Top 2028 Prospects in Kentucky (Part 5)

<p>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 expected to make a big impact at the Varsity level this season. Here's a look into some of those players <em>(ordered alphabetically by last name)</em>. If you missed part 1, be sure to <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/10/top-2028-prospects-in-kentucky-part-1/">check it out here</a>. Part 2 can be <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/10/top-2028-prospects-in-kentucky-part-2/">found by clicking here</a>; Part 3 can be <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/10/top-2028-prospects-in-kentucky-part-3/">found by clicking here</a>; Part 4 can be <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/10/top-2028-prospects-in-kentucky-part-4/">found by clicking here</a>.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='961289' first='Ella' last='Buckman'] <em>(Bardstown)</em></h2>   <p>Buckman is a player that I have not yet gotten to watch play, so I can't provide much information about her as a player outside of what I've heard, but I can say that she is a player who could potentially really help Bardstown's Varsity team this season. The Lady Tigers had 7 players that played in every game last season and 3 of those players are at other schools this year. They also have a new coach and while they have a very solid group of returners, they are still going to need other players to take a big step up this season. I've heard she's an excellent defender and a 3 level scorer with great court vision. Brings a lot of energy to the court. Buckman will be the only middle schooler on the roster that played in Varsity games last season and definitely one to keep an eye on going into this season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/kbchoops/status/1713549033321455662 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='963043' first='Carissa' last='Lyons'] <em>(Ballard)</em></h2>   <p>Lyons is a true floor general. As a point guard, she can both score and distribute the ball well. She controls the flow of the game and keeps making big improvements as she helps lead her middle school team at Kammerer. Lyons is a gritty and scrappy player. She can knock down jumpers quickly, but she does a great job of not forcing. What I really love is how vocal she is on the court. With a new coach and 2 of the top 3 leading scorers from last year now gone, watch for Lyons to be a player that steps up for the Bruins.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='963011' first='Lucy' last='McVey'] <em>(Gallatin County)</em></h2>   <p>McVey is a tough player with a lot of potential. She handles the ball well, makes good passes, and can knock down outside shots with good range. Has excellent form on her shot and got great experience with her Varsity team this summer. McVey has grown a lot in the last year and has excellent strength. Can also do some damage on the defensive end of the court. Gallatin County graduated their 2nd and 3rd leading scorers from last season, so I expect McVey to be a player that has a much larger role for them this season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/Lucymc2010/status/1672652914949513219 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='963023' first='Noelle' last='Price'] <em>(Scott)</em></h2>   <p>I don't know that any team in the entire state will look more different than Scott does this season after graduating 10 players from last year's roster, including their top 3 leading scorers and rebounders. To take things a step further, that also includes 7 of their top 8 leading scorers. The good news is that Scott still has a lot of talented players in their program. [player_tooltip player_id='963023' first='Noelle' last='Price'] was the lone 7th grader on their roster last season and she got to play in 14 games for the Lady Eagles. Price has good speed and good handles. She can knock down outside shots and makes strong drives to the basket. She is an excellent defender as well.</p>   <p><strong>Link to highlights: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18768751/noelle-price/highlights">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18768751/noelle-price/highlights</a></p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tahri Ralston <em>(Fern Creek)</em></h2>   <p>Ralston is a very versatile player. When I got to watch her play this summer, she did a ton of damage inside the perimeter but she also looked strong outside of the perimeter. She is very strong on the boards and she plays absolutely fearless. Last season as a 7th grader, she was Fern Creek's 2nd leading scorer, averaging 7.9 PPG. Ralston has some great moves in the post and forces the defense to extend out with her ability to knock down the 3-ball. She can be a very disruptive defender as well. </p>   <p><strong>Link to highlights:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18861001/Tahri-Ralston/highlights">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18861001/Tahri-Ralston/highlights</a></p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='963041' first='Delaney' last='Smith'] <em>(Owsley County)</em></h2>   <p>I haven't gotten to watch Smith play, but I know Owsley County is confident in her abilities at the PG position. There are a couple of very talented floor generals that she gets to compete against in practice, so her skillset is consistently continuing to grow. Smith got some Varsity experience last year, playing in 12 games for the Lady Owls. She is an excellent rebounder, especially as a guard and she can score inside or out. </p>   <p><strong>Link to highlights: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13426182/Delaney-Smith/highlights">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13426182/Delaney-Smith/highlights</a></p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='880403' first='Maleigha' last='Travis'] <em>(Campbellsville)</em></h2>   <p>Travis has excellent experience going into this season after playing in every single Varsity game as a 7th grader. Not only did she play in every game, but she was a player they relied on on both ends of the court. She plays inside in the post area and showed that she can have a huge presence on the boards. The kind of player that should have a lot of double-doubles throughout her high school career. She can step in front defensively to come up with steals and she also is a good shot blocker. Campbellsville graduated their leading scorer and rebounder from last season, but she was the lone senior on their roster. With more consistency, watch for Travis to really increase her averages this season.</p>   <p><strong>Link to highlights:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18547074/Maleigha-Travis/highlights">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18547074/Maleigha-Travis/highlights</a></p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">ADDITIONAL 2028 PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR THIS SEASON</span></h2>   <p>The following players were all sent to me when I asked for 2028 players that should get Varsity minutes this year. I was not able to find the players below on their school's Varsity roster last year, but that could mean that they are at a new school this year or it could just mean that their school already had a complete roster last year before moving middle school players up (or it could just mean I overlooked their name and in that case, I truly apologize). Along with their names, I will also include highlights for the players I was able to find on Twitter or Hudl. Watch out for the young standouts below!</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1057213' first='Eiona' last='Atkins'] <em>(Dunbar)</em></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/riseupsports1/status/1700622337454805091 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kendall Augsback <em>(Campbell County)</em></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KAugsback/status/1706834574104559915 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Alexandria Brittle <em>(Grace James Academy)</em></h2>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stella Brockman <em>(Campbell County)</em></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.tiktok.com/@bethaniebrockman/video/7255027811646229802 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1057211' first='Malia' last='Bullock'] <em>(Pulaski County)</em></h2>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='965801' first='Lily' last='Ervin'] <em>(GRC)</em></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/lilyervin42/status/1681857274602565633 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='831862' first='Nakiah' last='Mejia'] <em>(Scott)</em></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/nakiahmejia5/status/1685718079047643136 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">A'Maria Pegues <em>(Grace James Academy)</em></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/JGulley69634/status/1711776120058630496 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1057209' first='Joselyn' last='Rosario'] <em>(Oldham County)</em></h2>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='788738' first='Rilee' last='Ross'] <em>(Pulaski County)</em></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/rilee_ross25/status/1713746754393223332 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1057207' first='Savannah' last='Shea'] <em>(Male)</em></h2>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1057204' first='Lilee' last='Todd'] <em>(Pulaski County)</em></h2>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <p><em>If any of the information above is incorrect, please send an email with any corrections to alyxwhitegraphics@gmail.com.</em></p>

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 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 by clicking here; Part 3 can be found by clicking here; Part 4 can be found by clicking here.