Kentucky’s Top Senior Free Throw Shooters

Kentucky&#8217;s Top Senior Free Throw Shooters

Donovan Finan

November 13, 2019 @ 08:00 AM

Free throws are an often overlooked part of basketball but are nonetheless vital. They represent a free opportunity at points and obviously scoring points is the most important part of the game. The ability to convert these points can often prove the difference it close games, and therefore represents a vital skill. Lexi Taylor, Bullitt East- Taylor is tops on this list, shooting 86.5% on 200 free throw attempts last season. Not only is this percentage the best in the state among returning players, it combines with strong volume to show that her ability from the foul line are a proven part of her strong all-around game. Hailey Smith, Wolfe County- It is difficult to decide what is more impressive: Smith's free throw shooting ability or her ability to draw fouls. She shot 85.6% on a frankly ridiculous 341 shots from the line last season. That mark led the state last year, and combined with her incredible efficiency, it makes her free throw abilities incredibly deadly. Mallory Holbrook, Campbell County- A relatively low volume scorer, Holbrook scored the majority of her points from the foul line last year. She made 83.2% of her 125 attempts, converting with great efficiency on a strong number of attempts. This indicates the ability to be a strong shooter, a skill she may be able to use more in her overall game moving forward. Julia Parker, Ashland Blazer- As perhaps the most talented scorer on a strong Ashland Blazer team, Parker's free throw prowess was no surprise. She shot 81.6 from the charity stripe, albeit on relatively low 98 total attempts. If she can maintain that percentage while increasing her volume, Parker can become an even deadlier scorer. Ally Collett, South Laurel- Collett is an impressive all-around scorer, already South Laurel's all-time leading scorer going into her senior season. A fantastic shooter, the 81.2% she shot on 208 free throw attempts are a big part of her offensive game. She should use this free throws to help add to her scoring record at South Laurel this season. Emma Strunk, Walton-Verona- Strunk is a strong inside player. That gives her the ability to potentially draw fouls with her play in the post going forward. This makes the 79.9% she shot from the line on 134 attempts all the more important.