2023 Queen of the Commonwealth: Preview (CCC Gym)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Queen of the Commonwealth hosted by Bullitt East is once again one of the top in-state tournaments around. This year's field is absolutely loaded with talent. No matter what rankings you look at, you will find nearly half of the teams in the top 25. Most of the others could be found right outside of those top 25. Here is a look at the first day matchups happening in the CCC gym. <em>Please note that leading 3-point shooters are only listed if the player has played in all or most games and averages at least (1) 3-pointer made per game.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">McCracken County vs Taylor County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>4:00 PM, CCC Gym</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">McCracken County Lady Mustangs</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Team Record:</strong> 5-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Scorer(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='369667' first='Claire' last='Johnson'] (23 PPG), Mikee Buchanan (15.7 PPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Rebounder(s):</strong> Mikee Buchanan (6 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='897365' first='Reagan' last='Hill'] (4.2 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): </strong>Jayden Skaggs (42.9% - 1 per game), [player_tooltip player_id='369667' first='Claire' last='Johnson'] (34.6% - 1.5 per game), Mikee Buchanan (32% - 1.3 per game)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Taylor County Lady Cardinals</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Team Record:</strong> 5-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Scorer(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1050025' first='Kennedy' last='Deener'] (9.8 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='502129' first='Kayley' last='Benningfield'] (9.5 PPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Rebounder(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='902295' first='Kennedy' last='Jackson'] (7.5 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): </strong>Gracie Hunt (38.5% - 1.2 per game), [player_tooltip player_id='902864' first='Alexis' last='Knifley'] (30.8% - 1 per game), [player_tooltip player_id='502129' first='Kayley' last='Benningfield'] (30.8% - 1 per game)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>*Missing 2 stat reports on KHSAA at time this was written so above stats do not account for those games</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Preview:</strong> These are 2 teams that had a lot of questions going into this season. McCracken County made it to the state championship last year, but they graduated some of the top players from that team. Taylor County made it to the regional championship last year and while they lost that game in overtime, they were extremely young and did not have a single senior on the roster. However, their leading scorer tore her ACL in the off-season and they did not know when she would return. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fast forward to now, a few weeks into this season, and both of these teams have exceeded all expectations thrown their way. McCracken County's [player_tooltip player_id='369667' first='Claire' last='Johnson'] and Mikee Buchanan have really led the way for the Mustangs and they come into this game with a 4 game winning streak. Johnson and Buchanan are both averaging double figures.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor County also goes into this game with a 4 game winning streak, but they have been led by much younger players. 7th grader [player_tooltip player_id='1050025' first='Kennedy' last='Deener'] is their leading scorer, but they have four players averaging 8+ PPG. The Lady Cardinals also got news yesterday that [player_tooltip player_id='254284' first='Grace' last='Bale'] is cleared to return to play, making them even more dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bullitt East vs Madisonville-North Hopkins</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>5:30 PM, CCC Gym</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bullitt East Lady Chargers</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Team Record:</strong> 3-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Scorer(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1172560' first='Mollie' last='Johnston'] (14.6 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='398021' first='Anna' last='Rodgers'] (13 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='376761' first='Anna' last='Tinelli'] (10.6 PPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Rebounder(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1172560' first='Mollie' last='Johnston'] (6.4 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='398021' first='Anna' last='Rodgers'] (4.6 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='458936' first='Lyla' last='Packer'] (4 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='376761' first='Anna' last='Tinelli'] (46.2% - 1.2 per game), [player_tooltip player_id='1172560' first='Mollie' last='Johnston'] (40% - 1.2 per game), [player_tooltip player_id='398021' first='Anna' last='Rodgers'] (21.9% - 1.4 per game)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Madisonville-North Hopkins Lady Maroons</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Team Record:</strong> 5-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Scorer(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='555974' first='Riley' last='Sword'] (14.7 PPG), Destiny Whitsell (10.5 PPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Rebounder(s):</strong> SaNya Carney (9.7 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='555974' first='Riley' last='Sword'] (5.5 RPG), Destiny Whitsell (5.2 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='555974' first='Riley' last='Sword'] (36.1% - 2.2 per game), Kailey Barber (27.5% - 2.3 per game)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Preview:</strong> Bullitt East is still adjusting to a new lineup of players, between key players graduating and returning from injuries, but they have faced their share of challenges early on in the season. While they have 2 losses, those losses both came to talented teams in the 6th Region. Coach Stallings always has his groups ready to go though, so you can never count them out of any game. They have a good variety of talented players who are ready to compete, and this should be a pretty good matchup for their players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madisonville-North Hopkins is seen by many as the 2nd Region favorite this year and their lone loss of the season came to a talented Breckinridge County team. The Maroons have a very well-balanced offensive attack and like to get after it defensively as well. It's never easy to travel and play the host team in your first game, but Madisonville will be ready to show what they can do against some of the top teams in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cooper vs Owensboro Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>7:00 PM, CCC Gym</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Cooper Lady Jaguars</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Team Record:</strong> 5-3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Scorer(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='167174' first='Logan' last='Palmer'] (17.2 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='167107' first='Liz' last='Freihofer'] (10.9 PPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Rebounder(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='747645' first='Haylee' last='Noel'] (5.6 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='167107' first='Liz' last='Freihofer'] (4.2 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='167174' first='Logan' last='Palmer'] (40.7% - 1.4 per game), [player_tooltip player_id='167107' first='Liz' last='Freihofer'] (40% - 1.2 per game)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Owensboro Catholic Lady Aces</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Team Record:</strong> 5-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Scorer(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='167110' first='Hailee' last='Johnson'] (16.8 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='254278' first='Karmin' last='Riley'] (12.5 PPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Rebounder(s):</strong> Jenna Krampe (7 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='398024' first='Delaney' last='Cooper'] (5.5 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='688040' first='Aubrey' last='Randolph'] (5.2 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='167110' first='Hailee' last='Johnson'] (34.8% - 1.3 per game), [player_tooltip player_id='254278' first='Karmin' last='Riley'] (34.1% - 2.5 per game), [player_tooltip player_id='398024' first='Delaney' last='Cooper'] (24.2% - 1.3 per game)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Preview:</strong> Cooper is the best 3 loss team in the state. In fact, 2 of their 3 losses come to nationally ranked teams and they played both of those teams very well. Their other loss came to another talented team less than 24 hours after a road loss to SHA. Personally, I think they have the most talent of any team in this tournament and that's saying a lot because of how highly I view all of these teams. I've been so impressed by their defensive intensity in every game I've seen. They have a ton of players with D1 offers or interest and have been battle-tested early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owensboro Catholic's only loss comes to nationally-ranked SHA and they have also been challenged with some tough opponents early on. They are a very talented group with 5 starters who can, and likely will, play at the next level. They have good length and athleticism as well, and it will be interesting to see if they press, how they can disrupt the talented guards Cooper has. This might just be the game I'm most curious to see on day 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bowling Green vs Simon Kenton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>8:30 PM, CCC Gym</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bowling Green Lady Purples</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Team Record:</strong> 5-0</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Scorer(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='560652' first='Katy' last='Smiley'] (15.6 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='885364' first='NaTaya' last='Wardlow'] (12.6 PPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Rebounder(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='560652' first='Katy' last='Smiley'] (6.6 RPG), JaSiyah Franklin (5.8 RPG), Chloe Potter (4.6 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='560652' first='Katy' last='Smiley'] (44.8% - 2.6 per game), [player_tooltip player_id='885364' first='NaTaya' last='Wardlow'] (43.8% - 1.4 per game)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Team Record:</strong> 7-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Scorer(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='739708' first='Brynli' last='Pernell'] (17.4 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='724178' first='Haylie' last='Webb'] (13.5 PPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading Rebounder(s):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='724178' first='Haylie' last='Webb'] (8.4 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='859859' first='Anna' last='Kelch'] (6 RPG)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739708' first='Brynli' last='Pernell'] (44.2% - 2.9 per game), Meg Gadzala (30% - 1.1 per game)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Preview: </strong>Bowling Green is another team that had a lot of questions going into this season. They graduated multiple players that are now playing at the next level. However, Coach Head once again has a very talented team and they have been dominating early on this season. They have a good mix of size and speed. They aren't afraid of any challenge thrown their way and I believe they are going to show they are one of the top teams in the state in this tournament. This game is going to be a great start to proving that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton's only loss comes to a very talented Ryle team and they have shown that they are ready to pick right back up where they finished last season. They continue to prove that they have the talent to compete with some of the top teams in the state. They are pretty young, but they have an excellent 1-2 punch in freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='739708' first='Brynli' last='Pernell'] and sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='724178' first='Haylie' last='Webb']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->