The Scribe
11-25-2006, 06:16 PM
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.
1. Lexington Catholic (35-1): Coach Jeff Hans takes over as head coach this season. The Lady Knights graduated two key performers in Nikki Davis and Anaris Sickles. It has also been reported that 6-0 center Malik Stevenson had transferred to Bryan Station.
The cupboard is not bare for the defending state champions as they return some very talented players. 5-11 Jr. Natalie Novosel averaged 12.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg last season. Novosel gets to the basket and can also score on her jump shot.
5-7 Sr. Keyla Snowden averaged 14.4 ppg last season and shot 42% from the three point arc. 5-8 Jr. Briana Green averaged 12.3 ppg and has the uncanny ability to hit the runner in the lane.
6-0 Sr. Kellie Cash has the ability to step outside and hit the jump shot. Other players expected to log quality minutes include 5-9 So. Maggie Wilson who can shoot the three-pointer, 6-0 Jr. Blake Ratliff, and 5-9 So. Shaneque McGhee.
The Lady Knights will play an up-tempo style with a balanced group of players. The key will be the development of the younger players to fill in with a core of players who have played together for three years.
Lexington Catholic also has the advantage of experience in playing in big games.
2. Scott County (27-3): Coach Steve Helton’s Lady Cardinals graduated a lot of talent last year but they are loaded again this season.
5-11 Sr. guard Rebecca Gray averaged 21 ppg and has signed with North Carolina. Gray is a leading candidate for Miss Basketball this season.
6-1 Sr. forward Holly Milburn (7 ppg) and 5-4 Jr. guard Kayla Moses (11 ppg) are also key returnees. 5-10 Fr. guard Madisen Webb is poised for a breakout year and is capable of playing all five positions.
5-10 Sr. forward Samika Payne, 5-9 Sr. forward Kayla Hatton, and 6-0 So. forward Krissie Giles are athletic inside players and 5-9 Sr. guard Brillia Garr is a defensive stopper. 5-9 Jr. guard Jessica Wilson, 5-9 Jr. guard Regan Grimes, and 5-9 Fr. guard Sachi Howard can all shoot the ball.
Ten players return for the Lady Cardinals. Coach Helton believes this is the fastest team he has ever put on the floor, which will only help his attacking press and high octane offense.
3. Henry Clay (23-8): Coach Scott Cromwell’s Lady Blue Devils return eight of their nine top players and most have played varsity for two years. Henry Clay has high expectations with a group of players who should provide a very balanced attack both on offense and defense.
6-1 Jr. center Gwen Rucker is a force in the paint at both ends of the court and has the ability to run the floor. Other players expected to contribute include 5-10 So. forward Brittany Coles, 5-7 Sr. forward Tabnie Dozier, 5-9 Sr. forward Cherrell Hausley, 5-5 Jr. guard Raven Price, 5-5 Jr. guard Demetria Nichols, 5-6 Jr. guard Hanna Blankenship, and 5-5 Jr. guard Alex Hamilton.
The Lady Blue Devils have a strong inside game and if they get consistent perimeter shooting could be a force this season.
4. Paul L. Dunbar (20-7): Coach Michael Sowers’ Lady Bulldogs have a lot of talent returning and appear poised for an outstanding season. They have two talented senior guard/forwards in 5-7 Ebonie Graham and 5-9 Sakia Hanson (a transfer from Lexington Christian Academy).
They have a very talented junior class returning, including 6-0 forward/center Chantelle Pressley, 5-8 guard/forward Chelsey Johnson (excellent man to man defender), 5-7 guard Pilar Walker, 5-5 guard Megan LaRue, 5-7 guard/forward Cameron Howard, and 5-11 center Kim Fishter.
5-11 Fr. Ebony Rowe is a versatile player who has excellent leaping ability. Coach Sowers has the luxury of starting any combination of these players.
The Lady Bulldogs have size, talent, athleticism, and the ability to score both inside and out. They had an excellent summer and appear ready to challenge for the 11th Region crown.
5. Lexington Christian Academy (20-7): Coach Jason Seamands moved over from the boy’s head coach to take over as the girl’s head coach this season.
The Lady Eagles have good talent returning and will probably play a more up-tempo style this season. 5-7 Sr. point guard Emily London shoots the ball well, defends, and has excellent court vision. The Lady Eagles have some talented sophomore starters in 5-9 Anna Martin who has good shooting range, 5-9 Courtney Clifton who has good all-around skills, and 6-1 Clara Mitchell who is a force in the paint.
The fifth starter will be Sara Beth Barnette, a 6-0 Fr. with guard skills. Other players expected to log quality minutes include 5-6 Jr. Hillary Thornton, 5-10 Sr. Marckia Wilson, and 5-9 So. Kelsey Ach. The Lady Eagles have young talent and a veteran point guard and if they develop depth they could be dangerous down the stretch.
6. Woodford County (25-5): Coach Jay Lucas’ Lady Yellowjackets graduated four seniors and then to make matters worse, one of the top players in the region, 5-7 So. Katy Cooke, and her teammate 5-8 So. Katie Mosher transferred to a school in Texas.
Woodford County will only return 10% of their offense from last year. Coach Lucas states that the team will be relatively young but he expects a good year. Coach Lucas’ teams are known for their defense and their expertise from the three-point line.
Woodford County has a 48 consecutive win streak in district play since the 1999-2000 season. The Lady Yellowjackets will be led this season by three seniors: 5-6 guard Casey Adkins, 6-1 forward Chelsea Fannin, and 5-9 forward Emily Roberts. They return one starter in 6-2 Jr. forward Kelsey Swan.
Coach Lucas will get key contributions from other players, including 5-7 So. guard Nicole Carter and 5-6 So. guard Ariana McWilliams.
7. Lafayette (18-12): Coach Allison Tate Denton’s Lady Generals return good inside size and will attempt to blend some veteran talent and promising underclassmen into a winning combination.
6-4 Jr. center Que’ Christian is a presence in the paint and recorded a rare triple double against Paris last season with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 blocked shots. 6-0 Jr. forward/center Katie Aldrich is a hard worker who scores with a mid-range jump shot.
5-9 Jr. forward/center Kennae Demus, 5-9 Jr. Corin Dunn, and 5-8 Sr. forward Janel Wilkerson will contribute in the front court. 5-6 Sr. guard Cassandra Lawson has the ability to score off the dribble.
Coach Denton has some promising young guards in 5-5 So. Maya Hanatini (excellent passer, quick), 5-4 Fr. Ali Ross (tenacious defender), and 5-0 Fr. Jameka Gillespie (quick, aggressive). This is a team that should improve throughout season.
8. Franklin County (13-14): Coach Joey Thacker’s Lady Flyers started two freshmen and two sophomores last season and expect to be greatly improved this season. The Lady Flyers also will have 5-9 Sr. guard/forward Nikki Bistline back, who sat out last season after being ruled ineligible by the KHSAA after moving back to Franklin County last season.
Some other key players for Franklin County will be 5-10 Sr. forward Annicka Ramcke, 6-0 Jr. forward Kehla Baker, 5-8 So. guard Finnja Ramcke, 5-5 Jr. guard Kathryn Clark, 5-6 Jr. guard Meagan Downs, 5-4 So. guard Ashley Decker, and 5-8 8th grader Lacinda Hack.
Also expected to log quality minutes are 5-6 So. guard Madelyn Brown and 5-8 8th grade guard Chelsea Rivers. 5-8 So. forward Shelby O’Nan is recovering from a torn ACL and is expected to return in February. Coach Thacker likes his talent top to bottom and notes ball security one of the keys to the season.
9. Madison Central (14-16): Coach Guy Gandolfo enters this season with a very inexperienced team. However, he has some young talent and is pleased with the pre-season conditioning. Coach Gandolfo believes if they can develop mental toughness, they will be very competitive.
5-8 Lyndsey Simmons will need to provide senior leadership this season. 5-5 Jr. guard Mia Adams is a heady performer who always gives a good effort. Other players expected to be key performers include 5-5 Fr. Briana Johnson, 5-7 So. Markita Wilson, 5-6 Fr. Christina Ciolek, and 5-6 Fr. Lesha Farris. 5-11 Fr. Kaity Busch and 5-10 Fr. Brislyn Sizemore provide inside size.
10. Bryan Station (10-18): Coach Michael Allen’s Lady Defenders graduated four key players from last year’s squad but is excited about the returning players.
He has two capable veterans returning in 5-7 Sr. LaKrista Clark (who did not play last year) and 5-10 Jr. Ciera Jackson. Coach Allen has a good freshman class this season including 5-9 Nealy Williams, 5-5 Whitney Blackwell, 5-6 Jasmine Lee, and 5-8 Mikayla Mosby.
It was reported that 6-0 center Malik Stevenson, had transferred in from Lexington Catholic, but it was not known at this time whether she would be declared eligible by the KHSAA. Coach Allen has other underclassmen expected to contribute this season.
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.
Top Players
1. Rebecca Gray (Scott County) 5-11 Sr. can light up scoreboard
2. Natalie Novosel (Lexington Catholic) 5-11 Jr. multi-talented performer
3. Gwen Rucker (Henry Clay) 6-1 Jr. can dominate in paint
4. Emily London (Lexington Christian) 5-7 Sr. scoring floor general
5. Keyla Snowden (Lexington Catholic) 5-7 Sr. deadly from perimeter
6. Briana Green (Lexington Catholic) 5-8 Jr. scores in traffic
7. Ebonie Graham (Paul Dunbar) 5-7 Sr. sparkplug for Lady Bulldogs
8. Elizabeth Horn (Berea) 5-11 So. double figure rebounder/scorer
9. Que Christian (Lafayette) 6-4 Jr. presence in paint
10a. Madisen Webb (Scott County) 5-10 Fr. healthy Webb could fuel Lady
Cards
10b. Nikki Jeck (Madison Southern) 5-4 Jr. excellent floor general
Observations
The majority of the coaches in the 11th Region responded to my request for information, and the consensus was that the region should be very competitive this season. While Lexington Catholic has won the state title the last two seasons, there are several contenders capable of dethroning the champions. However, it was agreed by all that they would not give up the title without a fight.
It was extremely difficult to rank the teams. Several teams graduated key performers and will be experimenting with different combinations. Several teams have talented squads, and, as usual, the champion will probably be the one who achieves team chemistry and peaks down the stretch.
Injuries play a big part and a key injury could bring even a favored team back to the pack.
It was even more difficult to submit a list of the top players. Other players that have to be considered include Holly Milburn and Kayla Moses (Scott County), Chantelle Pressley and Chelsey Johnson (Paul Dunbar), Brittany Coles (Henry Clay), Anna Martin (Lexington Christian Academy), Katie Aldrich (Lafayette), and Nikki Jeck (Madison Southern).
This could be a very interesting year in the 11th Region. Lexington Catholic has been to the state championship game the last four years. The Lady Knights have the talent and experience to defend their region and state crowns, but there are some worthy contenders in the 11th Region capable of challenging them for their regional crown this season.
Titles and won/lost records are decided on the basketball courts and not in previews. This year is another season and there are contenders who could peak at the right time and make the trip to Bowling Green. Whoever captures the 11th Region crown will also probably be one of the strong favorites for the state title.
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.
1. Lexington Catholic (35-1): Coach Jeff Hans takes over as head coach this season. The Lady Knights graduated two key performers in Nikki Davis and Anaris Sickles. It has also been reported that 6-0 center Malik Stevenson had transferred to Bryan Station.
The cupboard is not bare for the defending state champions as they return some very talented players. 5-11 Jr. Natalie Novosel averaged 12.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg last season. Novosel gets to the basket and can also score on her jump shot.
5-7 Sr. Keyla Snowden averaged 14.4 ppg last season and shot 42% from the three point arc. 5-8 Jr. Briana Green averaged 12.3 ppg and has the uncanny ability to hit the runner in the lane.
6-0 Sr. Kellie Cash has the ability to step outside and hit the jump shot. Other players expected to log quality minutes include 5-9 So. Maggie Wilson who can shoot the three-pointer, 6-0 Jr. Blake Ratliff, and 5-9 So. Shaneque McGhee.
The Lady Knights will play an up-tempo style with a balanced group of players. The key will be the development of the younger players to fill in with a core of players who have played together for three years.
Lexington Catholic also has the advantage of experience in playing in big games.
2. Scott County (27-3): Coach Steve Helton’s Lady Cardinals graduated a lot of talent last year but they are loaded again this season.
5-11 Sr. guard Rebecca Gray averaged 21 ppg and has signed with North Carolina. Gray is a leading candidate for Miss Basketball this season.
6-1 Sr. forward Holly Milburn (7 ppg) and 5-4 Jr. guard Kayla Moses (11 ppg) are also key returnees. 5-10 Fr. guard Madisen Webb is poised for a breakout year and is capable of playing all five positions.
5-10 Sr. forward Samika Payne, 5-9 Sr. forward Kayla Hatton, and 6-0 So. forward Krissie Giles are athletic inside players and 5-9 Sr. guard Brillia Garr is a defensive stopper. 5-9 Jr. guard Jessica Wilson, 5-9 Jr. guard Regan Grimes, and 5-9 Fr. guard Sachi Howard can all shoot the ball.
Ten players return for the Lady Cardinals. Coach Helton believes this is the fastest team he has ever put on the floor, which will only help his attacking press and high octane offense.
3. Henry Clay (23-8): Coach Scott Cromwell’s Lady Blue Devils return eight of their nine top players and most have played varsity for two years. Henry Clay has high expectations with a group of players who should provide a very balanced attack both on offense and defense.
6-1 Jr. center Gwen Rucker is a force in the paint at both ends of the court and has the ability to run the floor. Other players expected to contribute include 5-10 So. forward Brittany Coles, 5-7 Sr. forward Tabnie Dozier, 5-9 Sr. forward Cherrell Hausley, 5-5 Jr. guard Raven Price, 5-5 Jr. guard Demetria Nichols, 5-6 Jr. guard Hanna Blankenship, and 5-5 Jr. guard Alex Hamilton.
The Lady Blue Devils have a strong inside game and if they get consistent perimeter shooting could be a force this season.
4. Paul L. Dunbar (20-7): Coach Michael Sowers’ Lady Bulldogs have a lot of talent returning and appear poised for an outstanding season. They have two talented senior guard/forwards in 5-7 Ebonie Graham and 5-9 Sakia Hanson (a transfer from Lexington Christian Academy).
They have a very talented junior class returning, including 6-0 forward/center Chantelle Pressley, 5-8 guard/forward Chelsey Johnson (excellent man to man defender), 5-7 guard Pilar Walker, 5-5 guard Megan LaRue, 5-7 guard/forward Cameron Howard, and 5-11 center Kim Fishter.
5-11 Fr. Ebony Rowe is a versatile player who has excellent leaping ability. Coach Sowers has the luxury of starting any combination of these players.
The Lady Bulldogs have size, talent, athleticism, and the ability to score both inside and out. They had an excellent summer and appear ready to challenge for the 11th Region crown.
5. Lexington Christian Academy (20-7): Coach Jason Seamands moved over from the boy’s head coach to take over as the girl’s head coach this season.
The Lady Eagles have good talent returning and will probably play a more up-tempo style this season. 5-7 Sr. point guard Emily London shoots the ball well, defends, and has excellent court vision. The Lady Eagles have some talented sophomore starters in 5-9 Anna Martin who has good shooting range, 5-9 Courtney Clifton who has good all-around skills, and 6-1 Clara Mitchell who is a force in the paint.
The fifth starter will be Sara Beth Barnette, a 6-0 Fr. with guard skills. Other players expected to log quality minutes include 5-6 Jr. Hillary Thornton, 5-10 Sr. Marckia Wilson, and 5-9 So. Kelsey Ach. The Lady Eagles have young talent and a veteran point guard and if they develop depth they could be dangerous down the stretch.
6. Woodford County (25-5): Coach Jay Lucas’ Lady Yellowjackets graduated four seniors and then to make matters worse, one of the top players in the region, 5-7 So. Katy Cooke, and her teammate 5-8 So. Katie Mosher transferred to a school in Texas.
Woodford County will only return 10% of their offense from last year. Coach Lucas states that the team will be relatively young but he expects a good year. Coach Lucas’ teams are known for their defense and their expertise from the three-point line.
Woodford County has a 48 consecutive win streak in district play since the 1999-2000 season. The Lady Yellowjackets will be led this season by three seniors: 5-6 guard Casey Adkins, 6-1 forward Chelsea Fannin, and 5-9 forward Emily Roberts. They return one starter in 6-2 Jr. forward Kelsey Swan.
Coach Lucas will get key contributions from other players, including 5-7 So. guard Nicole Carter and 5-6 So. guard Ariana McWilliams.
7. Lafayette (18-12): Coach Allison Tate Denton’s Lady Generals return good inside size and will attempt to blend some veteran talent and promising underclassmen into a winning combination.
6-4 Jr. center Que’ Christian is a presence in the paint and recorded a rare triple double against Paris last season with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 blocked shots. 6-0 Jr. forward/center Katie Aldrich is a hard worker who scores with a mid-range jump shot.
5-9 Jr. forward/center Kennae Demus, 5-9 Jr. Corin Dunn, and 5-8 Sr. forward Janel Wilkerson will contribute in the front court. 5-6 Sr. guard Cassandra Lawson has the ability to score off the dribble.
Coach Denton has some promising young guards in 5-5 So. Maya Hanatini (excellent passer, quick), 5-4 Fr. Ali Ross (tenacious defender), and 5-0 Fr. Jameka Gillespie (quick, aggressive). This is a team that should improve throughout season.
8. Franklin County (13-14): Coach Joey Thacker’s Lady Flyers started two freshmen and two sophomores last season and expect to be greatly improved this season. The Lady Flyers also will have 5-9 Sr. guard/forward Nikki Bistline back, who sat out last season after being ruled ineligible by the KHSAA after moving back to Franklin County last season.
Some other key players for Franklin County will be 5-10 Sr. forward Annicka Ramcke, 6-0 Jr. forward Kehla Baker, 5-8 So. guard Finnja Ramcke, 5-5 Jr. guard Kathryn Clark, 5-6 Jr. guard Meagan Downs, 5-4 So. guard Ashley Decker, and 5-8 8th grader Lacinda Hack.
Also expected to log quality minutes are 5-6 So. guard Madelyn Brown and 5-8 8th grade guard Chelsea Rivers. 5-8 So. forward Shelby O’Nan is recovering from a torn ACL and is expected to return in February. Coach Thacker likes his talent top to bottom and notes ball security one of the keys to the season.
9. Madison Central (14-16): Coach Guy Gandolfo enters this season with a very inexperienced team. However, he has some young talent and is pleased with the pre-season conditioning. Coach Gandolfo believes if they can develop mental toughness, they will be very competitive.
5-8 Lyndsey Simmons will need to provide senior leadership this season. 5-5 Jr. guard Mia Adams is a heady performer who always gives a good effort. Other players expected to be key performers include 5-5 Fr. Briana Johnson, 5-7 So. Markita Wilson, 5-6 Fr. Christina Ciolek, and 5-6 Fr. Lesha Farris. 5-11 Fr. Kaity Busch and 5-10 Fr. Brislyn Sizemore provide inside size.
10. Bryan Station (10-18): Coach Michael Allen’s Lady Defenders graduated four key players from last year’s squad but is excited about the returning players.
He has two capable veterans returning in 5-7 Sr. LaKrista Clark (who did not play last year) and 5-10 Jr. Ciera Jackson. Coach Allen has a good freshman class this season including 5-9 Nealy Williams, 5-5 Whitney Blackwell, 5-6 Jasmine Lee, and 5-8 Mikayla Mosby.
It was reported that 6-0 center Malik Stevenson, had transferred in from Lexington Catholic, but it was not known at this time whether she would be declared eligible by the KHSAA. Coach Allen has other underclassmen expected to contribute this season.
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.
Top Players
1. Rebecca Gray (Scott County) 5-11 Sr. can light up scoreboard
2. Natalie Novosel (Lexington Catholic) 5-11 Jr. multi-talented performer
3. Gwen Rucker (Henry Clay) 6-1 Jr. can dominate in paint
4. Emily London (Lexington Christian) 5-7 Sr. scoring floor general
5. Keyla Snowden (Lexington Catholic) 5-7 Sr. deadly from perimeter
6. Briana Green (Lexington Catholic) 5-8 Jr. scores in traffic
7. Ebonie Graham (Paul Dunbar) 5-7 Sr. sparkplug for Lady Bulldogs
8. Elizabeth Horn (Berea) 5-11 So. double figure rebounder/scorer
9. Que Christian (Lafayette) 6-4 Jr. presence in paint
10a. Madisen Webb (Scott County) 5-10 Fr. healthy Webb could fuel Lady
Cards
10b. Nikki Jeck (Madison Southern) 5-4 Jr. excellent floor general
Observations
The majority of the coaches in the 11th Region responded to my request for information, and the consensus was that the region should be very competitive this season. While Lexington Catholic has won the state title the last two seasons, there are several contenders capable of dethroning the champions. However, it was agreed by all that they would not give up the title without a fight.
It was extremely difficult to rank the teams. Several teams graduated key performers and will be experimenting with different combinations. Several teams have talented squads, and, as usual, the champion will probably be the one who achieves team chemistry and peaks down the stretch.
Injuries play a big part and a key injury could bring even a favored team back to the pack.
It was even more difficult to submit a list of the top players. Other players that have to be considered include Holly Milburn and Kayla Moses (Scott County), Chantelle Pressley and Chelsey Johnson (Paul Dunbar), Brittany Coles (Henry Clay), Anna Martin (Lexington Christian Academy), Katie Aldrich (Lafayette), and Nikki Jeck (Madison Southern).
This could be a very interesting year in the 11th Region. Lexington Catholic has been to the state championship game the last four years. The Lady Knights have the talent and experience to defend their region and state crowns, but there are some worthy contenders in the 11th Region capable of challenging them for their regional crown this season.
Titles and won/lost records are decided on the basketball courts and not in previews. This year is another season and there are contenders who could peak at the right time and make the trip to Bowling Green. Whoever captures the 11th Region crown will also probably be one of the strong favorites for the state title.