Class of 2030: Stars of Tomorrow Part-III

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're back with Part 3 of the <em>Class of 2030: “Stars of Tomorrow”</em> series. The future of girls' basketball in the Bluegrass State is undeniably bright, and the players featured in this installment are poised to carry the torch for Kentucky girls' basketball for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242646"],"_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-690d20948cf8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I ran into AJ Martin of the Global Basketball Academy and [program_tooltip program_id='715843' first='Kentucky' last='Elite'] Mentality travel program back in May at the <em>Grassroots in Gem City</em>, and all he did was rave about [player_tooltip player_id='1242913' first='Josie' last='Haynes']. The 5'5" guard averaged 8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game as a 7th grader for Murray High School last season. Josie's basketball intelligence and feel for the game are well beyond her years. She has a fabulous shooting stroke from three and knows how to get the rim, initate contact, and finish through it. Josie is also very unselfish, does a solid job distributing the ball and getting her teammates involved. Defensively, she guards the perimeter well and has a knack for forcing turnovers. Now making the move to Calloway County, she's set to be the cornerstone for the future of a program that has been one of the top teams in the 1st Region in recent years and currently features two players committed to play at the Division I level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1219861"],"_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-690d20948cff4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1219861' first='Kyah' last='Curtsinger'] She was a top performer at our PGH Freshman Showcase, then truly burst onto the scene after leading Leestown Middle School to an FCPS 7th Grade Girls Middle School Championship. She generated even more buzz at the KBC Middle School State Tournament. A high-motor guard with nice length and athleticism, Kyah shoots it well from the perimeter and can pull up smoothly for midrange jumpers, but she's at her best when attacking downhill, where she displays excellent body control and is a crafty and creative finisher at the rim. She also brings nonstop energy and effort to the floor on the defensive end. With her mix of skill, competitive spirit, and upside, Kyah is poised to become the next big prospect to emerge from the Lexington area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1357906"],"_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-690d24c88624a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The name McAlarnis has become synonymous with Kentucky girls' basketball, especially in the mountains. [player_tooltip player_id='1357906' first='Dani' last='McAlarnis'], the younger sister of former Perry/Knott Central star and 2024–25 14th Region Player of the Year Kyra McAlarnis, is quickly making a name of her own. As a 7th grader, Dani averaged 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, playing in all 32 games for the Lady Patriots and helping them punch their ticket to the Sweet 16. She is really good off the catch from deep and knocks down treys with the best of them. She rebounds the ball exceptionally well for a guard and relies on her instincts to come away with steals and get offense off of defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1357906' first='Dani' last='McAlarnis'] is without a doubt a name to follow as her career continues to unfold in Eastern Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361282"],"_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-6915376706b84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1361282' first='Grace' last='Hillerich'] comes from a strong basketball pedigree. Her older brother, Trey Hillerich, is one of the top centers in the country in the class of 2028. Standing at 6'1", Grace already possesses impressive size, length, and skill for her age. She makes her presence felt in the interior on both ends of the floor. Grace is an excellent rim protector, capable of altering and blocking shots, and her ability to control the glass makes her very valuable on the floor. She keeps the ball high, finishes efficiently around the rim, and can make short jumpers as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1361282' first='Grace' last='Hillerich'] looks to be the next premier post prospect to come out of Louisville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238625"],"_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-69150b3e4a9b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1238625' first='Chelsea' last='Cooper'] is another talented young prospect emerging out of Louisville, and she's already making her presence felt. A long, athletic guard who impacts the game in many ways. Offensively, she's a three-level scorer who can knock down shots from deep, attack off the dribble, and finish strong at the rim. She excels in transition, pushing the pace, using her speed to get easy points the other way. On the defensive end, she's a disruptor; her quickness, wingspan, and effort allow her to rack up steals, blocks, and deflections. [player_tooltip player_id='1238625' first='Chelsea' last='Cooper'] is a name everyone will know in Kentucky's Class of 2030</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->