Hot Out The Gate: Players On Fire To Start The Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025–2026 season is officially underway across the Bluegrass State, and players wasted no time making their presence felt. In this article, I'll highlight standouts who are off to hot starts, delivering big-time performances to open the season and setting the tone for what could be breakout years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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-692f5ca9c19c2"} --> <!-- 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'] opened her senior season in dominant fashion, delivering a monster performance to lead Edmondson County to a hard-fought 49–46 win over Monroe County. Williams was unstoppable inside, posting a team-high 23 points and 19 rebounds while setting the tone physically on both ends of the floor. She also went 7-of-9 from the charity stripe, helping the Lady Cats secure the season-opening victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["566173"],"_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-692f5ca9c1a33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Madison Southern opened the season with a statement, knocking off Wayne County 65–51 and giving Head Coach Juan Byars his first victory with the program. Standout senior [player_tooltip player_id='566173' first='Laci' last='Sandlin'] was spectacular, powering the Lady Eagles with a game-high 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in a complete all-around performance. Her scoring, playmaking ability, and rebounding prowess set the tone as Madison Southern starts the season 1–0 and looks poised to build momentum under Byars' leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["647296"],"_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-692f5ca9c1a8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Highlands opened the season in impressive fashion, taking down 9th Region foe Dixie Heights 63–53. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='647296' first='Kaylee' last='Mills'] led all scorers with 17 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and went 3 for 4 downtown. Helping the Bluebirds control momentum throughout and secure a strong statement win to kick off the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376791"],"_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-692f5ca9c1adb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Valkyries opened the 2025–2026 season with a convincing 65–42 blowout win over Breckinridge County. Marshall commit [player_tooltip player_id='376791' first='Brianna' last='Wilkins'] had a game-high 22 points, ripped down 4 boards, nailed two triples and went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Sacred Heart will face a tougher test next, hosting a really good South Laurel team on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["649948"],"_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-692f5ca9c1b2f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Southwestern star [player_tooltip player_id='649948' first='Jaelyn' last='Dye'] is on a mission to start her junior season, erupting for 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists to lead the Lady Warriors to a 73–65 win over Danville. With the victory, Southwestern starts the year 1–0 and will look to keep the momentum rolling as they host Metcalfe County tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376765"],"_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-692f601955339"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">UPIKE commit [player_tooltip player_id='376765' first='Kylie' last='Alvin'] is off to an outstanding start to her senior season, stuffing the stat sheet with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals to lead the Lady Panthers to a dominant 57–28 season-opening win. Pikeville now turns its attention to a tough road matchup at Boyd County on Friday, where Alvin and the Lady Panthers will look to keep things rolling. (Featured Image)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1050214"],"_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-692f5ca9c1b80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1050214' first='Hannah' last='Simmon'] poured in 24 points, drained six threes, added 3 steals, and dished out 2 assists to lead the LKY Saints to their first win of the season a crushing 69–18 victory over Iroquois. Simmon looked poised and confident from the opening tip, showcasing why she's already considered one of the top freshmen in Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->