Potential Future Contenders

<p>I recently did an article series about young teams across the state (linked below). While I'm sure I missed some young teams, I was able to discuss 25 different teams with a roster made up of at least 66% underclassmen (sophomores or younger). As I was doing my research for that series, I realized there were many teams with multiple young contributors who may not necessarily fit the mold because of the number of upperclassmen on their roster. I still wanted to include those teams in some way, so below you will find more teams to watch for the remainder of this season and in the future. By no means is this an exhaustive list, but these are some of the teams you should have on your radar.</p>   <p>In case you missed the Young Teams series, here are the links to those articles: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/young-teams-across-the-bluegrass-part-1/">Part 1</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/young-teams-across-the-bluegrass-part-2/">Part 2</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/young-teams-across-the-bluegrass-part-3/">Part 3</a>, and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/young-teams-across-the-bluegrass-part-4/">Part 4</a>. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breckinridge County</h2>   <p>Breckinridge County may be graduating their scoring leader from this season, but they are set to return the remainder of their roster next season. They are currently 18-8 overall and 10-2 in their region. Outside of Lucas, they have ten players who have seen the floor this year. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='890069' first='Elizabeth' last='Grimes'] (14 PPG) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='364233' first='Kayleigh' last='Huffines'] (10 PPG) will likely be their leading returners going into next season. Grimes is a tough guard who can create offense for both herself and her teammates. Huffines does her damage more inside of the paint and around the basket, but she can also stretch out and knock down shots. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='879209' first='Josie' last='Mitcham'] (5.2 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='650201' first='Kylie' last='Carby'] (4.6 PPG), and [player_tooltip player_id='655457' first='Rowan' last='Radaszewski'] (4.1 PPG), along with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1038933' first='Adelynn' last='Moorman'] (3.2 PPG) will be some other key returners next season as all of them have been big contributors this season. The Lady Tigers have shown a lot of toughness this season and even though Lucas will not be an easy player to replace, they will have a strong core returning next season. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bullitt East</h2>   <p>Bullitt East will graduate some key players after this season, but they have a big group of younger players who will be ready to take a step up next season. They currently have a 15-14 record and are 4-4 in their region. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1172560' first='Mollie' last='Johnston'] (12.8 PPG/6.4 RPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='376761' first='Anna' last='Tinelli'] (12.3 PPG/5.2 RPG) are two of the leading scorers and rebounders for the Lady Chargers this season. Beyond contributing on the boards and scoring, they both have made a huge impact defensively. Tinelli is a quick guard who can come up with many steals while also using her shifty handles to lead the offense and get to the rim or create open looks. Johnston can score inside or out and does a great job of reading the passing lane defensively. She also isn't afraid to give a physical presence down low. Another top returner will be freshman [player_tooltip player_id='458936' first='Lyla' last='Packer'] (4 PPG/4.5 RPG) who continues to make large leaps. Packer uses her length to block or alter shots defensively and has good touch around the rim on the offensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='881794' first='Kennedy' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='458928' first='Aubrey' last='Packer'], Carli Bryant, Mallory Pierce, Tessa Parker, and Lilly Crumbacker are the other Varsity players who are set to return to the lineup next season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Campbell County</h2>   <p>Campbell County has a very impressive group of young players. They currently have an 18-10 overall and 6-1 in their region. Out of the 10 players who have played in nearly every game this season, 8 of them are set to return next season, including their top 4 scorers. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='818840' first='Isabella' last='Jayasuriya'] (13.3 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='724176' first='Faith' last='Whitford'] (7.2 PPG), and [player_tooltip player_id='1003240' first='Madeleine' last='Barbian'] (6.6 PPG), along with junior Macie Peoples (5.7 PPG) have been their leading scorers this season. Jayasuriya (6.1 RPG) and Peoples (5.7 RPG) are their leading rebounders as well. They have some of the most well-distributed stats you'll find and what makes them especially dangerous is how well they play as a team. You could see different stat leaders on any given night and they have multiple 8th graders contributing valuable minutes, most notably [player_tooltip player_id='870038' first='Kendall' last='Augsback'] (3.9 PPG), Stella Brockman (3.3 PPG), and Addie Davis (2 PPG). This is a young group that has shown a ton of potential. They have beat some really good teams this season and I'd expect to hear a lot about this group in the future.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Elizabethtown</h2>   <p>Elizabethtown gained some huge pieces last offseason when they named Amber Courtney as their newest head coach. Not only did they make a strong hire there, but they also added two young stars in the process as Courtney's daughters, Miyah and Maliah, are both very talented players. Eighth-grader [player_tooltip player_id='961302' first='Maliah' last='Courtney'] has been putting up big numbers and is the Panthers leading scorer (17.1 PPG). She is shooting 38% from 3 and it doesn't take much space or time for her to get her shot off, but she is a true 3-level scorer who just keeps getting better and better. She is one of the top 2028 players in the state. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='376788' first='Miyah' last='Courtney'] is one of the best 2026 players in the state and is also averaging double figures this season (12.2 PPG). Miyah can stuff a stat sheet and it's not surprising to see her get multiple steals, assists, and rebounds on top of her scoring. Juniors Maebrie Cochran (5.9 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='631214' first='Harper' last='Gregory'] (5.8 PPG), and [player_tooltip player_id='862420' first='Emerson' last='Gregory'] (4.8 PPG), along with eighth-grader [player_tooltip player_id='961279' first='Symone' last='Headspeth'] (3.7 PPG/5.1 RPG) are some other key contributors that can return next season among others that have played valuable minutes this season. The Panthers are currently 16-12 overall and 11-3 in their region.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Johnson Central</h2>   <p>It may seem crazy to say a team that is currently 23-2 overall and 7-1 in their region is a <em>future</em> top contender, but they have five key contributors who can return next season along with many young players who can step up once they graduate their seniors. In fact, they can return 17 different players who have played in at least one game this season. When it comes to top returners, the Lady Eagles can turn to junior Kaylyn McKenzie (10.3 PPG), eighth-grader [player_tooltip player_id='934138' first='Karlea' last='Stanley'] (6.7 PPG), and junior Adyson Burchett (6 PPG). They have a strong junior class as Haylee Marsillett and Maddie Prater will be additional key returners for Johnson Central. McKenzie has been a top shooter all season, averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 39% from deep. Stanley is one of the top 2028 players in Kentucky. Burchett is a multi-sport athlete who is capable of scoring double figures in any given game. They will have a lot of senior leaders again next season along with experience and they should have a lot of success once again.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Perry County Central</h2>   <p>Perry County Central has 11 players who have played in at least 22 of their 27 games this season. Out of those 11 players, nine are set to return next season meaning they should have a lot of experience and depth to work with. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='502134' first='Kyra' last='McAlarnis'] (20.6 PPG/7.4 RPG) has been incredible this season and is the Lady Commodores leading scorer and rebounder. You can never predict how the votes will go, but I can confidently say McAlarnis will be towards the top of the list for 14th Region Player of the Year. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1093165' first='Taylor' last='Couch'] (7.3 PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='761877' first='Brooklyn' last='Cornett'] (6.8 PPG) along with junior Shyanne Couch have also been big for Perry Central this season, helping lead their team to a 17-10 record overall and an 11-4 record in the region. Seventh-grader [player_tooltip player_id='1123097' first='Ryleigh' last='Feltner'] has shown a ton of potential in her 1st Varsity season and will be a big piece for them in the years to come. Beyond those players, the Commodores have several other contributors from this season who can return next year, including Ashlyn Dixon, Shawna Anderson, Hayden Young, and Emily Noble.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scott</h2>   <p>I was accounting for total number of juniors and seniors on the roster in my young teams series which put Scott below the minimum percentage, but they are a very young group overall. Out of the seven players who have played in every game this season, six of them can return next season, including their top five leading scorers and rebounders. They are currently 16-11 overall and 4-1 in the region. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='688048' first='Kaia' last='Peterson'] (10.7 PPG/4.9 RPG), eighth graders [player_tooltip player_id='831862' first='Nakiah' last='Mejia'] (9.9 PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='963023' first='Noelle' last='Price'] (8.8 PPG), and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='743670' first='Kourtney' last='Peterson'] (7.1 PPG/6.7 RPG) have led the way this season with multiple other players contributing valuable minutes as well. While you have to respect [player_tooltip player_id='688048' first='Kaia' last='Peterson']'s ability to knock down jump shots, her crafty drives and tough finishes have proven hard to stop this season. She does a little bit of everything though, as does her teammates. Price and Mejia may still be in middle school, but you wouldn't guess it when you watch them play. They bring defensive intensity and are big threats on the offensive end of the court. [player_tooltip player_id='743670' first='Kourtney' last='Peterson'] has shown the potential to be a very special player as well with her nice touch around the basket and excellent hands on both ends of the court. Jayla Sanders, Ariana Patterson, [player_tooltip player_id='605505' first='Haley' last='Holcomb'], and Addison Deaton are some of the other players set to return who played in at least half of the games this season. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Simon Kenton</h2>   <p>Simon Kenton's top five leading scorers are all underclassmen. They currently have an 18-9 record overall and are 5-1 in their region. They have played a very tough schedule and while their youth may be seen at times, they have shown a ton of toughness and grit this season. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='739708' first='Brynli' last='Pernell'] (15.2 PPG) continues to show everyone why she is one of the top 2027 players in the state as she is a 3-level scoring threat who can never be overlooked. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='724178' first='Haylie' last='Webb'] (12.1 PPG/8.5 RPG) is the Lady Pioneers leading rebounder and has such a strong presence down low on both ends of the court. Pernell and Webb are both shooting over 34% from 3 this season. Fellow sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='859859' first='Anna' last='Kelch'] (9.6 PPG) and Meg Gadzala (5.2 PPG), along with eighth-grader [player_tooltip player_id='1199130' first='Bella' last='Ober'] (3.9 PPG) have also been big contributors this season and are capable of scoring double figures in any given game. Junior Katelin Blevins has also been in the regular rotation this season. Beyond the players above, you can expect some others to take a step up next season, but they will have an excellent core returning and should remain one of the top teams in the state throughout the season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Taylor County</h2>   <p>Taylor County's roster is 62.5% underclassmen (sophomores or younger). They currently have a record of 20-7 overall and are 11-2 in their region. They are set to return seven of their top eight leading scorers next season. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='502129' first='Kayley' last='Benningfield'] (10.1 PPG), junior [player_tooltip player_id='254284' first='Grace' last='Bale'] (8.2 PPG), seventh-grader [player_tooltip player_id='1050025' first='Kennedy' last='Deener'] (8 PPG), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='902864' first='Alexis' last='Knifley'] (7.9 PPG), and junior [player_tooltip player_id='902295' first='Kennedy' last='Jackson'] (7.3 PPG) have been the Lady Cards leaders in their well-balanced offense this season. Benningield has excellent length, especially for a guard, and she has taken a big step up this season. She is shooting nearly 40% from 3 while also being able to get into the paint or to the rim. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='254284' first='Grace' last='Bale'] may have missed the first part of the season as she fought to get back on the court from an ACL injury, but that didn't stop her from hitting the 1,000-point mark. You can expect a big senior campaign from Bale next season. Deener, in her first Varsity season, has been very impressive and has shown she is one of the top 2029 players in the state. Knifley is a fearless player who has come in clutch for her team on multiple occasions. Jackson, on top of being a top scorer, has been Taylor County's leading rebounder this season (7 RPG). The Lady Cards have some other key returners in [player_tooltip player_id='502108' first='Avery' last='Raikes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='239839' first='Riley' last='Sprowles']. They also have a talented group of young players that could take a big leap next season.</p>

I recently did an article series about young teams across the state (linked below). While I'm sure I missed some young teams, I was able to discuss 25 different teams with a roster made up of at least 66% underclassmen (sophomores or younger). As I was doing my research for that series, I realized there were many teams with multiple young contributors who may not necessarily fit the mold because of the number of upperclassmen on their roster. I still wanted to include those teams in some way, so below you will find more teams to watch for the remainder of this season and in the future. By no means is this an exhaustive list, but these are some of the teams you should have on your radar.