The Scribe
11-25-2006, 06:03 PM
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.
3. Graves County: One of the state’s top juniors, high-scoring guard Brittany Young, is suspended for the entire season, leaving the defensive-minded Lady Eagles a little behind Marshall and Tilghman, at least on paper.
Graves isn’t bereft of weapons, though. Center Jessica Doran is a 6-0 senior that can knock down the 3-pointer, and guards Keshia Starks and Alysha Legate are steady guards with the ability to score from the perimeter.
Graves’ collection of role players and physical defensive style make them tough to get by in the postseason.
4. Calloway County: Kayla Cunningham, a 6-2 sophomore, leads a young team that might be a year away from becoming a serious regional contender.
Rachel Adams, a 6-1 junior, is a capable inside player, and playmaker Beth Ross and shooter Samantha Butts make up a solid backcourt.
5. St. Mary: There is a big dropoff after the top four teams. St. Mary — last year’s All A Classic state runner-up lost a lot of size and offensive firepower, but could make a return to the small-school state tournament with forward Abby Townzen and guard Jessica Scheer ready to step into lead roles.
The Lady Vikings’ top challengers could include Fulton County, led by Ellie Goodman and lightning-fast guard Sharika Smith and a Heath club led by high-scoring guard Daria Kingsley.
Mayfield has guards Kirsten Byrn, Sarah Clark and Jaclyn McCuiston.
Top Players
1. Jessica Holder, Marshall County: Six-foot sophomore can play the wing and score from the perimeter.
2. Pressley Doom, Marshall County: Point forward can score and create for teammates.
3. Jessica Doran, Graves County: Another six-footer who plays best while facing the basket.
4. Ali Watson, Paducah Tilghman: Could blossom into a scorer as she moves to the wing.
5. Jarobia Hill, Paducah Tilghman: Lefty, athletic post player also an excellent rebounder.
6. Abby Townzen, St. Mary: Versatile forward becomes the Lady Vikings’ go-to player.
7. Kayci Beasley, Marshall County: A quick release and prolific 3-point shooter ... never leave her open.
8. Bionca Hill, Paducah Tilghman: Transfer guard could be the key to Tilghman’s challenge for the regional title.
9. Keshia Starks, Graves County: Steady, heady point guard can also score from the perimeter.
10. Kayla Cunningham, Calloway County: Sophomore center ready to emerge as an offensive force.
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.
3. Graves County: One of the state’s top juniors, high-scoring guard Brittany Young, is suspended for the entire season, leaving the defensive-minded Lady Eagles a little behind Marshall and Tilghman, at least on paper.
Graves isn’t bereft of weapons, though. Center Jessica Doran is a 6-0 senior that can knock down the 3-pointer, and guards Keshia Starks and Alysha Legate are steady guards with the ability to score from the perimeter.
Graves’ collection of role players and physical defensive style make them tough to get by in the postseason.
4. Calloway County: Kayla Cunningham, a 6-2 sophomore, leads a young team that might be a year away from becoming a serious regional contender.
Rachel Adams, a 6-1 junior, is a capable inside player, and playmaker Beth Ross and shooter Samantha Butts make up a solid backcourt.
5. St. Mary: There is a big dropoff after the top four teams. St. Mary — last year’s All A Classic state runner-up lost a lot of size and offensive firepower, but could make a return to the small-school state tournament with forward Abby Townzen and guard Jessica Scheer ready to step into lead roles.
The Lady Vikings’ top challengers could include Fulton County, led by Ellie Goodman and lightning-fast guard Sharika Smith and a Heath club led by high-scoring guard Daria Kingsley.
Mayfield has guards Kirsten Byrn, Sarah Clark and Jaclyn McCuiston.
Top Players
1. Jessica Holder, Marshall County: Six-foot sophomore can play the wing and score from the perimeter.
2. Pressley Doom, Marshall County: Point forward can score and create for teammates.
3. Jessica Doran, Graves County: Another six-footer who plays best while facing the basket.
4. Ali Watson, Paducah Tilghman: Could blossom into a scorer as she moves to the wing.
5. Jarobia Hill, Paducah Tilghman: Lefty, athletic post player also an excellent rebounder.
6. Abby Townzen, St. Mary: Versatile forward becomes the Lady Vikings’ go-to player.
7. Kayci Beasley, Marshall County: A quick release and prolific 3-point shooter ... never leave her open.
8. Bionca Hill, Paducah Tilghman: Transfer guard could be the key to Tilghman’s challenge for the regional title.
9. Keshia Starks, Graves County: Steady, heady point guard can also score from the perimeter.
10. Kayla Cunningham, Calloway County: Sophomore center ready to emerge as an offensive force.