GRC hosted the KABC Bluegrass Cardinal Classic on June 12-14, 2025. This is a scholastic live period event that gives high school teams the chance to play in front of college coaches in June. I got the chance to watch over 30 different teams compete across the 3 day event. To catch as many teams and players as possible, I was typically only able to see either half of a game or one full game for each team. However, I made note of the players that grabbed my attention in those games. Below you can see the 2028 players that caught my eye. These are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Kyleigh Chestnut
GRC | 5'7 | CG
Feel like Kyleigh has improved every time I watch her play. Feels automatic when she shoots it. Made great plays on both ends of the court. Had some strong finishes on both sides of the basket. Contributed in so many different ways and was super solid throughout.
Maliah Courtney
Elizabethtown | 5'10 | PG
A walking bucket. In an event FULL of talent, easily one of the best performances I saw across the 3 days. Can create a ton of scoring opportunities in so many different ways even with good defenders guarding her. Finished some of the toughest shots consistently. Strong handles and a variety of moves she can utilize as a PG. Played with a high motor on the defensive end of the court too consistently looking to get her hands on the ball.
2028 5’10 PG Maliah Courtney (@Maliah_Courtney) with Elizabethtown at the Cardinal Classic👀🔥
— Alyx White (@alyxwhite_) June 18, 2025
Walking bucket🪣 In an event FULL of talent, easily one of the best performances I saw across the 3 days. Can create a ton of scoring opportunities in so many different ways even with… pic.twitter.com/jMCQS0ppoV
Maddi Frohnapfel
Hazard | 5'10 | PG
Excellent court vision and delivered multiple full court passes with ease. Keeps head on a swivel when running the point & handled the ball well even when pressured. Kept the offense running smoothly & was vocal throughout the game. Scored at all 3 levels and had some great moves to create space from defense. Strong PG skillset all-around.
2028 5’10 PG Maddi Frohnapfel (@mfrohnapfel05) with Hazard at the Cardinal Classic👀🤩
— Alyx White (@alyxwhite_) June 19, 2025
Excellent court vision and delivered multiple full court passes with ease. Keeps head on a swivel when running the point & handled the ball well even when pressured. Kept the offense running… pic.twitter.com/HpYByKoSTo
Riley Gilvin
Sacred Heart | 5'7 | CG
Gilvin can really impact the game and brings so much energy defensively. The moment has never been too big for her – always poised and ready to go. Clearly ready to step up scoring role this season & has proven to be a scoring threat inside and out. Makes strong cuts to the basket. Constantly gets in the passing lanes. Contributes in so many different ways.
2028 CG Riley Gilvin (@Riley_Gilvin) with Sacred Heart at the Cardinal Classic👀🌟
— Alyx White (@alyxwhite_) June 19, 2025
Gilvin can really impact the game and brings so much energy defensively. The moment has never been too big for her - always poised and ready to go. Clearly ready to step up scoring role this… pic.twitter.com/lYVdmEhlyT
Breigh Jones
Grayson County | 5'7 | PG/SG
Jones has really nice guard skills with the ability to be a true floor general at the point or impactful on the wings. Scored inside and out with excellent recognition of when to take it all the way and when to distribute or set up the offense. Saw the floor & made some great passes. Very unselfish. Love how vocal Breigh was calling out plays on both ends of the court and getting the offense in the right places.
2028 5’7 PG/SG Breigh Jones (@BreighJones2028) with Grayson County at the Cardinal Classic👀🌟
— Alyx White (@alyxwhite_) June 19, 2025
Jones has really nice guard skills with the ability to be a true floor general at the point or impactful on the wings. Scored inside and out with excellent recognition of when to take… pic.twitter.com/E6pshwFDOk
Kendall Kearney
Great Crossing | 5'5 | CG
Kendall has a really smooth game. Handled the ball well and recognized when to push pace. Caught ready to fire and knocked down shots from deep. Consistently ran the floor. Got team set up in offense. Wasn’t afraid to draw charges defensively.
Alicia Magnum
Manual | 5'9 | CG
Definitely going to be one of the top players in the 7th Region and seems poised to have a big season. Excellent shooter and scorer overall. Makes everything look effortless. Truly took over the game at times, making a lot of stuff happen on both ends of the court.
Nakiah Mejia
Purcell Marian | 5'7 | CG
Very talented guard who can be effective both on and off of the ball. To put it simply, makes a lot happen, whether that means scoring or creating. High basketball IQ and made smart plays consistently. Shot the ball so well and didn’t need much space at all to get shots off.
Kylie Moore
Assumption | 5'11 | SF/SG
Excellent hands – made some great catches and was extremely disruptive defensively with the ability to get deflections/steals both on the ball and in the passing lanes. Was a scoring threat inside and out. Elevated to grab rebounds. Long and active.
Sophia Newby
Owensboro Catholic | 5'11 | G/F
Was reading the passing lanes well and coming up with steals or deflections. Really reliable player for the Aces on both ends of the court. Definitely a shooting threat who can also score around the basket. Good length and athleticism.
Se'Rae Palmer
Assumption | 5'4 | PG
Elite playmaking ability off the bounce. Definitely one of the quickest players I saw with and without the ball. Throws some absolute dimes and is always looking to create for teammates while also being able to score on her own. Great handles & so good at changing speeds.
Tahri Ralston
Sacred Heart | 5'7 | CG
Ralston was scoring through contact and scoring in so many different ways. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a double-digit scoring average this season. Was super solid throughout the game for Sacred Heart on both ends of the court.
Sydney Richmond
Scott | 5'9 | CG
Knocked down outside shots. Made the extra pass to find shooters on the wing. Elevated to grab rebounds off the rim. Up 1 with 10 seconds to go, Sydney made a huge defensive play to help her team get the steal and solidify the comeback win.
Hannah Smith
Grayson County | 6'3 | C
Hannah has great hands and touch around the basket. Excellent length and uses that to keep ball high and away from the defense. Rebounded strong. Showed a variety of post moves. Spaced the floor really well, especially when guards were driving to the basket.
Karlea Stanley
Johnson Central | 5'8 | PG
Such a solid PG. Contributes in every way imaginable. Can knock down shots quickly on the move, off the dribble, or when set on the perimeter. Strong drives and great recognition of when to take it all the way and when to kick it. Excellent handles and stayed poised under pressure. Came up good steals defensively.