IMPORTANT NOTES

• Varsity and JV teams will play on two adjacent courts at the Basketball Academy.  The JV game will start one hour before the varsity game begins and consist of two twenty minute halves (running time). This will allow JV players time to participate in the entire varsity game.
• Varsity games will be two twenty minute halves for a total of 40 minutes with the clock stopping on dead balls, free-throws, etc.
• Due to KHSAA rules, the scoreboard will be erased at halftime.
• MVP award for a player on each team in varsity games.
• 15 T-shirts for each varsity team and a gift for the head coach.
• The Basketball Academy will provide basketballs.
• Internet coverage (pre and post game coverage) by Ron Harrison at http://www.kyprephoops.com

Game coverage will be provided upon completion of the event.

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Bullitt East

Coach Chris Stallings' Lady Chargers finished 21-11 last season competing in the tough 6th Region.  The Lady Chargers graduated two of their best players, 5-9 Whitney Hanley who signed with Austin Peay, and 5-10 Kelly Harrod who signed with Spalding.  5-10 Jr. Kayla Thacker is a versatile player who scores off the dribble or with her jump shot.  5-8 Sr. Chelsey Smith is another versatile performer who will be among the better players in the region.  5-11 Shelby Romine can either play the power forward or center position.  5-6 So. Jessica Philpott moves up to the varsity and can score, handle, and defend. 

Paris

Coach Terence Brooks' Lady Hounds finished 17-10 last season and represented the 10th Region last year with a runner-up finish in the All "A" Classic.  Coach Brooks graduated five key seniors from last year's squad including four starters.  The Lady Hounds will be led by 5-9 Sr. Emily Hinkson who averaged 13 ppg and 9 rpg.  5-5 Sr. Talaken Myers will be the defensive sparkplug.  Other returning players include 5-8 So. Morgan Crain, 5-5 Jr. Kendall Cassity, and 5-4 Jr. Alex Rankin. 

Iroquois

Coach Al Northington's Lady Raiders finished 27-4 last season and not only will be a favorite to win the 6th Region but also be considered one of the very best teams in the state.  They return four players considered to be among the best in the region.  5-9 Sr. Adia Mathies scores both inside and out and will be one of the favorites for Miss Basketball.  5-5 Sr. Asia Mathies is a fierce competitor who directs the offense.  5-6 Sr. Kayla Hickman excels in transition, understands the game, and has a good shot.  5-8 Jr. Victoria Brown is an athletic frontliner who gets results in the paint.  5-6 Sr. Stafonia Taylor is another talented returning starter. 

Highlands

Coach Jaime Walz Richey's Bluebirds finished 21-10 last season and will be one of the favorites to capture the 9th Region title this season.  The Bluebirds should have a very deep, experienced squad this season with the ability to play uptempo and score in transition. 

5-8 Jr. guard Katie Allen can play either guard position and averaged 10.7 ppg and 4.3 apg last season.  6-0 Jr. Bekah Towles is a solid post player who averaged 10.3 ppg and 5.8 rpg.  5-9 Sr. Mallory Adler is a speedy athletic guard who had a big summer.  5-8 Sr. Sam Messmer is an excellent defender and a vocal leader.  5-7 Sr. guard Natalie Horner is the team's best three point shooter.  5-6 So. Allie Conner was coming on strong last season before a late season injury. 

Christian Academy of Louisville

Coach Don Rice's Lady Centurions finished 17-12 last season, but had a great summer and should challenge for the 7th Region title this season.  The Lady Centurions are quick and are very strong on the defensive end.  6-2 Jr. Antonita Slaughter has worked hard on her overall game and has tremendous range on her jump shot.  5-10 Sr. Clair Buchanan is a good defender and scores off her jump shot.  5-10 Jr. Allison Karst is expected to be a key contributor in the backcourt. 

Owensboro Catholic

Coach Ray Zuberer's Lady Aces finished 22-9 last season and should contend for the 3rd Region title this season.  The Lady Aces should have a very deep, experienced squad this season with the ability to play uptempo and score in transition.  5-8 Sr. Rachel Greenwell (14.7 ppg) is a multi-skilled individual with good range on her jump shot.  5-8 Sr. Hannah Gerteisen (8.2 ppg) is a solid defender and scorer.  5-10 8th grader Becca Greenwell (6.9 ppg) is expected to have a break-out season this year.  5-10 Sr. forward Jessica Goetz (4.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and 5-6 Jr. forward Kaley Robertson (6.7 ppg) will also start for Owensboro Catholic this year. 

DuPont Manual

Coach Stacy Pendleton's Lady Crimsons finished 30-6 last season and graduated four key players.  Despite the losses including 5-6 Sr. guard Jordan Trimble opting to not play basketball this season after deciding to concentrate on softball, this team is loaded.  They are long, athletic, quick, and work extremely hard. 

6-1 Sr. center Avery Jones averaged 12.7 ppg and 7.8 rpg last season.  6-2 Jr. Zakiyah Martin and 6-2 Jr. Brittney Turner have unlimited potential.  5-10 So. Mechael Guess is agile and athletic.  5-7 Sr. Janie Klein and 5-5 Sr. Denisha Harbison are expected to log quality minutes.  Other players competing for playing time include 5-8 So. Nicole Lauterbach, 5-8 So. Taylor Zuberer, Raven Hester, and Lorraine Carner.  5-10 Sr. forward Jordaun Brooks returns after sitting out her junior year. 

The Lady Crimsons also have four incoming freshmen who appear to be poised for future stardom.  5-10 guard Kara Wright (slasher and scorer), April Wilson (point guard with great court awareness), LeAsia Wright (quick point guard with good pull-up jumper), and Lauren Bodine (deadly 3-point shooter) should all provide help this year. 

Hart County

Coach Tommy Adams' Lady Raiders finished 21-12 last season playing in the very competitive 5th Region.  5-9 Sr. Lindsay Highbaugh averaged 13 ppg and is a deadly three point shooter.  5-11 Fr. center Lindsey Burd averaged 7.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg.  5-7 Fr. Lexee Wilson is a point guard who will help provide leadership.  Coach Adams expects to see the team improve as the season progresses and expects to utilize a deep rotation.  The Lady Raiders intend to be very aggressive on defense and create offense by their defense.

Butler

Coach Eddy Wilson's Bearettes finished 33-5 last season and captured the 6th Region title and the state championship.  Butler graduated six seniors including Miss Basketball Tia Gibbs.  Even with the losses, the Bearettes return several players who contributed quality minutes in the championship run last season. 

5-11 Sr. center/forward Tiara Hopper is an athletic frontliner who gets it done in the paint.  Other players expected to be key contributors are 5-6 Sr. Shontel Bates, 5-7 Jr. Whitney Reed, 5-8 So. Megan Cuerton, and 5-5 So. Heather Wheat. 

Sacred Heart Academy

Coach Donna Moir's Valkyries finished 18-13 last season and once again will be one of the best teams in the 7th Region.  Sacred Heart graduated five seniors but they have talent returning this season. 

5-6 Jr. Autumn Miller is a very athletic guard who has good range on her jump shot.  Several other players including 5-5 So. Maddie Peabody, 5-11 So. Morgan Clemons, and 5-11 Jr. Jackie Hafele are expected to be key contributors. 

Mercy Academy

Coach Mark Evans' Mercy Jaguars finished 19-14 last season and if the Jaguars can get healthy and stay healthy could challenge for the 7th Region championship this season. 

5-10 Jr. Madison Hardy and 5-9 Sr. Catherine Montano are valuable frontliners recovering from injuries but should be ready by early to midseason.  The Jaguars have an excellent group of guards including 5-9 Jr. Therese Montano, 5-8 Jr. Ellen Sholtes 5-8 Jr. Malisa Cruz, 5-8 So.Juliann Miller, and 5-5 So.Lauren Faris.  The group is experienced, quick, and talented.  Therese Montano is one of the best guards in the state when healthy. 

Nelson County

Coach Kelly Wood's Lady Cardinals finished 17-15 last season and are expected to be one of the best teams in the 5th Region.  Nelson County only graduated two seniors and return a lot of talent. 

6-3 Jr. Samantha Drake runs the floor extremely well and is difficult to defend in the paint.  5-5 Sr. Sarah Beth Gillis is an excellent floor general and has three point range.  5-10 Sr. Sarah Beth Hutchins is another seasoned performer and the Lady Cardinals should get quality time from several juniors who gained experience last season. 

Team capsules are ©2008 by Ron Harrison. 
Please direct your comments to Ron Harrison at prephoops@yahoo.com.