Teams to Beat in Each Region: Regions 1-8

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Kentucky has 16 regions. One team from each region will get the chance to play for a state championship. We are now midway through the season, so I thought it would be a good time to look at who currently sits as the favorite in each region. Below you will see the current favorites from the 1st through 8th Regions in Kentucky. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1st Region: McCracken County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCracken County had questions going into this season as they graduated some key players from last year's team. Seven weeks into this season, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='369667' first='Claire' last='Johnson'] and Mikee Buchanan have erased all of those questions and proven that they are not only one of the most talented teams in the 1st Region, but across the state. They currently stand at 14-3 and they have faced some tough competition in the front half of the season. 8th grader [player_tooltip player_id='978239' first='Ava' last='Hughes'] has really broken through this season, providing valuable minutes and averaging 6.6 PPG on 51.5% shooting from the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2nd Region: Madisonville-North Hopkins</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madisonville is the lone undefeated team within the 2nd Region, sitting at 6-0 in regional play. This region should get pretty competitive come tournament time, but the Lady Maroons will certainly be a team you have to fight to beat. They have some very well-rounded scoring with 5 players averaging 4-11 PPG. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='555974' first='Riley' last='Sword'] has been leading the way, averaging 10.4 PPG and 3.6 RPG. Senior Destiny Whitsell is right there with her, averaging 10.2 PPG and 5.1 RPG. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3rd Region: Owensboro</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3rd Region tournament could get very interesting as they have multiple teams that could come out on top. Owensboro Catholic and Meade County were the teams I heard the most as the favorites going into this season. Now, Owensboro High School is the only team still undefeated in the region after beating Owensboro Catholic last week. Henderson County transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1003755' first='Shalyn' last='Sprinkles'] has made a huge impact and is leading the Lady Devils in scoring at 14.1 PPG, while senior ALyrica Hughes is also averaging double figures (11.1 PPG). Their scoring and rebounding is balanced and they have proven to be a tough team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4th Region: Franklin-Simpson</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Franklin-Simpson is currently 7-0 in their region and 16-1 overall. They added a star this offseason in [player_tooltip player_id='885318' first='LaReesha' last='Cawthorn'] and she has been nothing short of incredible this season. She's averaging 17.5 PPG and 9.9 RPG, and it's not odd to see her finish every game with a double- or triple-double. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='897374' first='Kloie' last='Smith'] has also been impressive this season, averaging 11.4 PPG and 6 RPG on 51% shooting from the field. Tough defense really translates to the offensive end of the court with this team. They've had a really special season so far and will be looking to build on that going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5th Region: Bethlehem</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Technically, Bardstown is the only team that is undefeated in regional play. However, they only defeated Bethlehem by 3 points and [player_tooltip player_id='254279' first='Leah' last='Macy'] was out with an injury at the time. I'm not counting anyone out come tournament time especially not with the toughness teams in the 5th Region have shown this season, but it is also safe to say Macy is a huge difference maker. She's averaging 23.7 PPG and 13.1 RPG on 70.1% shooting from the field, 52.9% from 3, and 87.5% from the charity stripe. That being said, Bethlehem has a very strong core including 3 other players who are averaging double figures: seniors [player_tooltip player_id='544178' first='Ashlyn' last='Miles'] (14.3 PPG/8.5 RPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='228143' first='Carlie' last='Thurmond'] (13.5 PPG), and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1059182' first='Tessa' last='Miles'] (13.5 PPG).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6th Region: Butler</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler is the only team in the 6th Region that has not yet lost a regional game. They have been led by D1 seniors, [player_tooltip player_id='231487' first='Mariah' last='Knight'] (15.6 PPG/8.1 RPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='167139' first='Ramiya' last='White'] (12.4 PPG/8.6 RPG). Knight can score inside or out and has really been a huge addition for the Bearettes. She has really helped take away some of the pressure that was always put on White in the paint and on the boards, which has allowed the Kentucky commit to really play the game in the way that she excels. Outside of Knight and White, Butler has a very balanced offense and anyone is capable of having a big game on any given night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7th Region: Sacred Heart</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sacred Heart has won the last 3 state championships and they have not lost a game within the state in a very long time. They are not only the team to beat in the region, but as always, they are the team to beat statewide. So far, only top out-of-state teams have defeated them. [player_tooltip player_id='254273' first='ZaKiyah' last='Johnson'] has always been a dominant player, but she has really elevated her game to another level this season which says a lot seeing how impressive she's been since 7th grade. She's averaging 19.9 PPG and 7.9 RPG. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='245899' first='Reagan' last='Bender'] (13.1 PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='257276' first='Angelina' last='Pelayo'] (8.8 PPG) continue to be additional leaders for the Valkyries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8th Region: Anderson County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 8th Region tournament had some huge upsets last year and I wouldn't be surprised to see another tough regional tournament this year as teams like Simon Kenton and South Oldham, among others, have shown they can compete with anyone. However, at this point of time, Anderson County is the team to beat. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='254281' first='Lainey' last='Johnson'] has solidified herself as a top player in the state prior to this season and she's further proving that this season as she's averaging 20.4 PPG and 6.4 RPG on 50.2% shooting from the field and 38.4% from 3. Senior PG Jenna Satterly is the other leader on this team. Satterly is averaging 17.4 PPG and 4 RPG on 54.4% shooting from the field and 44.6% from 3. The remaining Lady Bearcats core has also consistently come up big this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->