Preseason Top Teams in Kentucky 8-13

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops Kentucky is excited to unveil our top teams heading into the 2025–2026 season. This list is based on last year's RPI standings, along with our own evaluations and observations, factoring in returning production, key new additions, and notable coaching changes across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">8. Cooper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper made four straight trips to the Sweet 16 under former head coach Justin Holthaus, but with him now leading the boys' program, the Lady Jaguars enter a new era under first-year head coach Christian Prohaska. Cooper boasts a talented, experienced backcourt featuring guards [player_tooltip player_id='1192546' first='Addyson' last='Brissey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1003207' first='Lyric' last='Hooper'], and [player_tooltip player_id='674797' first='Alivia' last='Scott'], and when you add the reigning 9th Region Player of the Year, [player_tooltip player_id='747645' first='Haylee' last='Noel'], to the equation, the ceiling remains incredibly high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">9. Henderson County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson County has reigned supreme in the 2nd Region and been a mainstay in the Sweet 16 for quite some time, and this season should be no different with Kentucky State signee [player_tooltip player_id='493155' first='Atylia' last='Green'] and standout guard [player_tooltip player_id='489405' first='Adalyn' last='Gish'] leading the way. However, the Lady Colonels could be without one of their top players, [player_tooltip player_id='376814' first='Brooklyn' last='Gibson'], for the entire season, which raises an important question about how her absence will impact this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">10. Rockcastle County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rockcastle County is another team we're really high on heading into the 2025–26 season. They have a Hall of Fame–caliber head coach in Chrysti Noble, who has been at the helm since the early 90s, has compiled well over 600 career wins, and led the program to a state championship in 2011, but the Lady Rockets haven't been back since then. They reached the region championship game last season, and with their seasoned seniors Cumberlands signee [player_tooltip player_id='1050997' first='Taylor' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='494529' first='Macy' last='Spivey'], this could be the group that finally breaks through. If everything comes together, Rockcastle County has a real chance to come out of the 12th Region and return to the Sweet 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">11. Taylor County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor County is coming off one of the best seasons in program history, finishing 25-9, winning the 5th Region, and making it to the Sweet 16 for the first time in over 40 years. They did lose some key pieces from last year's team to graduation, but there's still plenty of intrigue around this group. Superstar freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1050025' first='Kennedy' last='Deener'], who was instrumental to their success as an 8th grader, returns to lead the way, joined by juniors [player_tooltip player_id='502108' first='Avery' last='Raikes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='912952' first='Kallie' last='Vaughn'], along with sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='902696' first='Greta' last='Bradstreet']. This core may surprise some people this season and keep Taylor County firmly in the mix. However, a recent and unexpected coaching change could prove detrimental if the transition isn't smooth. How quickly this group adjusts to new leadership will go a long way in determining whether Taylor County can build on last year's historic run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">12. Notre Dame</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pandas finished 22-8 last season but suffered a heartbreaking loss in the 9th Region championship game in what was Kes Murphy's final year as head coach. They'll have to replace a lot of production and leadership, but senior sharpshooter and Bellarmine commit Emma Holtzaphel, along with [player_tooltip player_id='999585' first='Joslyn' last='LaBordeaux-Humphrey'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1415625' first='Addie' last='Lawrie'] are poised to help fill that void. You can also expect juniors [player_tooltip player_id='747684' first='Amelia' last='Stallard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='913426' first='Erin' last='McGraw'] to step up in a big way. This team has unfinished business and more than enough talent to redeem themselves and make it out of the 9th Region this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">13. South Laurel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Laurel had a stellar 2024–25 season under first-year head coach Tod Windlan, finishing 25–6 and advancing to the 13th Region championship game. They still have a strong group returning this season, led by juniors like Campbellsville commit [player_tooltip player_id='747650' first='Skeeter' last='Mabe'] and standout small forward [player_tooltip player_id='738252' first='Maci' last='Messer']. They also feature one of the top freshmen in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1203721' first='Callie' last='Jones'], who is already starting to take off. With that combination of proven upperclassmen and rising young talent, the Lady Cardinals could once again make some serious noise in the 13th Region this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->