The Scribe
11-26-2007, 11:34 PM
BGP 16th Region Girls' Preview
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
The 16th Region girls’ title will most likely have a new home in 2008.
Two-time defending champion Rose Hill lost two of the state’s top players to graduation. Region runner-up Russell lost three talented seniors from their squad. East Carter, Ashland, and Rowan County are hungry to claim the crown.
There are several other teams that have the ability to almost make a run at the crown. Balance seems to be the word best desribing the region this season.
EAST CARTER- Veteran coach Hager Easterling has a very deep and talented squad this season. Senior Leah Sargent along with fellow post player Lindsay Combs provide scoring and rebounding for the Lady Raiders.
The backcourt led by Brianna Buck and Easterling can heat up from trey land. The Lady Raiders depth will be vital for them to get to Bowling Green.
ASHLAND- The Kittens of Ashland, a regional semifinalist a year ago, seem poised and ready to take the next step this season. Sharpshooters Kim Strait and Ali Wilcox can score points in bunches.
Athletic wing Leisha Ward and heady point guard Chelsea Dietrich have experience to go along with talent. Improved post play is key for Coach Bill Bradley’s gals quest for Diddle.
ROWAN COUNTY- Who is the coach? That might be the major question for the Lady Vikings. The resignation of Troy Thomas and the departure of John High leaves the job to assistant Scott Tackett. He inherits an experienced team led by slasher Nicole Barr and scrappy guard Jennifer Brockman. The Vikings will be a threat in Morehead come March.
MORGAN COUNTY-Leslie Eagle may be the region’s best player you have never heard of. Coach Jeff Brown has an athletic team led by Eagle and a trio of returnees that could make the Lady Cougars a threat in the always tough 62nd District this season.
RACELAND-The Lady Rams coming off their first-ever district championship are led by junior standout Rachel Vanderhoof. Sophomore Brooke Keeton, coming off foot surgery, is a solid post player for Coach Bob Trimble. Guard play will be the question mark for the ladies in orange and black.
FLEMING COUNTY-Fiery coach Kristy Orme welcomes back point guard Beth Bernard to lead the Lady Panthers squad this season Add in shooting guard Brittany Price and forward Danielle Allex and the Lady Panthers will be a solid team once again.
WEST CARTER-Center Monica Stevens can score from the perimeter and the post for the Lady Comets. Von Perry will look for more from senior Sydnie Cox as the Comets compete in the tough 62nd District this season.
RUSSELL-The Lady Devils will look to versatile forward Kelsey Simpson for scoring help following the graduation of three seniors. Senior Samantha Sparks provides stability and shooting from her backcourt spot. The Devils could be a factor in the postseason.
BOYD COUNTY-Coach Pete Fraley has a scrappy bunch as always. Hannah Cooksey can score from her guard spot and the Lions’ will use their speed and depth to provide chaos for their opponents this winter.
LEWIS COUNTY-Jesse Marth is one of the region’s best kept secrets. She can score and has excellent quickness from her point guard spot. Emily Lykins can shoot it from deep for Coach Jesse Holt’s Lions. This team could be a darkhorse in the region this season.
ELLIOTT COUNTY-Coach mark Cantrell has this team earning respect among the region’s coaches and players. They will run-and-gun and play hard for 32 minutes. Shae Ferguson is a versatile player who can play all five positions. The only drawback ids they play in the region’s toughest district.
16th Region Players to Watch
Leah Sargent-East Carter
Rachel Vanderhoof-Raceland
Nicole Barr-Rowan County
Kim Strait-Ashland
Leslie Eagle-Morgan County
Kelsey Simpson-Russell
Monica Stevens-West Carter
Brittany Price-Fleming County
Jesse Marth-Lewis County
Leisha Ward-Ashland
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
The 16th Region girls’ title will most likely have a new home in 2008.
Two-time defending champion Rose Hill lost two of the state’s top players to graduation. Region runner-up Russell lost three talented seniors from their squad. East Carter, Ashland, and Rowan County are hungry to claim the crown.
There are several other teams that have the ability to almost make a run at the crown. Balance seems to be the word best desribing the region this season.
EAST CARTER- Veteran coach Hager Easterling has a very deep and talented squad this season. Senior Leah Sargent along with fellow post player Lindsay Combs provide scoring and rebounding for the Lady Raiders.
The backcourt led by Brianna Buck and Easterling can heat up from trey land. The Lady Raiders depth will be vital for them to get to Bowling Green.
ASHLAND- The Kittens of Ashland, a regional semifinalist a year ago, seem poised and ready to take the next step this season. Sharpshooters Kim Strait and Ali Wilcox can score points in bunches.
Athletic wing Leisha Ward and heady point guard Chelsea Dietrich have experience to go along with talent. Improved post play is key for Coach Bill Bradley’s gals quest for Diddle.
ROWAN COUNTY- Who is the coach? That might be the major question for the Lady Vikings. The resignation of Troy Thomas and the departure of John High leaves the job to assistant Scott Tackett. He inherits an experienced team led by slasher Nicole Barr and scrappy guard Jennifer Brockman. The Vikings will be a threat in Morehead come March.
MORGAN COUNTY-Leslie Eagle may be the region’s best player you have never heard of. Coach Jeff Brown has an athletic team led by Eagle and a trio of returnees that could make the Lady Cougars a threat in the always tough 62nd District this season.
RACELAND-The Lady Rams coming off their first-ever district championship are led by junior standout Rachel Vanderhoof. Sophomore Brooke Keeton, coming off foot surgery, is a solid post player for Coach Bob Trimble. Guard play will be the question mark for the ladies in orange and black.
FLEMING COUNTY-Fiery coach Kristy Orme welcomes back point guard Beth Bernard to lead the Lady Panthers squad this season Add in shooting guard Brittany Price and forward Danielle Allex and the Lady Panthers will be a solid team once again.
WEST CARTER-Center Monica Stevens can score from the perimeter and the post for the Lady Comets. Von Perry will look for more from senior Sydnie Cox as the Comets compete in the tough 62nd District this season.
RUSSELL-The Lady Devils will look to versatile forward Kelsey Simpson for scoring help following the graduation of three seniors. Senior Samantha Sparks provides stability and shooting from her backcourt spot. The Devils could be a factor in the postseason.
BOYD COUNTY-Coach Pete Fraley has a scrappy bunch as always. Hannah Cooksey can score from her guard spot and the Lions’ will use their speed and depth to provide chaos for their opponents this winter.
LEWIS COUNTY-Jesse Marth is one of the region’s best kept secrets. She can score and has excellent quickness from her point guard spot. Emily Lykins can shoot it from deep for Coach Jesse Holt’s Lions. This team could be a darkhorse in the region this season.
ELLIOTT COUNTY-Coach mark Cantrell has this team earning respect among the region’s coaches and players. They will run-and-gun and play hard for 32 minutes. Shae Ferguson is a versatile player who can play all five positions. The only drawback ids they play in the region’s toughest district.
16th Region Players to Watch
Leah Sargent-East Carter
Rachel Vanderhoof-Raceland
Nicole Barr-Rowan County
Kim Strait-Ashland
Leslie Eagle-Morgan County
Kelsey Simpson-Russell
Monica Stevens-West Carter
Brittany Price-Fleming County
Jesse Marth-Lewis County
Leisha Ward-Ashland