7th Region Semifinals: Alyx's Takeaways

<p>The 7th Region is certainly one of the most talented regions in Kentucky. Four different teams in the region consistently found themselves ranked in the top 25, while others consistently competed at a high [player_tooltip player_id='886739' first='Level' last='']. Last night, Central and Sacred Heart punched their ticket to the championship game as they defeated Assumption and Manual. Here are 4 takeaways from those 2 games.</p>   <h2>1) Who's Going to Beat the Back-to-Back State Champions?</h2>   <p>Sacred Heart is not only the best team in Kentucky, but they also are a top 15 team in the nation. Last night, they faced the 2nd best team in the state and beat them for the 3rd time this season. They are currently undefeated in the state. In fact, their last loss in Kentucky came on February 13th of last year. They have 4 of the best players in the state, on top of solid role players who are very disruptive defenders. Their lone senior, [player_tooltip player_id='164387' first='Triniti' last='Ralston'], runs the point for the Valkyries. She can handle all pressures that come along with that and likely just faced the most high pressure defensive team they'll see in the postseason in Manual. Ralston finished the game with 9 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. </p>   <p>Sacred Heart's star, [player_tooltip player_id='254273' first='ZaKiyah' last='Johnson'], was as phenomenal as ever. She had 24 points and 17 rebounds in the victory. Manual was playing good defense on her and she was still finding ways to score. She's the #2 ranked player in ESPNw's 2025 class for a reason... she's a special talent. </p>   <p>Alongside her at the guard position, [player_tooltip player_id='245899' first='Reagan' last='Bender'] is one of the best scorers in the state. She had 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in SHA's victory. Think of the University of Louisville's HVL... that's the kind of scoring threat Bender can be. </p>   <p>Inside, [player_tooltip player_id='257276' first='Angelina' last='Pelayo'] is an invaluable piece of the puzzle for the Valkyries. She had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. She has P5 talent and was making great decisions all game long.</p>   <p>Outside of the big 4, Claire Russell always plays a solid role for the Valkyries, but last night, she brought so much to the floor. She finished the game with 10 points and 8 rebounds, while making a big impact defensively as well. Emi-Lee Howe also provided some valuable minutes for SHA.</p>   <h2>2) Central's [player_tooltip player_id='398020' first='Destiny' last='Jones'] was on Another [player_tooltip player_id='886739' first='Level' last='']</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='398020' first='Destiny' last='Jones'] could not be stopped. She had some incredible catches and really was just unstoppable around the basket. Even if she missed the 1st or 2nd shot she put up, she would grab the offensive rebound and put it back up. She was 16/22 and scored 34 points while also grabbing 8 boards in 22 minutes of play. Central's [player_tooltip player_id='106147' first='Amaya' last='Asher'] was also very hard to stop, though she is their point guard. She was single-handedly beating Assumption's press while throwing some absolute dimes. In the 2nd half, when she started driving to the basket more, she was finishing some really tough shots with contact. She finished the game with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and a block. </p>   <p>While Sacred Heart is the heavy favorite to win the region, don't count out the Yellow Jackets. They have the grit and athleticism to give the Valkyries a game. They also have some other very talented players on top of the ones listed above. JaLa Douglas is one of those players and she was stuffing the stat sheet per usual last night. She had 6 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal. She could be a key for Central in the championship game. </p>   <p>They also have players like Shanese Carr, Miracle Thomas, Diamond Roach, and JaKyrra Bartlett that contribute valuable minutes. All are capable of putting points on the scoreboard and will be huge aspects on the defensive end as well. </p>   <h2>3) Watch for Assumption Next Season</h2>   <p>Assumption played team basketball from start to finish. I loved how well they played together and shared the ball. They made good fakes, consistently made the extra pass, and were really solid as a whole. Plus, they only graduate one player from the current roster (all starters will be back). Last night, [player_tooltip player_id='398025' first='Taryn' last='Morris'] led the way with 14 points after going scoreless in the 1st half due to foul trouble. She was drawing fouls around the basket and converting at the free throw line. </p>   <p>Lauren Campisano also scored in double figures, finishing with 12 points. She made some great drives and had finished some tough pull-up jumpers. Their leading scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='398024' first='Delaney' last='Cooper'], was limited to 6 shot attempts, but scored 8 points in the loss. Cooper is long and can score at all 3 [player_tooltip player_id='886739' first='Level' last='']s. Even when she's not scoring, she's an integral part of Assumption's team. [player_tooltip player_id='398027' first='Zoe' last='Thompson'] and Geriann Ackermann are also key pieces for the Rockets. Ackermann finished with 5 points and 0 turnovers, an impressive stat given how much pressure Central was applying. Thompson finished with 7 points and had 4 assists, constantly drawing help and kicking to teammates. </p>   <p>Assumption also has some solid freshman that'll be good for years to come in [player_tooltip player_id='723426' first='Maggie' last='Young'] and Taylor Burnett.</p>   <h2>4) Manual's Fantastic Season Comes to an End</h2>   <p>Manual was the best defensive team I saw this season. They could apply such heavy pressure from start to finish of each game. If you put them in any other region in the state, they would likely be the favorite to win. They were a really special team who's only 3 losses on the season came to the 12th ranked team in the nation. It's tough to put into words how special Manual's seniors are. Miss Basketball candidate, [player_tooltip player_id='164391' first='Jakayla' last='Thompson'], is an incredible player. What she accomplished this season is deserving of every award imaginable. She switched to a completely different position and continued to dominate. She had 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals to lead Manual. Thompson will be a great addition to Becky Burke's Buffalo squad next year.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='164400' first='Sydne' last='Tolbert'] is one of the best floor generals around. She can do it all and she's always so solid. She can score in ways that will make your jaw drop. She had 10 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and only 1 turnover. Lexi Weaver opened a lot of eyes this season. She showed how well she can score the ball, on top of the defensive impact she makes game-in and game-out. She had 9 points, 4 rebounds, and a steal. [player_tooltip player_id='199617' first='Madison' last='Brittle'] was a defensive stopper all season long, coming off a knee injury that kept her off of the floor last season. She also made great passes and could score inside or out. She had 2 points and 3 rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id='329462' first='Jazmine' last='Chatman'] also always contributed valuable minutes whenever her number was called. </p>   <p>Manual may have to make some adjustments, but they still have a lot of talented players returning. Most notably, they will return freshman [player_tooltip player_id='376789' first='Ashlinn' last='James'] who is a really special player. She plays with zero fear and can do a little bit of everything. She handles the ball well, she makes great passes, she can score, and she's a great defender. She stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal. Some other key returners include Londyn James, London Sweeney, Morgan White, and [player_tooltip player_id='1131725' first='Electra' last='Lovely-Tolbert'], among others.</p>   <p></p>

The 7th Region is certainly one of the most talented regions in Kentucky. Four different teams in the region consistently found themselves ranked in the top 25, while others consistently competed at a high Kenadi Level Kenadi Level 5'3" | PG McLean County | 2026 State KY . Last night, Central and Sacred Heart punched their ticket to the championship game as they defeated Assumption and Manual. Here are 4 takeaways from those 2 games.