Looking Ahead: 9 Teams That Can Win It All in 2020

The 2019 trophy hasn't been at Ryle long enough to collect any dust yet but it's not too early to look at the contenders for next year's state title. Here's a quick glance at next season's contenders. <ul> <li><strong>Ryle</strong> - To quote Ric Flair, "To be the man, you've got to beat the man." Or in this case, the ladies. <strong>Maddie Scherr and Brie Crittendon </strong>return next season for the Lady Raiders and while they will miss Lauren Schwartz, they have a deep talent pool and could fight through the 9th region and get back to Rupp next season.</li> <li><strong>Mercy</strong> - Mercy took GRC all the way to the wire at Rupp and will return <strong>T'Aziah Jenks and Hope Sivori</strong> next season. With that inside-out duo and a lot of returning experience and leadership, the Jaguars are going to be hard to beat next year.</li> <li><strong>Scott County</strong> - Coming off a 34-2 season that ended in the Elite 8, the Lady Cards will be formidable again next season. <strong>Morgan DeFoor and Malea Williams</strong> are going to be even better next season and <strong>Kenady Tompkins</strong> is ready for a bigger role next season. They'll be the team to beat in the 11th again next year.</li> <li><strong>Sacred Heart</strong> - Ashlee Harris graduates but the rest of the roster is back next season. <strong>Kristen Clemons and Destinee Marshall </strong>return and Kentucky commit <strong>Erin Toller</strong> will be back after missing her Junior season with an ACL tear. They could roll through the 7th region with all that offensive firepower.</li> <li><strong>Scott</strong> - <strong>Mya Meredeth</strong> is the real deal. Coming off a Sophomore season averaging 25 points per game, Mya could be the next big time recruit in Kentucky. Fellow Sophomore <strong>Sofia Allen</strong> will come back as a double figure per game scorer. Scott is the 10th region team to beat.</li> <li><strong>Elizabethtown</strong> - A tremendous 2018-19 season ended short of the Sweet Sixteen and should have <strong>Whitney Hay</strong> and the Lady Panthers hungry for a regional title and more next year. <strong>Sydney Clark </strong>is also back for her Senior year and E-Town should be motivated to fight their way to a 5th region crown and more.</li> <li><strong>Bethlehem</strong> - The reigning 5th region champions return both of their leading scorers in <strong>Amelia Hodges and Ella Thompson. </strong>The experience of being at Rupp this season cannot be underestimated and the Banshees are more than capable of getting back there next year and even the year after as Hodges and Thompson are both Sophomores.</li> <li><strong>Southwestern - </strong>The state runners-up will be hungry to get back to Rupp Arena. <strong>Regi Cundiff</strong> and most of the supporting cast will be back for the Lady Warriors. Don't sleep on the 12th region as they have had a team in each of the last 3 title games.</li> <li><strong>Casey County - </strong>Along those lines, Casey County dropped the 12th region title game to Southwestern but return their entire roster next season. Juniors <strong>Gena Cravens, Jordyn Stephens and Lauren Lee </strong>all averaged double figures this year for the Lady Rebels.</li> </ul>