All A Preview -Evening Session (part 2)
In between the two games covered in part 1, at 630 and 8 pm respectively, is a game featuring 6th and 7th Region representatives, the Holy Cross (Louisville) Cougars and Whitefield Academy Lady Wildcats, both from Louisville. Followed by a…
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Continue ReadingIn between the two games covered in part 1, at 630 and 8 pm respectively, is a game featuring 6th and 7th Region representatives, the Holy Cross (Louisville) Cougars and Whitefield Academy Lady Wildcats, both from Louisville. Followed by a clash of 2 teams from the mountains. The Knott County Central Lady Patriots of the 14th Region and the 16th Region’s West Carter Lady Comets.
Camryn Poole Camryn Poole 5'7" | PG Whitefield Academy | 2023 State KY – ’23 5’8″/PG – Whitefield Academy
Those that witnessed last year’s Whitefield Academy team in the All “A” might remember there were no Juniors or Seniors on the team and only one Sophomore. This season, all of those players (except one due to injury) have returned with the addition of two transfers who have made an impact.
Poole, is one of those transfers, and she is adding 14.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and making 43.3% of her field goals while adding a solid ballhandler to push the tempo, handle defensive pressure, and facilitate an offense that is exploding with potential. She is also grabbing a ton of defensive rebounds and starting the transition game as a weakside rebounder during possessions that the team playing a 2-3 Zone.
Amy Thompson Amy Thompson 6'1" | SF Whitefield Academy | 2023 State KY – ’23 6’0″/SF – Whitefield Academy
The biggest wild card from my perspective (other than the 7 teams I have not seen) is Thompson. She has been sitting out as a transfer and I have only been able to see her play against an entirely outmatched opponent and in preseason practice. She has only had the chance to play in 7 games since her return to basketball.
The only sure thing is that the team will be improved by the addition of a 4th player that is averaging double-figure scoring (12.8 points) and shooting the ball well (33.3% three-point, 46.2% field goals) and another talented player to add to their thin bench.
Noel Smith Noel Smith 5'7" | PF Whitefield Academy | 2025 State KY – ’25 5’8″/SF – Whitefield Academy
Smith is the Dennis Rodman of the All “A” tournament. Minus all of the tattoos, hair dye, and crazy clothing choices but with all of the Rebounds by a player that is not one of the tallest players on the court. She is currently the 26th leading rebounder in the KHSAA grabbing 222 rebounds for an average of 10.6 per game.
This is impressive until you discover that last season while in 8th Grade she finished 12th in the KHSAA with 352 rebounds for 12.1 per game. I suspect she is as good as ever, but playing with more talent this year than last with the addition of two transfers.
Callie Wiegandt Callie Wiegandt 5'5" | PG Holy Cross (Louisville) | 2022 State KY – ’22 5’6″/PG – Holy Cross (Louisville)
Wiegandt is a hard-nosed and heady athlete deciding between playing Basketball and Volleyball on the next level (maybe she will do both). She makes the plays that turn the game for her team when the opportune moments present themselves. Much if what she does would fly under the radar if you were not looking for it.
But her stat production is there for anyone to see. She is averaging 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and making 70.4% free throws as well as distributing the ball in the offense and playing tight defense.
Abby Maggard Abby Maggard 5'6" | SG Knott County Central | 2023 State KY – ’23 5’8″/SG – Knott County Central
I haven’t seen Maggard play. Not yet, but she is averaging 14.1 points, making 49.7% of all field goals, and 37.9% from the three-point range. She also makes 79% of her free throws and will be important in deciding the outcome in the All “A” for the Lady Patriots.
Kylie Gayheart Kylie Gayheart 5'5" | PG Knott County Central | 2024 State KY – 5’3″ 5’3″/PG – Knott County Central
Gayheart is averaging 10.7 points per game on 37.5% three-point shooting and makes 70.9% of her free throws. She runs the offense that puts 10 different players on the court, which to me means the Lady Patriots run a full-court press for most of the game.
Allie Stone Allie Stone 5'5" | CG West Carter | 2022 State KY – ’22 5’6″/CG – West Carter
The leading scorer in the tournament, Stone, is averaging 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and shooting a very high percentage from anywhere she releases the ball. She makes 84.9% of her free throws, 52.1% of her three-pointers, and 51.9% of all field goals. The Lady Comets will be leaning on Stone’s ability to score in a variety of ways to help them advance in the tournament.