District Tournament Preview: The 60th District

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are at the end of February, and every team has played their final game of the regular season and will start District Tournament play this week. All 64 districts will be represented and one team from each district will be crowned champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Take a look at my preview of the 60th district tournament that kicks off tonight at 7:00pm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">Phelps</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Hornets had a good start to the 2023-2024 season, going 12-4, through their first 16 games, but they fell off track and went on a 5 game losing streak to end the month of January, then won 4 of their last 9 games finishing with a 16-13 record on the season going 0-4 in district play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><em><strong>Players to Watch:</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897385' first='Caleigh' last='McCoy']-SO-SG-</strong>Star player that has been putting up big numbers all-season for Phelps. She is a prolific scorer that can get a bucket from all 3 levels, and displays poise of an upperclassman. McCoy is in the top 40 for scoring leaders in the state, averaging a team-leading 19.6 PPG, shoots 41.9 from deep and 70.9 from the free throw line. She dropped 18 points in the first game and 19 in the second game against Belfry this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885879' first='Kylea' last='Weddington']-JR-CG-</strong>The second-leading scorer averaging about 13 points per game, also leads the team in rebounds with 7.4 per game. Weddington is a good ball handler that always looks to get others involved. She is a outside scoring threat and a terrific rebounder as well. Her effort on the glass and ability to hit perimeter jumpers will be key for Phelps in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">Belfry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belfry lost 7 games in a row to start the season, only winning 4 of their first 15 games, as they struggled to find chemistry with their new roster. But they started to gel mid-season and only lost 2 out of their last 12 games, finishing with a record of 14-13 on the season and 3-1 in the dristrict. Belfry won four straight district titles before losing to Pike County Central last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Players to Watch:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='871216' first='Jaaliyah' last='Warren']-SR-PG-</strong>Was the captain of the ship for the Lady Pirates this season, averaging 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and about 4 assists per game. Players with the scoring ability of Warren are far and between. She put up fantastic numbers all season and reached 1,000 career points earlier this month. I think it is important to mention that she dropped 30 points in the last matchup against Pike County Central and 36 points against Phelps this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>[player_tooltip player_id='667082' first='Jenna' last='Sparks']<strong>-</strong>The 6'3 senior and Tusculum University Commit played at a very high level for Belfry this season, she averaged 12 points a game and pulled down a team-leading 12.3 boards a game, while leading the team in blocks as well. Sparks is a tremendous shot blocker, and rebounder that can score at the rim and consistently knock down short jumpers in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">Pike County Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning district champs Pike County Central put together a solid season finishing with a record of 16-12, going 3-1 in district games, beating Phelps twice and Belfry once. This team played their best basketball in January, winning 7 out of 8 games during the month and 3 out of their last 8 games to end the regular season after losing to Floyd Central last night. They are the number one seed and will have a first round bye and face either Phelps or Belfry in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Players to Watch:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='311949' first='Hannah' last='May']<strong>-</strong>Was absolutely sensational throughout the regular season, she put up a team-leading 19.1 PPG and finished in the top 50 for scoring leaders in the state. The lone senior was a reliable scorer for her team all season and had several games with 25 points or more. Yates provides instant offense and scores well in transition. She also has a knack for drawing contact and getting to the free throw line, where she shoots an impressive 87.9%, averaging 4.5 free throws per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Abigail Hess-JR-SG-</strong>Is the teams second-leading averaging 10.6 PPG this season. She has been a key contributor on both offense and defense, with her ability to knock down 3-pointers and come up with steals. She could be the X-factor for the Lady Hawks in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br>Lindsey Bowman-JR-F-</strong>Has been extremely productive for Pike County Central, averaging a near double-double on the season with 9.9 PPG along with 9.5 RPG. She is tough and doesn't shy away from being physical in the paint. She is also a good rim protector and rebounder that thrives off of put-back buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->