has girls that will be playing at the next level, Gayheart(NKU), Whitfield(Cincinnatti), and Dye(Bellarmine). I am hoping that Brown(Anderson), Bryant(North Oldham), Taulbee and Slavey(Walton), and Devine(Carroll Cty) will also be playing at the next level. Does anyone have any recruiting info on these girls? The 8th has a lot of talent. I am a big fan of Women's Basketball, so I am pulling for all the girls in Kentucky, especially the 8th region!!

They are both extremely gifted basketball players that work hard on and off the court and it shows. They are the heart and soul of their teams.

If I had to pick a team for the preseason favorite it would be the Lady Dragons of South Oldham because of Whitfield and Dye which is the best tandem in the 8th region. Who else can match up with these two players in the region?

I think it's going to be a three horse race between Anderson, South Oldham and Walton Verona. Each team has their strengths and weaknesses and if they get hot at the tourney time, who knows what will happen. I still give the edge to Anderson. I think 1 thru 7 they have the most talent and depth.

Anderson County's Sydney Brown recently committed to Jacksonville State.

Anderson County's Sydney Brown recently committed to Jacksonville State.

 

Congrats to Sydney!! Met and talked to her Grandmother several times. Very nice Family. Jax State is getting a very good player!!

Anderson County's Sydney Brown recently committed to Jacksonville State.

 

Congrats to Sydney. Wish her the best.

Anderson County's Sydney Brown recently committed to Jacksonville State.

 

More great news for the 8th region. Congrats Sydney- OVC is a good fit for her with her size and physical-ness.

I don't think I agree that Gayheart is better now. Statistically Whitfield was better that Gayheart in ppg, shooting %(2pt and 3pt) and rebounding. As I do not have all Gayheart stats it would be hard to compare but I would bet they are very similar. Physically Whitfield is taller 5"11 with a 6'2 reach. What I will say is that we have 2 very good players, but they are very different type of players IMO, so it is very hard to compare them. Whitfield is a more athletic player using a lot of her physical attributes and Gayheart is a more finesse player using more skills. So depending on what type of basketball you like to watch, your opinion will be different than another person's opinion. I think it is great that the eighth region has girls that will be playing at the next level, Gayheart(NKU), Whitfield(Cincinnatti), and Dye(Bellarmine). I am hoping that Brown(Anderson), Bryant(North Oldham), Taulbee and Slavey(Walton), and Devine(Carroll Cty) will also be playing at the next level. Does anyone have any recruiting info on these girls? The 8th has a lot of talent. I am a big fan of Women's Basketball, so I am pulling for all the girls in Kentucky, especially the 8th region!!

 

I agree with you SportsLady- well said! It is hard to pick one over the other - especially if there is not a clear cut definition. You make an argument for better stats, scoring, etc which to me is hard to overlook for Whitfield, but better stats has not always been the decisive factor in the 8th.

 

Perhaps we need to have a defensive and a offensive player of the year in the voting and make it more objective verses subjective.

 

Both are great players!