Rise Up Athlete Spotlight:

The 2022-23 season has officially begun and games are coming at the end of this month! While we anxiously await, let’s take a look at some of the top returning scorers in the state going into this season. All 5 of these Rise Up Athletes or Ambassadors averaged 20+ points per game last season and finished in the top 21 for scoring statewide.

1) Kensley Feltner (26.9 PPG)

KHSAA Leaderboards:

• #1 Scoring Leaders (26.9 ppg)
• #48 Field Goal Percentage (53.2%)

2021-22 Stats:

26.9 ppg / 9.2 rpg / 53.2% FG / 22% 3pt FG / 73.9% FT

Kentucky’s leading scorer from last season, Kensley Feltner, scored 102 more points than the next highest scorer on the list, so it’s safe to say that she can score at a high level and that is obvious when you watch her play. She’s an extremely tough defensive assignment for opposing teams and most teams do not have an answer as to how to stop her from putting the ball in the basket. Every single year of her high school career, Feltner has helped her team advance one round further than they had the previous year. Last season, she led them to the 15th Region Championship where they barely fell short in OT. If she can stay on track, this year, she’ll be looking to finish off her high school career with a trip to the KHSAA Sweet 16. Feltner is committed to play at Belmont University next season.

2) Timberlynn Yeast (20.9 PPG)

KHSAA Leaderboards:

• #14 Scoring Leaders (20.9 ppg)

2021-22 Stats:

20.9 ppg / 8.4 rpg / 52% FG / 22.2% 3pt FG / 66.5% FT

Yeast has limitless potential. She is one of the most athletic players in Kentucky and when you pair that with the talent she has, you have an absolute star. Yeast can score in crafty ways around the basket and she finishes extremely well, even with contact. She makes smart decisions on the floor and she has been really solid all-around every single time I have gotten the chance to watch her play. She is the kind of player that could score 0 points and she would still stand out to you because she brings so much more to the court than simply scoring. Yeast is committed to play at the University at Buffalo next season.

3) Dea Bradley (20.8 PPG)

KHSAA Leaderboards:

• T-#15 Scoring Leaders (20.8 ppg)

2021-22 Stats:

20.8 ppg / 3.1 rpg / 51.3% FG / 36.2% 3pt FG / 70.3% FT

Bradley can run the point or play off of the ball, but either way, she produces big numbers. She has excellent ball handling skills, along with a high basketball IQ, so she can really create good looks for her teammates. However, Bradley can also create for herself, so she keeps the defense constantly guessing. While she is rarely one of the biggest players on the floor, she is typically one of the most effective scorers on the floor. Bradley can score at all 3 levels and it’s tough to find a 2024 with more impressive overall stats than her.

4) Haven Ford (20.4 PPG)

KHSAA Leaderboards:

• #18 Scoring Leaders (20.4 ppg)
• #12 Free Throw Percentage (82.1%)
• T-#49 Rebounds Leaders (9.7 rpg)

2021-22 Stats:

20.4 ppg / 9.7 rpg / 44% FG / 32.6% 3pt FG / 82.1% FT

Ford continues to showcase her elite skills and she seems to continuously break nearly every statistical record at Rowan County. She is her school’s all-time leading scorer and assist leader going into this season. Her career stats are beyond impressive: 2489 points, 1058 rebounds, 617 assists, and 538 steals. Ford has the ability to single-handedly take over a game. However, she has excellent teammates around her and is far from a selfish player, as is illustrated by the amount of assists she’s dished out. Ford is committed to play at Murray State University next year.

5) Leah Macy (20.1 PPG)

KHSAA Leaderboards:

• T-#21 Scoring Leaders (20.1 ppg)
• T-#5 Field Goal Percentage (62.3%)
• #6 Rebounds Leaders (12.3 rpg)
• #28 Free Throw Percentage (79.4%)

2021-22 Stats:

20.1 ppg / 12.3 rpg / 62.3% FG / 31.5% 3pt FG / 79.4% FT

Macy is the youngest player on this list, having put up the impressive numbers above as a freshman in HS. She’s not only one of the best players in the state, regardless of class, but she’s actually a top 17 player nationally. Macy is one of the most talented all-around players that this state has seen. She can do a little bit of everything and she does it at an extremely high level. I’m not sure how Macy can even improve on the numbers she had last season because they are truly mind-blowing, especially for a player in the 2025 class, but she’s a special player and if anyone can make it happen, it’s Leah Macy.