2026 Rankings Update: Stock-Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few prospects in the Class of 2026 who played at a really level and significantly raised their stock during the high school season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376799"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e0832f87625"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kennedy's junior campaign was one for the ages. The 5'8 sharpshooter averaged 18.6 points per game and led the Lady Panthers to an historic season, winning the 3rd Region championship for the first time in program history and earned their first-ever trip to the Sweet 16. In the opening round of the tournament against Danville Christian, she showcased her abilities on the big stage finishing with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Kennedy also etched her name in the record books by becoming Daviess County's all-time leading scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376790"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e0832f8769b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In their second season with Head Coach Candyce Wheeler at the helm, Butler finished as the top team in the 6th Region once again, posting a 22-7 record, going 12-1 in region play. The Bearetts successfully defended their 22nd District title and closed the regular season on a 10-game win streak, before suffering a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the region tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='376790' first='Keziah' last='Renee''] was undoubtedly the catalyst behind the Bearettes' success this season, leading the team in both scoring with 16.8 points per game (26th in the state) and rebounding with 7.3 per game, while shooting 57% from the field and 53.5% from three-point range. Along long the way, she made 1st Team All-Region and joined the 1,000-point and 500-rebound club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["663862"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e0844690eb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='663862' first='Lay' last='Mayes'] had a very strong junior season, where she averaged 19.7 points per game. (21st in the state). She became the Lady Cardinals' all-time leader in three-point field goals, and reached significant career milestones by surpassing 1,000 career points and 500 rebounds. Lay made the Paducah Sun Girls All-Purchase team for the second year in a row and received her first Division I offer from Morehead State University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["879212"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e0832f8776f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Campbellsville signee [player_tooltip player_id='879212' first='Cariann' last='Williams'] displayed her dominance throughout the season, leading Edmondson County with 18 points and 13.5 rebounds per game, ranking as the 6th leading rebounder in the state. She made history by becoming the Lady Cats' all-time leading rebounder with over 1,200 career rebounds, surpassing the previous record of 1,140 set back in 1995. Cariann helped her team finish the regular season on a 14-game win streak, secured the 12th District championship, and was selected 1st Team All-Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1050997"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e1da307eab5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1050997' first='Taylor' last='King'] played a key role in leading Rockcastle County to a 24-9 record, claiming the 47th District title and helped fuel the Lady Rockets to go on an impressive 13-game win streak before falling in the 12th Region championship game. Taylor averaged 18.8 points per game along with 6.5 rebounds, while showcasing her efficiency with shooting splits of 54/40/83. She finished 30th in scoring and was the 14th best free throw shooter in the state. Taylor earned 1st Team All-Region honors and has committed to play at the University of the Cumberlands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->