The Scribe
11-26-2007, 02:31 AM
BGP Third Region Girls' Preview
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
1. MUHLENBERG NORTH (26-8) - The Lady Stars first want to make sure they have everybody back healthy, and no player moreso than Rachel Underwood, a 6-foot-1 senior who spent most of last season trying to heal from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
“She’s getting to where she’s moving a lot better,” North coach Mike Harper said. “By the time the season starts she will be moving like she was before.”
Underwood did play late last season, and that helped North beat Owensboro in the regional championship game.
Abby Steele, a 5-8 senior, was the team’s leading scorer at 15.5 points a game and rebounder with 6.5 a game. Whitney Gaston averaged 13.5 points a game while hitting a state-best 3.6 3-point shots a game. Gaston and Whitney Springer are 5-5 senior guards.
Brittany Everly started at center and is a 5-5 junior. She will move to forward or guard with the return of Underwood.
The Lady Stars won 16 in a row late last season, so they know how to peak at the right time.
2. OWENSBORO (20-10) - It all starts with Janae Howard for the Lady Devils. The 6-1 senior is one of the top all-around players in the state, had made a significant name for herself on the summer elite circuit. She has already committed to the University of Louisville.
Howard averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds a game last year and OHS coach Emily Hernandez is looking for more this season.
One reason for that is Howard’s ability, another is that OHS must replace the scoring and leadership lost with the graduation of Brittany Douglas, Tasia Smith and Ashley Prince.
Amashi Kendall, a raw talent as a 6-1 junior, will pick up more minutes in the pivot. She is a capable athlete who plays volleyball and has also won state championships in the shot put and the discus.
Nikki Johnson is a 5-7 junior who has played point guard since she was an eighth grader.
3. OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (22-9) - This was the surprise team of the 3rd Region last year after winning just nine games in 2006. The Lady Aces won the 9th District Tournament and reached the semifinals of the regional.
Jessica Adkins is a 5-8 senior who will likely start at point guard after playing forward lat year. She averaged 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds a game.
Rachel Greenwell is a 5-8 junior guard who scored 13.4 points and led the team with 51 3-pointers.
Hannah Gerteisen is the third starter back and Jessica Goetz should move into a starting role after being the sixth player last year.
4. OHIO COUNTY (22-8) - The Lady Eagles are optimistic despite losing top scorers Erin Adams and Lauren Goff.
Mariah Robinson is a 5-7 senior point guard who averaged 12 points a game. Courtney Albin is a 5-8 senior who averaged eight points but has drawn the interest of some colleges with her guard play.
Jo Jurgens is a 6-2 pivot player and Jensen Keown is a 5-7 senior who will add some toughness inside.
5. APOLLO (17-13) The E-Gals struggled some last year, especially after Ranisha Cason left the team late in the season. The 6-1 inside player averaged 15 points and 12.5 rebounds a game. She will return with the approval of Coach Jason Powers.
Ellen Gray and Jenna Johnson, also a 6-footer, also return for their senior year.
Daviona Parm and Jana Harrison can help in the backcourt, where three players graduated.
Third Region Players to Watch
1. Janae Howard, Owensboro, Sr., 6-1, G-F
2. Rachel Underwood, Muhlenberg North, Sr., 6-1, C
3. Ra’Nisha Cason, Apollo, Sr., 6-1, F-C
4. Abby Steele, Muhlenberg North, Sr., 5-8, G
5. Jessica Adkins, Owensboro Catholic, Sr., 5-8, G
6. Mariah Robinson, Ohio County, Sr., 5-7, G
7. Amashi Kendall, Owensboro, Jr., 6-2, C
8. Rachel Greenwell, Owensboro Catholic, Jr., 5-8, G
9. Courtey Albin, Ohio County, Sr., 5-8, G
10. Natosha Hunt, Edmonson County, Sr., 6-4, C
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
1. MUHLENBERG NORTH (26-8) - The Lady Stars first want to make sure they have everybody back healthy, and no player moreso than Rachel Underwood, a 6-foot-1 senior who spent most of last season trying to heal from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
“She’s getting to where she’s moving a lot better,” North coach Mike Harper said. “By the time the season starts she will be moving like she was before.”
Underwood did play late last season, and that helped North beat Owensboro in the regional championship game.
Abby Steele, a 5-8 senior, was the team’s leading scorer at 15.5 points a game and rebounder with 6.5 a game. Whitney Gaston averaged 13.5 points a game while hitting a state-best 3.6 3-point shots a game. Gaston and Whitney Springer are 5-5 senior guards.
Brittany Everly started at center and is a 5-5 junior. She will move to forward or guard with the return of Underwood.
The Lady Stars won 16 in a row late last season, so they know how to peak at the right time.
2. OWENSBORO (20-10) - It all starts with Janae Howard for the Lady Devils. The 6-1 senior is one of the top all-around players in the state, had made a significant name for herself on the summer elite circuit. She has already committed to the University of Louisville.
Howard averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds a game last year and OHS coach Emily Hernandez is looking for more this season.
One reason for that is Howard’s ability, another is that OHS must replace the scoring and leadership lost with the graduation of Brittany Douglas, Tasia Smith and Ashley Prince.
Amashi Kendall, a raw talent as a 6-1 junior, will pick up more minutes in the pivot. She is a capable athlete who plays volleyball and has also won state championships in the shot put and the discus.
Nikki Johnson is a 5-7 junior who has played point guard since she was an eighth grader.
3. OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (22-9) - This was the surprise team of the 3rd Region last year after winning just nine games in 2006. The Lady Aces won the 9th District Tournament and reached the semifinals of the regional.
Jessica Adkins is a 5-8 senior who will likely start at point guard after playing forward lat year. She averaged 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds a game.
Rachel Greenwell is a 5-8 junior guard who scored 13.4 points and led the team with 51 3-pointers.
Hannah Gerteisen is the third starter back and Jessica Goetz should move into a starting role after being the sixth player last year.
4. OHIO COUNTY (22-8) - The Lady Eagles are optimistic despite losing top scorers Erin Adams and Lauren Goff.
Mariah Robinson is a 5-7 senior point guard who averaged 12 points a game. Courtney Albin is a 5-8 senior who averaged eight points but has drawn the interest of some colleges with her guard play.
Jo Jurgens is a 6-2 pivot player and Jensen Keown is a 5-7 senior who will add some toughness inside.
5. APOLLO (17-13) The E-Gals struggled some last year, especially after Ranisha Cason left the team late in the season. The 6-1 inside player averaged 15 points and 12.5 rebounds a game. She will return with the approval of Coach Jason Powers.
Ellen Gray and Jenna Johnson, also a 6-footer, also return for their senior year.
Daviona Parm and Jana Harrison can help in the backcourt, where three players graduated.
Third Region Players to Watch
1. Janae Howard, Owensboro, Sr., 6-1, G-F
2. Rachel Underwood, Muhlenberg North, Sr., 6-1, C
3. Ra’Nisha Cason, Apollo, Sr., 6-1, F-C
4. Abby Steele, Muhlenberg North, Sr., 5-8, G
5. Jessica Adkins, Owensboro Catholic, Sr., 5-8, G
6. Mariah Robinson, Ohio County, Sr., 5-7, G
7. Amashi Kendall, Owensboro, Jr., 6-2, C
8. Rachel Greenwell, Owensboro Catholic, Jr., 5-8, G
9. Courtey Albin, Ohio County, Sr., 5-8, G
10. Natosha Hunt, Edmonson County, Sr., 6-4, C