All-Region Underclassmen: Regions 4 & 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kentucky high school basketball is very unique. Instead of having classes or divisions, there is only one state tournament and one state champion for the entire state. To get to the state tournament, you have to win your regional tournament. There are 16 regions across the state. Towards the end of the regular season, you'll see regions start releasing their All-Region teams, as voted by the coaches within the region. Excluding honorable mention, regions typically have around 15 players on their All-Region teams. Since there is a limited number of players included, it's not surprising to see these teams made up primarily of juniors and seniors. Here is a look at some of the underclassmen (sophomores and under) who were named to an All-Region team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"textAlign":"left"} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left">4th Region</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743651"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRegular season stats:u003c/strongu003e 23.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 47.5% FG, 29.5% 3-Pt FG, 77% FTrnrnMorris had a fantastic freshman season and the 4th Region coaches clearly recognized how impressive she was all season long as they named her 1st Team All-Region. She received the most votes of any underclassmen in the poll as well. That's not surprising if you've watched Morris play. She has an ability to score at all 3 levels and she does a great job finding and attacking gaps in a defense. Morris is very comfortable and confident with the ball. What the stats above don't show is that she also gets it done on the defensive end and can create well for teammates. Morris scored her 1,000th Varsity point in her freshman season and it's safe to say there is still a lot to come from the young standout. u003cemu003eAs a side note: Morris' ranking on here is simply wrong. She has proven she is a top 2027 in the state. u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1038042' first='McLaine' last='Hudson']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"South Warren","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRegular season stats:u003c/strongu003e 17.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 30.3% FG, 26.5% 3-Pt FG, 73% FTu003cbru003eu003cbru003eHudson is a multi-sport standout. On top of being named 1st Team All-Region for her play on the basketball court, she is also a star softball player, including being named to the USA U18 Women's National Team. On the court, Hudson does a little bit of everything. On top of leading South Warren in scoring, she is a tenacious defender who is constantly reading the passing lanes and coming up with steals. She has a fearless scorer's mentality on the offensive end of the floor, including catching the ball ready to get off quick shots and making aggressive drives to the basket.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='897374' first='Kloie' last='Smith']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Franklin-Simpson","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRegular season stats:u003c/strongu003e 10.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 53.5% FG, 64.8% FTu003cbru003eu003cbru003eI didn't get to watch every team in the 4th Region play this season, but after watching Franklin-Simpson play a few times this season, I'm pretty surprised Smith was named 3rd Team All-Region rather than 1st or 2nd Team for a couple of reasons. Her team finished the regular season with an impressive 27-1 record and she was a consistent factor in their success. She makes a big impact on both ends of the court. Defensively, she can come up with blocks and steals while also being a strong presence in the post. Offensively, she has good hands and touch, and she makes good decisions with the ball. She has an excellent field goal percentage, but she recognizes when help steps and is ready to kick to teammates.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='913403' first='Madi' last='Cooksey']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Cumberland County","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRegular season stats:u003c/strongu003e 13.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 43.8% FG, 29.9% 3-Pt FG, 81.5% FTu003cbru003eu003cbru003eCooksey may be a freshman, but she is her team's leader in nearly every statistical category. She was named 3rd Team All-Region by the coaches. While she can obviously score the ball, she is not a selfish player by any means. When you watch her play, you'll see her looking and working to create for her teammates. Cooksey also does a fantastic job on the boards. She works hard to secure the ball off the rim on both ends of the court which led to a few double-doubles this season and will lead to many more in her future.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='913405' first='Sarah' last='Thompson']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Monroe County","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRegular season stats:u003c/strongu003e 13 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 49.2% FG, 28.6% 3-Pt FG, 57.1% FTu003cbru003eu003cbru003eThompson showed a ton of potential in her freshman season. The young forward nearly averaged a double-double throughout the season. What makes that even more impressive is how hard she worked to get those numbers. If you watched Monroe County play, you would've seen Thompson putting in work down low. She did a great job boxing out to grab rebounds and handling contact around the basket. While she's listed as a forward, she showed versatility this season as well. She made good drives around defenders and made some great passes to teammates.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dfa01e89909"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5th Region</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502129"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRegular season stats:u003c/strongu003e 9.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 42.6% FG, 36% 3-Pt FG, 77.6% FTrnrnBenningfield was actually the only freshman named to the 15 player All-Region Team in the 5th Region. She may be just short of averaging double figures, but the reason for that is due to the well-balanced offense Taylor County has with 5 different players averaging 7-10 PPG. Benningfield is a very versatile player who can essentially play any position on the court. She contributes in a variety of ways and can score at all 3 levels. She is a good ball handler and makes good moves to get a step on her defender. She also shot over 35% from 3 this season, forcing the defense to stretch well beyond the perimeter. There's a lot still to come from Benningfield, but you better get used to hearing her name.rnrnu003cdiv class=u0022bg-gray-100 mb-6 rounded-lg shadowu0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022grid max-w-7xl grid-cols-1 gap-x-8 gap-y-10 px-5 pt-4 md:p-6 md:grid-cols-8u0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022player-details shadow-lg flex flex-col h-fit md:col-span-3 rounded-lg overflow-hiddenu0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022bg-white relative z-0 flex flex-col md:flex-row items-center overflow-hiddenu0022u003eu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='961289' first='Ella' last='Buckman']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Bardstown","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='712592' first='Kentucky' last='Premier']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRegular season stats:u003c/strongu003e 17.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 46.4% FG, 40.3% 3-Pt FG, 78.8% FTrnrnIt's rare to see a middle schooler named to an All-Region team, but Buckman is u003cemu003ethatu003c/emu003e talented. She has been so impressive for the Lady Tigers this season, including helping them finish the regular season with a 22-5 record. Buckman has the handles and IQ of a true point guard, but she brings so much more to the table than handles and ball handling moves. She can create space to get shots off, she can draw help and create for teammates, and she can really put the ball in the basket. She has deep range and can knock down shots very quickly. She can shoot off the dribble or the catch and is shooting over 40% from 3 on the season. Buckman is a special talent and has solidified herself as a top 2028 player in Kentucky.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='961302' first='Maliah' last='Courtney']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Elizabethtown","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Tennessee Flight EYBL","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRegular season stats:u003c/strongu003e 17.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 45.1% FG, 39% 3-Pt FG, 76.5% FTrnrnOnce again, when you see a middle schooler making an All-Region team, that player is likely a special talent. That is definitely the case when it comes to [player_tooltip player_id='961302' first='Maliah' last='Courtney']. She can quickly knock down shots, drive to the basket, or set up an offense. She does a great job really reading the defense to see gaps and attacks them very well. As a PG, Courtney has great handles and can throw some really nice passes to her teammates. She does a little bit of everything on the court and is only an eighth grader, so there is still a lot to come in her future. We can't predict the future, but Courtney definitely has the skills to be a future star.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Casey McKinney","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"North Hardin","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRegular season stats:u003c/strongu003e 12.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 64.7% FG, 45.3% FTrnrnMcKinney has had a strong season with North Hardin. She has proven she can provide her team with points and rebounds on a consistent basis. She brings excellent strength and size to the court. She makings things hard for opponents in the paint because of her determination to grab rebounds off of the rim. She can finish strong on both sides of the rim as well. She plays hard and is going to fight in the paint on both ends of the court. This is actually her first year at North Hardin after moving from out of state, so she has been a very welcome addition to this talented team and obviously other coaches in the region took note of her impact.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["376796"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRegular season stats:u003c/strongu003e 16.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 40.2% FG, 33.9% 3-Pt FG, 76.3% FTrnrnSimpson may be a point guard, but she can really stuff a stat sheet. Points, rebounds, assists, steals... she contributes in so many different ways. When you watch Simpson play, one thing that's going to really stand out is how hard she works on both ends of the court. She hustles for offensive rebounds, follows her shot well, locates opponents and boxes out strong, goes hard after 50/50 balls, gets in the passing lanes for steals, and the list goes on. Simpson is the kind of player every coach would love to have because you don't have to question her effort and fight. Expect to see more double-doubles and even triple-doubles from her in the future.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dfa01e899a0"} /-->