Preseason Preview: Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar is looking to make huge strides this season in efforts to bring this girls basketball program back to relevancy. They have a key transfer, several returning players and a revamped coaching staff that includes Head Coach Erik Daniels and Assistant Coach Glynn Edwards. They have also added Brandon Hughes to the Varsity staff. Hughes is well-known as the Head Coach and Director of the Lexington Crossover UA Rise AAU team that has seen a lot of success on the grassroots circuit.

This will be a major transition year for the Lady Bulldogs I expect this team to make some noise in the 43rd district.

Projected Starting Lineup:

Layla Flynn Layla Flynn 5'7" | PG Dunbar | 2027 State KY -5’7-FR-Guard-(Transfer)-Will be the primary ball handler and a key player for Dunbar this season. Her excellent ball handling skills and ability to penetrate the lane will create scoring opportunities for herself and others. She will also make a big impact on the other end with her tenacious open-court defense.

Bella Rusing-5’10-SR-Wing-Has good size and length for a wing. She is very active on defense, and does a good job coming up with steals and blocking shots inside and on the perimeter. Will provide much needed senior leadership.

Makenzie Day-5’11-SR-Center-Day is a force in the paint. She does a great job using her size and strength to gain position to score on the low block. She also shows solid footwork and touch around the rim. Her leadership will be important this season.

Ellie Lavey Ellie Lavey 5'11" | PF Paul Laurence Dunbar | 2027 State KY -5’11-FR-Forward-Lavey is young prospect with a lot of upside. Her skill, length and versatility will be helpful on both ends of the floor. Last season she led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring with 6.1PPG and rebounds with 5.8. I see her putting up even better numbers this season.

Justice Biggerstaff-5’9′-SR-Guard-Put up 3.8PPG along with 3.8RPG last season. Her athleticism and speed really works in her favor. She is good at using active hands in passing lanes to cause deflections and turnovers. She will make her presence known on the defensive end.

Key Reserves:

Ava Rankin Ava Rankin PF Dunbar | 2026 State KY -6’0-SO-Center/Forward-Averaged 3.8PPG and 4.4RPG. Rankin put in a ton of work over the summer to improve her game. Her size and mobility allows her to be effective on offense and defense. She is good at rebounding the ball and going right back up for put-back buckets. Should have a breakout sophomore season.

Eriyaune “Dink” Daniels-5’6-FR-Guard-Will be in a more comfortable role this season. Dink will be leaned on a lot more as the secondary ball handler and perimeter scoring threat. She looks to be much improved from last season.

Joliet Alexander-SO-Guard-Played in 26 games and averaged 2.1PPG last season.

Tatum Golden-JR-Guard-Played in 25 games averaged 1.2PPG last season.

Margaret Hoover-SR-Wing-Played in 24 games averaged 2.2PPG and 3.3RPG last season.