Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Sweet 16 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Clark's Pump-N-Shop Girls' Basketball Sweet 16 tips off tomorrow at the historic Rupp Arena in Lexington. Known as the “Greatest Show in Hoops,” the state tournament is where stars are born, memories are made, and lives are changed. Prep Girls Hoops Kentucky is breaking down the field with a look at some key storylines, potential Cinderella teams, top contenders, and who could ultimately be crowned champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Key Storylines</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Henderson County (24-9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Colonels are making their eighth straight Sweet 16 appearance. This team looks poised to make a deeper run after falling short in the quarterfinals last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493155' first='Atylia' last='Green'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='489405' first='Adalyn' last='Gish']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='913407' first='JaNyla' last='Locher']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Taylor County (27-6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finished as the top team in the 5th region, making their second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance and first under head coach Donnie Swiney.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1050025' first='Kennedy' last='Deener'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='502129' first='Kayley' last='Benningfield']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='902696' first='Greta' last='Bradstreet']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='502108' first='Avery' last='Raikes']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>North laurel</strong> <strong>(26-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team hasn't lost since February 5th and is making its fourth consecutive trip to Rupp Arena under Eddie Mahan, the winningest coach in North Laurel program history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747655' first='Mariella' last='Claybrook']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493157' first='Haley' last='Combs']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1274577' first='Laylee' last='Phillips']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1109605' first='Bella' last='Lewis'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1133142' first='Bella' last='Mahan']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Owensboro Catholic (26-9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owensboro Catholic is back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2023 and will be making its seventh overall appearance under head coach Michael Robertson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='958540' first='Katie' last='Hagan']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='812951' first='Taylor' last='Mannahan']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='997467' first='Claudia' last='Munsey']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='999589' first='Layla' last='Martin']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ashland Blazer (26-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top team in the 16th Region, the Kittens have now made back-to-back trips to Rupp Arena and will look to make a deeper run after last year's first-round exit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='724181' first='Gabby' last='Karle']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747675' first='Brookelyn' last='Duckwyler']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='494473' first='Aryanna' last='Gulley']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='913398' first='Alexis' last='Troxler']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Franklin-Simpson</strong> <strong>(24-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Franklin-Simpson Lady Wildcats has made a run to the state tournament for the second consecutive year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='821756' first='Allye' last='Pennington']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='897374' first='Kloie' last='Smith']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pikeville (23-11)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pikeville is back in the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years after defeating the reigning region champions Johnson Central in the 15th Region Championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='376765' first='Kylie' last='Alvin']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1802952' first='Catharine' last='Walters']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Letcher County Central (23-10)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Letcher County Central is back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2022 after clinching the 14th Region Championship with a win over the defending region champions, Knott County Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747671' first='Sadie' last='Johnson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1211601' first='Molly' last='Caudill']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Bullitt East (19-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Chargers closed the season on an eight-game winning streak and emerged as a surprise team, rising to the occasion to capture the 6th Region Championship. It marks their return to prominence since the memorable 2022 season when they finished as state runner-up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1172560' first='Mollie' last='Johnston']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='376761' first='Anna' last='Tinelli']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1766809' first='Lyla' last='Packer']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Cinderella Teams</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Calloway County (33-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calloway County has been one of the top teams in the state all season and is making its return to Rupp Arena for the first time in 15 years. This is a team that certainly has the talent and momentum to shock the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='494359' first='Sayler' last='Lowe']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='761880' first='Jaidan' last='Koch']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1242646' first='Josie' last='Haynes']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notre Dame (24-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pandas captured the 9th Region Championship in an overtime thriller against Holy Cross (Covington), redeeming themselves after falling just short last season. This will be their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2013.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='842517' first='Emma' last='Holtzapfel']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1590841' first='Sarah' last='Young']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='999585' first='Joslyn' last='LaBordeaux-Humphrey']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747684' first='Amelia' last='Stallard']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>West Jessamine (22-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Jessamine captured the 12th Region title and will be making its first state tournament appearance in program history. Led by one of the top juniors in Kentucky and a strong supporting cast of seniors, this is a confident group that could make a deep run in the Sweet 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='557203' first='Claire' last='Marshall']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='502127' first='Katie' last='Mastin']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1052043' first='Kimberly' last='Johnson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='566167' first='Ariana' last='McLoney</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='566170' first='Isabella' last='Lewis']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Top Contenders</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Assumption (24-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assumption snapped Sacred Heart's five-year stranglehold on the 7th Region championship, defeating the Valkyries in the title game to claim the program's first region crown since 2007. The Rockets are playing their best basketball at the right time, riding a red-hot 13-game winning streak into the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='376789' first='Ashlinn' last='James']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='657816' first='Se'Rae' last='Bundrent-Palmer']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493156' first='Ava' last='Moore']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Simon Kenton (31-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton finished the season as one of the top teams in the state and will make their second straight trip to the Sweet 16 under 8th Region Coach of the Year Jeff Stowers. The Lady Pioneers have built a strong identity around a proven system and outstanding team chemistry that could take them all the way to Saturday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='739708' first='Brynli' last='Pernell']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='724178' first='Haylie' last='Webb']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Frederick Douglass (24-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Broncos are headed back downtown to Rupp Arena for the second year in a row, looking to finish the job this season after making a run to the Final Four last year. With a roster full of talent and experience, this group has the pieces to make plenty of noise in this year's Sweet 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='743664' first='Jaelee' last='Knowles']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='903256' first='Tamia' last='Waide']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='883229' first='Mikalee' last='Bennett']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Champion</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>George Rogers Clark (29-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GRC is riding a 20-game winning streak and hasn't tasted defeat since mid-January, claiming the 10th Region championship and earning a trip to Rupp Arena for the fifth straight year. The defending state runner-ups appear to be in championship form, and this could be the year they finally finish the job, potentially giving head coach Robbie Graham his first state title in 13 seasons at the helm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='739686' first='Kennedy' last='Stamper']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='376806' first='Teigh' last='Yeast']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='963013' first='Kyleigh' last='Chestnut']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1276182' first='E'liyah' last='Strode']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->