The Scribe
11-25-2006, 06:06 PM
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.
2. Simon Kenton – After going 26-5 last season, the Lady Pioneers hope to rebound from a regional final loss to the Lady Rockets.
Coach Jeff Stowers has plenty of returnees from a team that allowed a state-best 36 points per game to opponents.
The Lady Pioneers have one of the best guard-tandems in the region with Chelsea Tolliver and Lauren Conley. Both are around 5-8 and strong defenders.
Senior Kayla Stephens and sophomores Caitlyn and Lindsey Figgins are all three top returning players and capable of leading the team in scoring.
3. Anderson County – Coach Tony Kays has more than enough talent to challenge the other two contenders in the region.
Seniors Erin McKee and Beth Chilton are two of the region’s top performers, while Kays has five other key returning players off a 19-win team.
McKee is the tallest player on the roster at 5-11 and must rebound, while Lindsay Fultz, Courtney Milam, Caitlyn Royalty and Becca James should contribute.
4. Carroll County – With the region’s top player in Whitney Ballinger on his roster, coach Randy Mefford is hoping for success.
The Lady Panthers won 15 games last season when Ballinger averaged 20.3 points and 10.8 rebounds a game. She has signed with Western Kentucky University and is a candidate for All-State honors this season.
Mefford will likely start four guards with Ballinger, but he has a core of six players who should be able to give key contributions.
5. South Oldham – Frank Wright is starting his third season as the coach of the Lady Dragons and has the team ready to fire.
South Oldham went 19-11 last season and returns not only one of the regions top players – Lauren Jones – but five other key performers.
Jones is a 5-9 guard who averaged 17 points a game last season and is an excellent outside shooter, while junior Ally Byrd is a defensive stopper.
Juniors Amber Coniff, Megan McMullen and Kristen Mabrey and sophomore Brittany Shaver are solid and Coniff and Shaver are both 6-footers.
6. Oldham County – After some lean years, the Lady Colonels seemingly have turned the corner under second-year coach Jamie Dumstorf.
The former assistant coach at Sacred Heart and Bullitt East has the talent to spring a few upsets along the way this season.
Following last season’s 9-20 season, the Lady Colonels return leading scorer and leading rebounder Lindsay Melton. She averaged 15 points and nine rebounds a game.
Sophomore guards Dannielle Irwin, Ellen Ford and Audrey Beaudrie will push the tempo, while 6-3 junior Tara Hucksyale averaged six blocks a game as a sophomore.
7. Trimble County – Coach Kerri Stewart lost five seniors off last year’s 20-win team, but there’s plenty of talent to go around.
Laci Schirmer is one of the top guards in the region for Trimble County, which could go nine-deep without losing much.
Top Players
1. Whitney Ballinger, Carroll County, 6-1, Sr.
Comment: If she’s signed with WKU, Ballinger has to be the real deal.
2. Rachelle Gray, Shelby County, 5-4, Jr.
Comment: Overshadowed last year by Amanda Green, it’s her time to shine.
3. Lauren Jones, South Oldham, 5-9, Jr.
Comment: The best shooter in the region and a solid guard
4. Erin McKee, Anderson County, 6-0, Jr.
Comment: Perhaps the most athletic post in the region.
5. Laci Shirmer, Trimble County, 5-4, Sr.
Comment: One of the best unknown guards in the state.
6. Chelsea Tolliver, Simon Kenton, 5-7, So.
Comment: A sensational slasher just gets it done.
7. Beth Chilton, Anderson County, 5-6, Sr.
Comment: Solid three-point shooter with unlimited range.
8. Lindsay Melton, Oldham County, 6-0, Jr.
Comment: The best Lady Colonel to come along in a while.
9. Amber Morrison, Shelby County, 5-8, Sr.
Comment: Not all that flashy, but gets it done.
10. Ally Byrd, South Oldham, 5-5, Jr.
Comment: One of the state’s top soccer players; the regions best defender.
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.
2. Simon Kenton – After going 26-5 last season, the Lady Pioneers hope to rebound from a regional final loss to the Lady Rockets.
Coach Jeff Stowers has plenty of returnees from a team that allowed a state-best 36 points per game to opponents.
The Lady Pioneers have one of the best guard-tandems in the region with Chelsea Tolliver and Lauren Conley. Both are around 5-8 and strong defenders.
Senior Kayla Stephens and sophomores Caitlyn and Lindsey Figgins are all three top returning players and capable of leading the team in scoring.
3. Anderson County – Coach Tony Kays has more than enough talent to challenge the other two contenders in the region.
Seniors Erin McKee and Beth Chilton are two of the region’s top performers, while Kays has five other key returning players off a 19-win team.
McKee is the tallest player on the roster at 5-11 and must rebound, while Lindsay Fultz, Courtney Milam, Caitlyn Royalty and Becca James should contribute.
4. Carroll County – With the region’s top player in Whitney Ballinger on his roster, coach Randy Mefford is hoping for success.
The Lady Panthers won 15 games last season when Ballinger averaged 20.3 points and 10.8 rebounds a game. She has signed with Western Kentucky University and is a candidate for All-State honors this season.
Mefford will likely start four guards with Ballinger, but he has a core of six players who should be able to give key contributions.
5. South Oldham – Frank Wright is starting his third season as the coach of the Lady Dragons and has the team ready to fire.
South Oldham went 19-11 last season and returns not only one of the regions top players – Lauren Jones – but five other key performers.
Jones is a 5-9 guard who averaged 17 points a game last season and is an excellent outside shooter, while junior Ally Byrd is a defensive stopper.
Juniors Amber Coniff, Megan McMullen and Kristen Mabrey and sophomore Brittany Shaver are solid and Coniff and Shaver are both 6-footers.
6. Oldham County – After some lean years, the Lady Colonels seemingly have turned the corner under second-year coach Jamie Dumstorf.
The former assistant coach at Sacred Heart and Bullitt East has the talent to spring a few upsets along the way this season.
Following last season’s 9-20 season, the Lady Colonels return leading scorer and leading rebounder Lindsay Melton. She averaged 15 points and nine rebounds a game.
Sophomore guards Dannielle Irwin, Ellen Ford and Audrey Beaudrie will push the tempo, while 6-3 junior Tara Hucksyale averaged six blocks a game as a sophomore.
7. Trimble County – Coach Kerri Stewart lost five seniors off last year’s 20-win team, but there’s plenty of talent to go around.
Laci Schirmer is one of the top guards in the region for Trimble County, which could go nine-deep without losing much.
Top Players
1. Whitney Ballinger, Carroll County, 6-1, Sr.
Comment: If she’s signed with WKU, Ballinger has to be the real deal.
2. Rachelle Gray, Shelby County, 5-4, Jr.
Comment: Overshadowed last year by Amanda Green, it’s her time to shine.
3. Lauren Jones, South Oldham, 5-9, Jr.
Comment: The best shooter in the region and a solid guard
4. Erin McKee, Anderson County, 6-0, Jr.
Comment: Perhaps the most athletic post in the region.
5. Laci Shirmer, Trimble County, 5-4, Sr.
Comment: One of the best unknown guards in the state.
6. Chelsea Tolliver, Simon Kenton, 5-7, So.
Comment: A sensational slasher just gets it done.
7. Beth Chilton, Anderson County, 5-6, Sr.
Comment: Solid three-point shooter with unlimited range.
8. Lindsay Melton, Oldham County, 6-0, Jr.
Comment: The best Lady Colonel to come along in a while.
9. Amber Morrison, Shelby County, 5-8, Sr.
Comment: Not all that flashy, but gets it done.
10. Ally Byrd, South Oldham, 5-5, Jr.
Comment: One of the state’s top soccer players; the regions best defender.