AAU Results and Kentucky’s Best Post Players
In this article:
AAU WEEKEND RESULTS:
We only had one program send in AAU results this weekend so we’ll recap those below:
Richmond Heat 2022 went 2-1 at the Coaster Classic in Sandusky. Maddie Kauffman Maddie Kauffman 5'5" | PG Tates Creek | 2022 State KY averaged 21 points per game while shooting almost 50% from the field. 2023s Natalea Clark and Ashton Harris both contributed for the Heat. Clark had an impressive 15 rebounds in one game while Ashton scored 12 points in another game.
Richmond Heat 2023 went 1-2 at the Coaster Classic. Natalea Clark, Ashton Harris, Pressley Lochmueller, Gracyn Grantz Gracyn Grantz 5'9" | SF Lafayette | 2023 State KY and Lydia Kennedy all had strong showings despite being short handed for the weekend.
2025 Richmond Heat won the Platinum Championship this past weekend. Brittany Campbell, Cameryn Ridderkoff, Abby Gilbert and Jayci Long Jayci Long 5'6" | PG Estill County | 2025 State KY were all big parts of the championship weekend. Campbell, Ridderkoff and Gilbert all averaged double figures.
TOP POST PLAYERS:
With AAU winding down and summer ball starting this week for most teams, let’s do some positional breakdowns ahead of next month’s rankings updates. Starting with the best post players in the state. These are not presented in order. Also, any player considered to be a stretch 4 is not included here. The list is traditional post players only.
Kennedy Lee, Manual – Lee is trending towards more of a stretch post as her game develops and she gets more comfortable stepping outside the paint but for now, she’s among the very best post players in the state. She’s going to be in the mix for regional player of the year in the 7th region and has a shot at Miss Basketball.
Gracie Merkle Gracie Merkle 6'6" | C Bullitt East | 2022 State KY , Bullitt East – Gracie has come a long way over the last few seasons and likely hasn’t hit her ceiling as a prospect yet. She’s a double-double every game and a good rim protector whose offense continues to get better every season. She’s in the mix for best college prospect in 2022 thanks to her elite size.
Rachel Presley Rachel Presley 6'2" | C South Laurel | 2022 State KY , South Laurel – Rachel has seemed to be playing high school for a decade as her name is about as well known as there is in southern Kentucky right now. She’s grabbed a bunch of offers already and will likely be a solid mid major D1 signee when college decision time rolls around.
Anastasia Dowlen Anastasia Dowlen 6'1" | C Russellville | 2022 State KY , Russellville – One of the very best rebounders in the state, Dowlen’s offensive game still trails behind her defensive presence and rebounding ability but Anastasia is a very solid college prospect who makes her living on the offensive end with put backs around the rim.
Xaviara Smalley Xaviara Smalley 6'3" | C Bethlehem | 2023 State KY , Bethlehem – Smalley has an offer from Cincinnati and is likely to keep extending her list as time rolls on. She had to blend in at Bethlehem after a transfer from Elizabethtown but next year she should be a standout for the Banshee team that will look to reload.
Ramiya White Ramiya White 6'4" | C Butler | 2024 State KY , Mercy – If you’re looking for long term potential, White is way up there thanks to her elite size. She’s 6’5 and could possibly grow a little more in the next couple of years. Even if she doesn’t grow, Ramiya has the potential to be a high major post player at the next level.