Next Up: Replacing Top 2024s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 class was really strong from top to bottom and included (by my count) 20 players who signed at the D1 level. But with summer upon us, it's time for players to step up and take the spots of the top players in 2024. Here's a look at some players who could be in line for much bigger roles starting as soon as this week with "summer ball" starting up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='167106' first='Trinity' last='Rowe'] left Pikeville as one of the best players in school history and 2024 Miss Basketball. Replacing her will not be an easy task but [player_tooltip player_id='688045' first='Leighan' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='376765' first='Kylie' last='Alvin'] will both do their best. Jackson specifically should be in line for the lion's share of the shots with Rowe gone.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='724188' first='Kennedy' last='Darnell'] is in a similar position as she has to replace [player_tooltip player_id='167099' first='Shaelyn' last='Steele']. Steele ended her career as likely the best player in school history. Russell will hope to avoid a drop off from losing her to Penn State and Darnell is their best bet to step up in Shaelyn's absence.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Butler has been decimated by graduation and lost both [player_tooltip player_id='231487' first='Mariah' last='Knight'] and Ramiya Knight to D1 schools in addition to 7 other Seniors. [player_tooltip player_id='631215' first='Anieja' last='Russell'] is the lone player with serious varsity experience for the Bearettes and it looks like they will be in rebuilding mode.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='743739' first='Jada' last='Ray'] is in line to be a top player in the 16th region for the next three seasons. She will need to help replace both [player_tooltip player_id='167104' first='Audrey' last='Biggs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='231464' first='Jasmine' last='Jordan'] for a Boyd County squad that has been really good for the last few years. Ray is a good guard who is ready for the next step and should be on the radar for D1 schools.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ayanna Sarai-Darrington's impact will not be missed as much on offense as Douglass will miss her defense, rim protection and rebounding. If anything, [player_tooltip player_id='231488' first='Niah' last='Rhodes'] should see her scoring numbers go up for the Broncos. [player_tooltip player_id='743664' first='Jaelee' last='Knowles'] is expected to see her numbers go up across the board. Losing Ayanna hurts but Douglass returns all but two players off their 11th region runner up team.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->