2023 Queen of the Commonwealth: Preview (Main Gym)
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The 2023 Queen of the Commonwealth hosted by Bullitt East is once again one of the top in-state tournaments around. This year’s field is absolutely loaded with talent. No matter what rankings you look at, you will find nearly half…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 Queen of the Commonwealth hosted by Bullitt East is once again one of the top in-state tournaments around. This year’s field is absolutely loaded with talent. No matter what rankings you look at, you will find nearly half of the teams in the top 25. Most of the others could be found right outside of those top 25. Here is a look at the first day matchups happening in the main gym. Please note that leading 3-point shooters are only listed if the player has played in the majority of games so far and averages at least (1) 3-pointer made per game.
Meade County vs Corbin
4:00 PM, Main Gym
Meade County Lady Waves
- Team Record: 6-1
- Leading Scorer(s): Peyton Bradley Peyton Bradley 5'9" | CG Meade County | 2025 State KY (25.2 PPG), Paige Medley Paige Medley 5'5" | PG Meade County | 2024 State KY (16.2 PPG), Annabelle Babb Annabelle Babb 5'7" | SF Meade County | 2024 State KY (14.8 PPG)
- Leading Rebounder(s): Kaylee Rider (5.8 RPG), Peyton Bradley Peyton Bradley 5'9" | CG Meade County | 2025 State KY (5.4 RPG), Savannah Triplett Savannah Triplett 5'8" | PF Meade County | 2025 State KY (4.2 RPG)
- Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): Peyton Bradley Peyton Bradley 5'9" | CG Meade County | 2025 State KY (45.2% – 2.8 per game), Paige Medley Paige Medley 5'5" | PG Meade County | 2024 State KY (37.8% – 2.8 per game)
Corbin Lady Redhounds
- Team Record: 6-0
- Leading Scorer(s): Kylie Clem (19.4 PPG), Kallie Housley Kallie Housley 5'6" | SG Corbin | 2024 State KY (14.4 PPG), Bailey Stewart Bailey Stewart 5'8" | SF Corbin | 2024 State KY (12.6 PPG)
- Leading Rebounder(s): Bailey Stewart Bailey Stewart 5'8" | SF Corbin | 2024 State KY (5.6 RPG), Kallie Housley Kallie Housley 5'6" | SG Corbin | 2024 State KY (5.2 RPG), Kylie Clem (4.6 RPG)
- Leading 3-Point Shooter(s):
Bailey Stewart
Bailey
Stewart
5'8" | SF
Corbin | 2024
State
KY
(45.5% – 1 per game), Kylie Clem (42.9% – 1.8 per game),
Kallie Housley
Kallie
Housley
5'6" | SG
Corbin | 2024
State
KY
(35.7% – 2 per game), Darcie Anderson (33.3% – 1 per game)
*Missing 1 stat report per KHSAA at the time this was written
Game Preview: Meade County started off this season dominating a team that has four different players with D1 offers. Their only loss this season comes to a team out of state and they have played some tough games in the 1st few weeks of this season. Peyton Bradley Peyton Bradley 5'9" | CG Meade County | 2025 State KY is the kind of player who can really make any team competitive, but she has some very talented and experienced players around her too. Between Bradley, Medley, and Babb, you have 3 quick guards who can really score the ball. They will continue getting better as the season goes on because their other core players are still getting used to their new roles, but have been very solid so far.
Corbin is one of the toughest teams in the state. They aren’t afraid of physicality and don’t back down from any challenge. They really dominated a talented North Laurel team and are undefeated going into this tournament. Their main core consists of experienced upperclassman who are absolutely fearless. I think this tournament is an excellent place for them to show people who maybe don’t always get to watch them play that they are one of the best teams in the state this season.
Barren County vs Franklin County
5:30 PM, Main Gym
Barren County Trojanettes
- Team Record: 7-0
- Leading Scorer(s): Abby Varney (18.7 PPG), Shelby Byrd (9.7 PPG)
- Leading Rebounder(s): Abby Varney (8.2 RPG)
- Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): No player averages 1+ 3-pointer per game – as a team, they average 2.7 made 3’s per game and have shot 41.3% from deep on the season
*Missing 1 stat report per KHSAA at the time this was written
Franklin County Trojanettes
- Team Record: 4-3
- Leading Scorer(s): Rachel Shropshire Rachel Shropshire 6'3" | SF Franklin County | 2024 State KY (11.4 PPG), Leia Hogan Leia Hogan 5'5" | PG Franklin County | 2025 State KY (11.1 PPG)
- Leading Rebounder(s): Keyonna Taylor (6.3 RPG), Logan Kennedy Logan Kennedy 5'8" | PG Franklin County | 2026 State KY (6.1 RPG), Juliana Frazee Juliana Frazee 6'1" | C Franklin County | 2025 State KY (5.9 RPG)
- Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): Rachel Shropshire Rachel Shropshire 6'3" | SF Franklin County | 2024 State KY (52.6% – 1.4 per game), Alexandria Newton (41.2% – 1 per game), Leia Hogan Leia Hogan 5'5" | PG Franklin County | 2025 State KY (27.6% – 1.1 per game)
Game Preview: I’m very curious to see what Barren County can accomplish in this tournament. They are probably the team I’ve seen the least, but I continue to hear a lot about them and how they could really make some noise in the 4th region this year. They have a star in Abby Varney and are going into this tournament undefeated, but this will likely be their toughest test yet.
Franklin County’s record is a little deceiving because they’ve played one of the toughest schedules in the state so far this season. They come into this game on a 3 game winning streak and have a very talented team. They are long and active on both ends of the court.
Bethlehem vs Covington Holy Cross
7:00 PM, Main Gym
Bethlehem Banshees
- Team Record: 4-2
- Leading Scorer(s): Tessa Miles (15.2 PPG), Carlie Thurmond Carlie Thurmond 5'7" | PG Bethlehem | 2024 State KY (13.3 PPG), Ashlyn Miles Ashlyn Miles 5'8" | SG Bethlehem | 2024 State KY (12.7 PPG), Leah Macy Leah Macy 6'3" | PF Bethlehem | 2025 State KY (22.7 PPG)*
- Leading Rebounder(s): Ashlyn Miles Ashlyn Miles 5'8" | SG Bethlehem | 2024 State KY (6.5 RPG), Tessa Miles (5.2 RPG), Leah Macy Leah Macy 6'3" | PF Bethlehem | 2025 State KY (10.3 RPG)*
- Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): Carlie Thurmond Carlie Thurmond 5'7" | PG Bethlehem | 2024 State KY (30% – 1.5 per game), Leah Macy Leah Macy 6'3" | PF Bethlehem | 2025 State KY (57.1% – 1.3 per game)*
- * Leah Macy Leah Macy 6'3" | PF Bethlehem | 2025 State KY is the leading scorer and rebounder, along with one of the Banshees top 3-point shooters, but has only played in 3 games due to injury
Holy Cross (Covington) Indians
- Team Record: 5-2
- Leading Scorer(s): Julia Hunt Julia Hunt 6'1" | C Holy Cross (Covington) | 2024 State KY (13.6 PPG), Aaliyah Hayes Aaliyah Hayes 5'8" | SG Covington Holmes | 2024 State KY (10.6 PPG), Aniyah Carter Aniyah Carter 5'0" | PG Holy Cross | 2025 State KY (10.3 PPG), Miyah Wimzie Miyah Wimzie 5'10" | SF Holy Cross (Covington) | 2024 State KY (10 PPG)
- Leading Rebounder(s): Julia Hunt Julia Hunt 6'1" | C Holy Cross (Covington) | 2024 State KY (7.7 RPG), Miyah Wimzie Miyah Wimzie 5'10" | SF Holy Cross (Covington) | 2024 State KY (5.7 RPG), Aaliyah Hayes Aaliyah Hayes 5'8" | SG Covington Holmes | 2024 State KY (4.7 RPG)
- Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): Aniyah Carter Aniyah Carter 5'0" | PG Holy Cross | 2025 State KY (45.8% – 1.6 per game), Alyssa Arlinghaus (30% – 1.3 per game)
Game Preview: Bethlehem has been without their top-10 nationally ranked player, Leah Macy Leah Macy 6'3" | PF Bethlehem | 2025 State KY , since the 3rd game of the season. Without her, they don’t have a ton of size, but what they lack in size, they make up for in heart and effort. Tessa Miles, Carlie Thurmond Carlie Thurmond 5'7" | PG Bethlehem | 2024 State KY , and Ashlyn Miles Ashlyn Miles 5'8" | SG Bethlehem | 2024 State KY are all players who contribute in big ways on both ends of the court. The Banshees are coming off a tough loss and will be looking to get back on track tonight.
Holy Cross’ only 2 losses came in their 1st 3 games and they came to two very tough opponents. What I really like about their roster is that they have quick guard play, strong posts, good shooters, versatile players, etc. While I trust their guard play will be strong, where I could see them really taking advantage in this game is down low in the paint. They have one of the top shot blockers defensively and have great touch around the basket offensively.
Manual vs Boyd County
8:30 PM, Main Gym
Manual Lady Crimsons
- Team Record: 6-0
- Leading Scorer(s): Ashlinn James Ashlinn James 5'9" | PG DuPont Manual | 2026 State KY (14 PPG), Alana Smith Alana Smith 5'9" | SF Dupont Manual | 2024 State KY (12.7 PPG), Electra Lovely-Tolbert (12.7 PPG)
- Leading Rebounder(s): Alana Smith Alana Smith 5'9" | SF Dupont Manual | 2024 State KY (8.7 RPG), London Sweeney London Sweeney 5'9" | PF duPont Manual | 2024 State KY (5.3 RPG)
- Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): Electra Lovely-Tolbert (41.7% – 3.3 per game)
- *Only 3 games reported, so stats above are based on those games only
Boyd County Lady Lions
- Team Record: 6-1
- Leading Scorer(s): Jasmine Jordan Jasmine Jordan 6'2" | C Boyd County | 2024 State KY (19.7 PPG), Audrey Biggs Audrey Biggs 6'0" | SF Boyd County | 2024 State KY (19.3 PPG)
- Leading Rebounder(s): Jasmine Jordan Jasmine Jordan 6'2" | C Boyd County | 2024 State KY (8.3 RPG), Audrey Biggs Audrey Biggs 6'0" | SF Boyd County | 2024 State KY (6.9 RPG)
- Leading 3-Point Shooter(s): Audrey Biggs Audrey Biggs 6'0" | SF Boyd County | 2024 State KY (32% – 1.1 per game), Jada Ray Jada Ray 5'3" | PG Boyd County | 2027 State KY (32% – 1.1 per game)
Game Preview: Manual has a whole different look this year after graduating multiple top players from last season’s roster. Ashlinn James Ashlinn James 5'9" | PG DuPont Manual | 2026 State KY is still adjusting to having to take over games more after playing a true PG role in the past, but she’s a star who will be ready. They have already been challenged with a tough overtime game this season, but this might be their toughest test yet. They have good quickness and athleticism, and they’ve had many players, like Alana Smith Alana Smith 5'9" | SF Dupont Manual | 2024 State KY and Electra Lovely-Tolbert, who have really step their game up this season in their new roles.
It’s going to be very difficult for any team to stop Boyd County’s duo of Jasmine Jordan Jasmine Jordan 6'2" | C Boyd County | 2024 State KY and Audrey Biggs Audrey Biggs 6'0" | SF Boyd County | 2024 State KY . Their lone loss came in the 1st game of the season to an out-of-state team and they’ve been on a roll ever since. Jordan had to step up in Biggs absence last season and she has continued dominating this season. Biggs had to adjust in her return from her knee injury, but she’s fully back and looks as good as ever. They have a very talented group around them as well, including defensive stoppers and scoring threats, so they have potential to go very far this season and it’ll be very interesting to see what they can do in this tournament.