Preseason Preview: Top Prospects in Regions 13 and 14

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regular season practice has officially tipped off across Kentucky, with scrimmages set to begin this month. As we gear up for another exciting year of high school hoops, I've broken down the top college prospects in each region heading into the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note:</strong>&nbsp;This list is not a ranking of the top overall players. Instead, it highlights the best&nbsp;<em>college prospects</em>&nbsp;in each region based on their potential to succeed at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 13:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747655' first='Mariella' last='Claybrook'], <strong>North Laurel (2027)</strong> - A top-five player in the class of 2027 and one of the most sought-after prospects in the state, she averaged 10 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for a North Laurel team that finished 32-3, capturing district and region championships and making their third straight trip to Rupp Arena. She currently holds 14 Division I offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747656' first='Shelbie' last='Mills'], <strong>Knox Central (2027)</strong> - The top guard in the region, she averaged 18.3 points per game while helping lead Knox Central to a 25-5 record and their fourth straight 51st District title. She holds offers from UVA Wise and Wingate University and is due for a big junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747650' first='Skeeter' last='Mabe'], <strong>South Laurel (2027)</strong> - Committed to Campbellsville University, she is one of the most versatile players in the state, averaging 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while helping guide South Laurel to a 26-5 season that included a 50th District championship and a trip to the 13th Region title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='897384' first='Kairi' last='Lamb'], <strong>Bell County (2026)</strong> - She had a monster junior season, averaging 17.8 points per game and ranking among the top 10 rebounders in the state with 13.2 boards per contest. A dominant force in the paint, she'll shoulder a heavier load for Bell County this season following the graduation of the team's leading scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 14:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747671' first='Sadie' last='Johnson'], <strong>Letcher County Central (2027)</strong> - The top center prospect in the class of 2027, she led Shelby Valley in scoring (17 PPG) and rebounding (7 RPG) last season while surpassing 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds. A First Team All-Mountain selection, she has transferred to Letcher County Central, where she'll help the Lady Cougars build on a strong 2024–25 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='796168' first='Lexie' last='Combs'], <strong>Breathitt County (2028)</strong> - She posted a team-high 16.8 points per game and led Breathitt County to a 55th District championship while surpassing the 1,000-point career mark. A skilled guard who can score, facilitate, and guard the perimeter, she will continue to be a key piece for the Lady Cats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='973205' first='Maddi' last='Frohnapfel'], <strong>Hazard (2028)</strong> - As a freshman, she led Hazard with 17.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, guiding the Lady Bulldogs to a 54th District title and a Region Championship game appearance. Having already surpassed 1,000 career points, she holds an offer from Kentucky Christian University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747663' first='Macey' last='Brown'], <strong>Owsley County (2027)</strong> - She had a huge sophomore season, leading the Lady Owls with 16 points per game and finishing as the top rebounder in the state with 14.5 boards per contest. She recorded numerous double-doubles throughout the year and surpassed 1,000 career rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->