Top 2028 Prospects in Kentucky (Part 3)
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The future of Kentucky girls basketball is in good hands. There are so many talented young players across the Bluegrass state. Class of 2028 means these players are still in middle school, but these 8th graders are players that are…
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Continue ReadingThe future of Kentucky girls basketball is in good hands. There are so many talented young players across the Bluegrass state. Class of 2028 means these players are still in middle school, but these 8th graders are players that are expected to make a big impact at the Varsity level this season. Here’s a look into some of those players (ordered alphabetically by last name). If you missed part 1, be sure to check it out here. Part 2 can be found here.
Payton Bowman (Grayson County)
Grayson County only had 2 seniors last season, so they return the majority of their roster. However, those 2 seniors were both in the regular rotation for the Lady Cougars, so they will need some players to step up in their absence. Despite being a 7th grader last season, Bowman got some quality minutes and will have experience going into this season. She averaged 1.7 PPG and showed her ability to knock down shots and get to the rim. She has very active hands defensively and can really disrupt an offense with her ability to come up with steals and deflections.
Link to highlights: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18494598/Payton-Bowman/highlights
Greta Bradstreet (Taylor County)
Bradstreet will be looking to step up this season for the Lady Cardinals. She can score in a variety of ways and she’s able to get her shots off very quickly. She makes good fakes and has good range on her outside shot. She did get some Varsity minutes last year as a 7th grader and averaged 1.2 PPG. She had a strong summer and is ready to build on the impact she made last season.
Addison Campbell (Harlan)
Harlan returns almost everyone from a season ago and they will be looking to turn heads in the 13th Region this year. Campbell is just an 8th grader, but she has the potential to be a player that impacts the game on both sides of the ball for the Lady Dragons. She catches ready to fire and can get her shot off quickly. Moves to gaps well on the perimeter. Campbell isn’t afraid of physicality and can get in on rebounds. She also reads the passing lanes to come up with steals.
Link to highlights: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18890713/Addison-Campbell/highlights
Caroline Heist (Pulaski County)
Heist’s outside shooting ability will definitely stand out when you watch her play. Granted she didn’t attempt many triples as a 7th grader last season, she still shot 40% from deep and continued that hot outside shooting this summer. She also excels at getting into the paint on her drives and can finish tough floaters over defenders. She played in 22 Varsity games last season and is expected to take a step up this year for a team who will be looking to make a run to the state tournament.
Ava Hughes (McCracken County)
Hughes is a player I have not gotten to watch play and I could not find highlights of her, but I wanted to include her in this series because McCracken County knows what she brings to the court and that skill is going to earn her Varsity playing time this season. Having Claire Johnson Claire Johnson 5'10" | CG McCracken County | 2024 State KY as a veteran PG that she can learn from and compete against in practice is only going to help Hughes excel more and more on the court.
Maci Maynard Maci Maynard 6'4" | C Martin County | 2028 KY (Martin County)
Maynard joins a very Senior-heavy Martin County team, but she will be a huge addition inside with her strong 6’3 frame. As a 7th grader, she was Belfry’s 2nd leading rebounder after averaging 6.3 RPG. On top of being a force down low, Maynard makes great passes out of the post as well. She can finish well on both sides of the rim and she is very strong on the boards. She has great hands and a ton of potential. I’m very interested to see how Maynard can help Martin County because I think she brings a strong skillset, along with excellent size and strength.
Bella Ober (Simon Kenton)
Despite being the only 7th grader on the roster, Ober played in the majority of Simon Kenton’s Varsity games last season. Now as an 8th grader, they are ready for her to play an even larger role. She can create very well on her own and for her teammates. Great passer with strong court vision. Ober can also score at all 3 levels and is a good defender. The Lady Pioneers are such an intriguing team going into this season because they have a lot of young talent, like Ober, to pair with their upperclassmen. I highly recommend you take a look at her highlights below.
Link to highlights: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18851220/64e4bc354df59e0be829d7ca
Courtney Simmon Courtney Simmon 5'8" | SF LKY | 2028 KY (LKY Saints)
Simmon plays for LKY Saints which is a team for homeschool athletes in the Louisville area. She is a versatile player who is able to play the guard or forward positions effectively. Last season as a 7th grader, she was her Varsity team’s leading scorer and 2nd leading rebounder. She also led the team in overall field goal percentage and 3-point FG percentage. If you get the chance to watch LKY Saints play, keep your eye out for Courtney Simmon Courtney Simmon 5'8" | SF LKY | 2028 KY .
Hannah Smith (Grayson County)
While I haven’t gotten the chance to watch her play, I have been told that Smith has excellent size and a lot of raw talent. She played in 17 Varsity games last season, averaging 1.4 PPG and 1.1 RPG. She is an excellent shot blocker. Smith has the potential to really help Grayson County inside this upcoming season.
Link to highlights: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18494614/63a4e11b32e74a0be8e55f0e
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