John Hardin vs Hazard
John Hardin (55) — Gregory 25, Charlotte McCurry 18, Kennedy 6, Caroline McCurry 4, White 2
Hazard (45) — Frohnapfel 15, Everidge 10, Eddington 6, Caudill 6, Combs 3, Davidson 3, Pennington 2
This was a battle between two of the youngest teams in the state and they both showed they have very bright futures ahead of them. John Hardin ultimately pulled off the win, but it was a battle from start to finish. The X factor for JHS had to be one of the only upperclassmen in this game, Patricia Gregory, who finished with 25 points along with a multitude of rebounds. Gregory was working really hard on the boards and handled contact well in the post. Gregory actually closed the game out by hitting the elam ending target score on a free throw.
The other big scoring threat for John Hardin was eighth-grader Charlotte McCurry, who finished with 18 points. McCurry made some nice drives and finished well around the rim. She also showed the ability to step out and score at all 3 levels. The offense really ran the best when McCurry was getting touches and she made good decisions overall.
Fellow eighth-grader Lilly White ran the point and did a great job facilitating the offense. Her quick first step made it very hard for defenders to stay in front.
For Hazard, the third quarter was really the only time they let John Hardin build a bit of a lead. Overall, they were able to keep things close and a big reason behind that was freshman Maddi Frohnapfel and sophomore Laura Everidge, who both finished in double figures.
Maddi Frohnapfel did a great job being the floor general, making the right reads and handling any pressure that was thrown her way. She also was showing off her outside shooting, knocking down back-to-back triples in that third quarter when her team needed it the most.
Laura Everidge also stepped into the PG spot a few times and ran the offense well, but she also played off of the ball and showed a lot of versatility. Everidge was able to score at all 3 levels and made some really nice moves around the basket to get defenders to shift.
Bray Eddington and Hannah Caudill did a great job handling the interior for Hazard. Eddington’s length and ability to move her feet defensively allowed her to make things tough on the offense. Caudill wasn’t forcing, but was posting hard and recognizing where open teammates were at. They both did a good job on the boards as well.
Danville Christian vs Simon Kenton
Simon Kenton (58) — Pernell 12, Webb 8, Kelch 8, Ober 6, Kabeya 5, Gadzala 4, Couch 4, Niece 3, Knop 2, Neltner 2, Wiggins 2. *Missing a basket*
Danville Christian (33) — Quisenberry 14, Blackford 12, Metz 3, Meyer 2, Gjoci 2
Simon Kenton rolled past Danville Christian on Saturday, but it is worth noting that DCA was without their star player, Grace Mbugua (Louisville WBB commit). However, that doesn’t take away from the message Simon Kenton sent, which is that they will once again be a force to be reckoned within the 8th Region and beyond.
What I really loved from the Pioneers was how they pushed the pace from the start and never let off the gas. They were running the floor extremely well and were all over the place defensively, applying excellent defensive pressure. The guard/forward duo of sophomore Brynli Pernell and junior Haylie Webb provides a really tough 1-2 punch and they have strong pieces around them that make Simon Kenton a really complete team.
Brynli Pernell is as tough as they come. She always displays a fearless attitude and approach to the game. Pernell handles the ball well and can handle a lot of defensive pressure, recognizing where to pass the ball and when she is able to weave through defenders. Pernell showed off her ability to score in a variety of ways, running the floor well, getting to the rim, and pulling up off the bounce.
Haylie Webb is one of the most underrated players you’re going to find. Webb has great movement and footwork for a forward and that allows her to be a disruptive defender. She also can block shots using her length. Offensively, she has excellent touch around the basket and she uses a variety of moves to keep the defense questioning what she will do next. Also has the ability to step out and knock down shots consistently. I was really impressed by her passing on Saturday as well, especially in transition and out of the post.
While that duo will likely remain the leading scorers for the Pioneers, there are multiple players that will be consistent scoring threats this season. Junior Anna Kelch is definitely someone that can score in double figures in any given game and she does a great job on the boards. Kelch showed the ability to score inside or out, along with off the dribble or the catch on Saturday. Fellow junior Megan Gadzala is the kind of player every team needs because she does all of the little things that require a lot of effort and don’t always get the recognition. Gadzala plays hard and makes good things happen on both ends of the court.
There are multiple other Simon Kenton players I could mention because they were all impacting the game, including 11 different players getting in the scorebook, but the one other I feel I really need to include in this article is freshman Bella Ober. Ober has the chance to be a really special player and she demonstrated that on Saturday. She’s a good shooter and has good handles, but the hesi and other moves she was using to get a step on defenders was very impressive.
Danville Christian will certainly miss Grace Mbugua until she makes her return to the court, but they still have some good players that will allow them to compete until she’s back. Senior Alaya Quisenberry was a great addition for the Warriors. She ran the point and facilitated the offense. Quisenberry did a great job creating scoring opportunities for herself off of the bounce, while also distributing well to teammates. Adding another scoring option and a ball handler like her will definitely make DCA a team to watch this season, especially once Mbugua is back.
Junior Amauri Blackford proved to be another reliable option to lead Danville Christian. Blackford will likely average a double-double this season and will be the key for the Warriors on both sides of the ball early on. Defensively, she provides a strong presence that makes things tough on opposing teams down low. Offensively, Blackford made good post moves and showed an ability to finish through contact. She also did a great job staying with it and not giving up after a miss.
North Laurel vs Assumption
Assumption (57) — Duck 17, James 9, Moore 7, Palmer 7, Hall 6, Allen 6, Campisano 5
North Laurel (41) — Nichelson 25, Claybrook 9, Combs 5, Lewis 2
Assumption is the new team to watch in Kentucky this year, similarly to how teams like Sacred Heart, GRC, Franklin County, McCracken County, etc have been in the past few years. They are a legitimate contender with a lot of different weapons and they will not be an easy team to knock off. I knew they had a ton of offensive threats, but what I was most impressed by was their defensive intensity. They were applying a ton of pressure and brought all the energy.
Assumption has so much depth that there are legitimately 8 players I want to at least mention here because of what they brought to the court. Senior Bailee Duck is an absolute difference maker – her quick, smooth handles make her a difficult player to stay in front of and she can score at all 3 levels. Duck also just creates a lot of great looks for her teammates by drawing help defenders on drives. The same can be said for junior Ashlinn James who is just a special talent, plain and simple. While she could just take 30 shots a game herself, she instead plays unselfish team basketball and recognizes the times when her team needs her to get a bucket. James can also score at all 3 levels and has elite ball handling skills. Both of these players can lock up ball handlers on the defensive end as well.
Some other players that were big for the Rockets include seniors Kyleigh Hall and Lauren Campisano, juniors Ava Moore, Jaida Allen, and Maggie Young, and freshman Se’Rae Bundent-Palmer and Kylie Moore. Kyleigh Hall showed a lot of versatility with her ability to make an impact inside and out on both ends of the court. Hall made a lot of smart plays on Saturday. Lauren Campisano is super solid and can definitely be relied upon to make an impact; it really felt like she was a glue piece a lot of the times she was on the court.
Ava Moore is another versatile player who can be effective inside or out. Moore was able to provide good interior defense and rebounding while also making the defense respect her scoring ability on the other end. Jaida Allen, Maggie Young, and Se’Rae Bundent-Palmer brought a ton of energy off the bench. Allen made some strong drives to the hoop and wasn’t afraid to take contact, converting at the free throw line. She also did a great job having active hands defensively. Young was a spark plug on the defensive end and handled pressure well on the offensive end. Bundent-Palmer is a defensive menace who also showed the ability to knock down the 3-ball or get to the rim using her low handles and speed. Kylie Moore stepped up on the interior and was not making things easy on the defensive end.
North Laurel is another team you better watch for this season, especially with a player as special as senior Brooke Nichelson (Murray State WBB commit). You aren’t going to find many, if any, true guards that are as efficient as Nichelson. She legitimately plays with the efficiency of a post player who only takes shots around the basket, despite that not being the case at all. Remember how I said I was really impressed by Assumption’s defense? Well, Nichelson put up 25 points on that defense, scoring at all levels and breaking down the defense in a way I don’t think many other players will be able to. Just a very special talent who can do a little bit of everything on the court. Elite athleticism and excellent shot blocking ability.
Two other Jaguars really stood out to me as well: sophomore Mariella Claybrook and junior Haley Combs. Mariella Claybrook has excellent length and is poised to have a breakout season. Claybrook scored in some crafty ways around the basket and showed her outside shooting capabilities. She can use her length to be disruptive defensively and will definitely be a player that impacts the game on both ends of the court.
Haley Combs also makes a big impact on both sides of the ball. Combs is the point guard for this team and she truly envisions everything you want to see from your PG. She can handle pressure well, she sees the floor and delivers good passes, and she can take it herself when needed. Combs made smart plays with the ball and was very active defensively. Freshman Bella Lewis is another player to keep an eye on for North Laurel – facing one of the most talented teams in the state, Lewis held her own and showed a ton of potential. Lewis isn’t the only freshman/young player to make an impact either… North Laurel definitely has a bright future ahead.
Ashland Blazer vs Scott
Scott (68) — Mejia 27, Price 13, Kaia Peterson 11, Holcomb 5, Kourtney Peterson 4, Porada 3, Patterson 3, Sanders 2
Ashland Blazer (64) — Neese 17, Duckwyler 13, Karle 10, Delaney 10, Troxler 9, Scites 3, Rogers 2
These teams came to compete on Saturday and it was a fight until the end. Scott was ultimately able to hold off the Kittens for the win in large part thanks to freshman Nakiah Mejia who put up nearly 30 points for the Eagles. Mejia was doing more than just scoring too. She was crashing the boards well, played great defense, and made some nice passes. Really did a little bit of everything and was vital in helping her team get the dub. Mejia showed why she should be viewed as one of the top freshmen in the state and is poised to have a very big season.
Scott had another freshman come up big and finish in double figures as well: Noelle Price. Price was showing off her sharpshooting, knocking down multiple 3’s and showing good range on her shot. Price makes the defense respect more than just her shooting though as she has the ability to make stuff happen off the bounce as well. Senior Kaia Peterson will be a huge piece of the puzzle once again for the Eagles. She came up with some really big plays on the defensive end and finished well around the basket on the other end. Peterson has a lot of versatility in her game and is a tough matchup. Fellow senior Arianna Patterson and sophomores Haley Holcomb and Kourtney Peterson also played key roles in the win, especially providing defensive stops and energy. Eighth-grader Molly Porada is another player to keep an eye on as she showed some serious potential. Overall, Scott is a very disciplined team who shares the ball well and is definitely a team to watch for not only this season, but for seasons to come as well.
Ashland Blazer fought hard and showed a ton of potential, especially considering that they are currently without one of the best players in the state, senior Kenleigh Woods (EKU WBB commit) and they were also missing another talented starter in Aryanna Gulley. However, senior Emilee Neese is going to quickly remind everyone why she’s one of the best players in the 16th Region. Neese led the way for the Kittens and showed that she’s poised to have a big season ahead. Neese was scoring at all levels and made some tough drives to the hoops, scoring in some crafty ways around the rim. She also uses her length well on the defensive end.
Sophomore Brookelyn Duckwyler was one of the most impressive players I watched all day because of the competitive edge she brought to the court. While she can definitely score the ball, she brings so much more to the court. She made nice moves with the ball, saw the floor well, delivered some really nice passes, and truly just did all of the dirty work to help put her team in a good position. Duckwyler is a high IQ player whose energy and effort was really fun to watch. A lot of those same sentiments can be said about junior Gabby Karle. I always enjoy the energy and heart Karle plays with. She’s a tough competitor who makes a big difference on both ends of the court. Karle is honestly the kind of player who always gives you a shot because she’s never going to stop fighting.
And while we’re talking about tough players, sophomore Jenna Delaney was making a big impact on Saturday. She was all over the place defensively and made some strong drives on the offensive end. Delaney did a great job drawing fouls and getting to the line. She also was crashing the boards hard. Sophomore Alexis Troxler finished some nice shots around the basket and also did a good job on the boards. Everyone who played contributed in some way and the Kittens definitely showed why they are the team to beat in the 16th Region, especially when fully healthy.
Montgomery County vs Taylor County
Taylor County (54) — Bale 15, Deener 14, Jackson 8, Bradstreet 4, Phillips 3, Raikes 2, Vernon 2, Sprowles 2, Travis 2 *Missing a basket*
Montgomery County (42) — Warner 16, Terry 10, Mays 10, Fouch 2, Wilson 2, Orazen 2
Taylor County brought ALL of the energy to the last game of the day and will be a very fun team to watch this season. They may be young overall, but they have some nice experience and definitely love to compete. Senior Grace Bale showed off her 3-level scoring ability, including some really deep range on her outside shot. Bale was able to get a step on defenders off the bounce and when she didn’t score it, she was making great passes to her teammates. She threw some absolute dimes in transition.
The more I watch Kennedy Deener, the more I am convinced she has an excellent argument for top eighth grader in the state. She doesn’t play like someone who is still in middle school at all. Deener can score in very crafty ways off the bounce and isn’t afraid of contact. She can also knock down shots and handles the ball well. Deener made things tough defensively as well. Senior Kennedy Jackson came up big for the Cardinals as well. On top of finishing well around the rim, Jackson also converted at the free throw line and did a good job on the boards.
I walked away impressed by freshman Greta Bradstreet. She ran the point and facilitated well, while making a lot of smart plays. Bradstreet showed no fear when pressured and recognized where the open player was. I truly mean it when I say it felt like every player who played for Taylor County made an impact though and a lot of them are still underclassmen so the future of the program is very, very bright.
Montgomery County was without senior Savannah Jarvis who certainly would have made a difference in this game, but the tough duo of sophomore Baylee Warner and junior Addison Terry propelled the Indians. Baylee Warner did a great job attacking the basket and drawing fouls. Warner uses her length well on the defensive end and I would bet she finished with a double-double as she also grabbed a lot of rebounds.
Addison Terry is a great addition for the Indians. Terry ran the point well and made the defense respect her ability to score inside or out. She knocked down some outside shots and was aggressive on drives. Terry also distributed the ball well, drawing help and recognizing where to kick it.
The other player who stepped up in a big way for Montgomery County on Saturday was eighth-grader Raegan Mays. Mays provided good energy and scored in a variety of ways. Her first make was a 3 and her other makes were inside the perimeter and at the free throw line, showing an ability to get it done at all 3 levels. She definitely showed a lot of potential.