The Scribe
11-26-2007, 05:57 PM
BGP 9th Region Girls' Preview
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
Notre Dame Academy (29-5) The Pandas lost their size but not their quickness and should be among the favorites to compete in a Ninth Region that appears more balanced this year.
Senior guard Katie Tierney suffered a knee injury in the opening game of the Sweet 16 last year and her recovery will determine how far the Pandas go in the postseason.
Tierney averaged seven points a game and led the team in steals. She was second in assists and grabbed three rebounds a game.
Junior Casey Jackson will be counted on to pick up some of the scoring slack early. She averaged 11 points and led the Pandas in 3-point shooting last year.
Seniors Casey Smith and Molly Johnson and junior Kirsten Delph provide backcourt depth, but head coach Cheryl Darpel must find some frontcourt help following the graduation of a pair of six-footers.
Newport Central Catholic (24-10) The Lady Breds return enough experience to challenge NDA and may have the advantage with 6-0 senior center Whitney Cundiff, who averaged 13 points and six rebounds last year.
Joining her in the frontcourt is six-foot sophomore Mariah Tabor.
NCC should be strong in the backcourt with the return of sophomore Courtney Sandfoss (9.8 ppg., 3.5 apg.), and seniors Savannah Simms and Abby Watson.
Holmes (14-13) Holmes got hot at the right time, advancing to the finals of the both the 35th District and Ninth Region tournaments where they lost to NDA both times.
Like Newport Central Catholic, the Bulldogs feature a strong inside game led by 6-2 junior Brittany Webb and 5-10 junior Christina Weaver, who averaged 13.8 points and 11.1 rebounds a game.
Serenity Walton and Taylor McNay return in the backcourt for Holmes, who is coached by Celeste Hill.
Highlands (16-11) Hopes are high in Fort Thomas after Highlands won 16 games and advanced to the region semifinals.
Seniors McKenzie Brock, Victoria Poindexter, and Alex Adler join sophomore Katie Allen (12.5 ppg.) and Bekah Towles for head coach Jamie Walz Richey.
Juniors Mallory Adler and Natalie Homer give the Bluebirds depth in the backcourt.
Boone County (20-12) The Lady Rebels were expected to challenge for the region title this year until they lost their starting frontcourt before the season began.
6-2 junior Lacey Brasseaux moved away, and fellow 6-2 junior Cheryl Findley opted not to play.
However, head coach Nell Fookes does have some workable parts and a nice inside-outside combo in Katie Behrens and Jacy Bradley.
Behrens, a 6-0 senior, averaged 11.2 points, while Bradley, a 5-5 junior, led Boone County in assists at 5.5 a game.
Conner (21-10) The Lady Cougars have three starters returning, led by junior guard Allison Long and her 12.8 points a game.
Seniors Stephanie Hodges and Sammy Johns also return for head coach Kim Warfield.
Ninth Region Players to Watch
1. Christina Weaver (Holmes), 5-10, Jr.
2. Whitney Cundiff (Newport Central Catholic), 6-0, Sr.
3. Katie Behrens (Boone County), 6-0, Sr.
4. Katie Tierney (Notre Dame Academy), 5-7, Sr.
5. Casey Jackson (Notre Dame Academy), 5-7, Jr.
6. Allison Long (Conner), 5-7, Jr.
7. Katie Allen (Highlands), 5-5, Soph.
8. Jacy Bradley (Boone County), 5-6, Jr.
9. Brittany Webb (Holmes), 6-2, Jr.
10. Alyson Harmeling (Ryle), 5-11, Jr.
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
Notre Dame Academy (29-5) The Pandas lost their size but not their quickness and should be among the favorites to compete in a Ninth Region that appears more balanced this year.
Senior guard Katie Tierney suffered a knee injury in the opening game of the Sweet 16 last year and her recovery will determine how far the Pandas go in the postseason.
Tierney averaged seven points a game and led the team in steals. She was second in assists and grabbed three rebounds a game.
Junior Casey Jackson will be counted on to pick up some of the scoring slack early. She averaged 11 points and led the Pandas in 3-point shooting last year.
Seniors Casey Smith and Molly Johnson and junior Kirsten Delph provide backcourt depth, but head coach Cheryl Darpel must find some frontcourt help following the graduation of a pair of six-footers.
Newport Central Catholic (24-10) The Lady Breds return enough experience to challenge NDA and may have the advantage with 6-0 senior center Whitney Cundiff, who averaged 13 points and six rebounds last year.
Joining her in the frontcourt is six-foot sophomore Mariah Tabor.
NCC should be strong in the backcourt with the return of sophomore Courtney Sandfoss (9.8 ppg., 3.5 apg.), and seniors Savannah Simms and Abby Watson.
Holmes (14-13) Holmes got hot at the right time, advancing to the finals of the both the 35th District and Ninth Region tournaments where they lost to NDA both times.
Like Newport Central Catholic, the Bulldogs feature a strong inside game led by 6-2 junior Brittany Webb and 5-10 junior Christina Weaver, who averaged 13.8 points and 11.1 rebounds a game.
Serenity Walton and Taylor McNay return in the backcourt for Holmes, who is coached by Celeste Hill.
Highlands (16-11) Hopes are high in Fort Thomas after Highlands won 16 games and advanced to the region semifinals.
Seniors McKenzie Brock, Victoria Poindexter, and Alex Adler join sophomore Katie Allen (12.5 ppg.) and Bekah Towles for head coach Jamie Walz Richey.
Juniors Mallory Adler and Natalie Homer give the Bluebirds depth in the backcourt.
Boone County (20-12) The Lady Rebels were expected to challenge for the region title this year until they lost their starting frontcourt before the season began.
6-2 junior Lacey Brasseaux moved away, and fellow 6-2 junior Cheryl Findley opted not to play.
However, head coach Nell Fookes does have some workable parts and a nice inside-outside combo in Katie Behrens and Jacy Bradley.
Behrens, a 6-0 senior, averaged 11.2 points, while Bradley, a 5-5 junior, led Boone County in assists at 5.5 a game.
Conner (21-10) The Lady Cougars have three starters returning, led by junior guard Allison Long and her 12.8 points a game.
Seniors Stephanie Hodges and Sammy Johns also return for head coach Kim Warfield.
Ninth Region Players to Watch
1. Christina Weaver (Holmes), 5-10, Jr.
2. Whitney Cundiff (Newport Central Catholic), 6-0, Sr.
3. Katie Behrens (Boone County), 6-0, Sr.
4. Katie Tierney (Notre Dame Academy), 5-7, Sr.
5. Casey Jackson (Notre Dame Academy), 5-7, Jr.
6. Allison Long (Conner), 5-7, Jr.
7. Katie Allen (Highlands), 5-5, Soph.
8. Jacy Bradley (Boone County), 5-6, Jr.
9. Brittany Webb (Holmes), 6-2, Jr.
10. Alyson Harmeling (Ryle), 5-11, Jr.