2023-24 Kentucky Girls Basketball Preview

Scott SIvills has McCracken Co. back in a familiar spot atop Region 1. (Photo: The Paducah Sun)

Region 1

McCracken Co. (35-3)
Graves Co. (25-8)
Marshall Co. (19-15)
Carlisle Co. (19-11)
Mayfield (18-11)
Calloway Co. (8-18)
Fulton Co. (11-10)
Ballard Memorial (15-14)
Christian Fellowship (22-11)
Paducah Tilgham (13-11)
Murray (11-17)
Hickman Co. (9-15)
St. Mary (7-21)
Fulton City (5-17)
Community Christian (3-25)

Can Claire Johnson maintain the level of success McCracken has seen of late? (Photo:Lexington Herald-Leader)

1st Region Pre-Season Team
Claire Johnson, McCracken Co.
Kiera Whitaker, Carlisle Co.
Sayler Lowe, Calloway Co.
Mikee Buchanan, McCracken Co.
Morgan Alexander, Graves Co.

Player of the Year - Claire Johnson, McCracken Co.
Coach of the Year - Kirsten Collins, Calloway Co.

Destiny Whitsell and Madisonville hope to hold off a growing Christian Co. squad (Photo: The Gleaner)

2nd Region

Madisonville (19-12)
Christian Co. (16-14)
Hopkinsville (8-15)
Crittenden Co. (25-6)
Livingston Central (12-19)
Lyon Co. (12-16)
Webster Co. (10-21)
Henderson Co. (28-5)
Caldwell Co. (9-21)
UHA (5-23)
Union Co. (18-11)
Dawson Springs (7-21)
Trigg Co. (10-17)
Hopkins Co. Central (24-9)
Heritage Christian (4-6)
Fort Campbell (2-20)

The future is very bright for Christian Co.'s Anaysia Bagwell. (Photo:Kentucky New Era)

2nd Region Pre-Season Team
   Destiny Whitsell, Madisonville
   Anaysia Bagwell, Christian Co.
   Kahtahviah Fleming, Hopkinsville
   Shiyah Forte, Hopkinsville
   Victoria Joiner, Livingston Central

Player of the Year - Anyasia Bagwell, Christian Co.
Coach of the Year - Keith Leslie, Hopkinsville

3rd Region

Owensboro Catholic (26-10)
Meade Co. (22-10)
Owensboro (21-11)
Breckinridge Co. (25-8)
Daviess Co. (14-17)
Muhlenburg Co. (19-11)
Hancock Co. (18-12)
Edmonson Co. 22-8)
Apollo (8-22)
Grayson Co. (11-17)
McLean Co. (7-23)
Whitesville Trinity (3-25)
Ohio Co. (7-20)
Butler Co. (19-11)
Cloverport (0-24)

Peyton Bradley will be the main draw in many Region 3 gyms this season and next. (Photo:Your Sports Edge)

3rd Region Pre-Season Team
Peyton Bradley, Meade Co.
A’Lyrica Hughes, Owensboro
Hailee Johnson, Owensboro Catholic
Kennedy Lane, Daviess Co.
Brooklyn Stewart, Muhlenburg Co.
Cariann Williams, Edmonson Co.

Player of the Year - Peyton Bradley, Meade Co.
Coach of the Year - Natalie Payne, Daviess Co.

Abby Varney hopes to lead Barren County out of the 4th Region in what is the most open it's been in years. (Photo: Sporting Times)

4th Region

Barren Co. (28-7)
Metcalfe Co. (20-10)
Franklin Simpson (17-10)
Greenwood (15-17)
South Warren (17-14)
Bowling Green (24-11)

Clinton Co. (14-19)
Allen Co. Scottsville (12-13)
Cumberland Co. (21-10)
Todd Co. Central (13-13)
Logan Co. (18-14)
Russellville (16-15)
Warren Central (5-25)
Glasgow (14-16)
Russell Co. (7-23)
Monroe Co. (14-13)
Warrant East (7-22)

Greenwood's Leia Trinh is often times overlooked but is one of the state's best kept secrets if you will call her that.

4th Region Pre-Season Team
Leia Trinh, Greenwood
Abby Varney, Barren Co.
Lareesha Cawthorne, Franklin Simpson
Kassady London, Metcalfe Co.
McLaine Hudson, South Warren

Player of the Year - Leia Trinh, Greenwood
Coach of the Year - Terrance Williams, Greenwood

When Leah Macy made the jump from Mercy Bethlehem rose into a team looking to take down Sacred Heart alongside George Rogers Clark. (Photo: WDRB)

5th Region

Bethlehem (28-8)
Taylor Co. (27-7)
North Hardin (19-13)
Hart Co. (19-12)
Adair Co. (10-22)
Elizabethtown (13-19)
Green Co. (16-13)
John Hardin (13-15)
Central Hardin (11-14)
Thomas Nelson (13-16)
Nelson Co. (17-11)
Bardstown (14-17)
Marion Co. (9-16)
Fort Knox (9-20)
Campbellsville (10-21)
Washington Co. (13-16)
LaRue Co. (23-8)
North Hardin Classical (4-13)
Caverna (3-23)

Dea Bradley will once again be one of the top scorers in the state.

5th Region Pre-Season Team
Leah Macy, Bethlehem
Dea Bradley, Hart Co.
Carlie Thurmond, Bethlehem
Grace Bale, Taylor Co.
Paityn Isom, North Hardin

Player of the Year - Leah Macy, Bethlehem
Coach of the Year - Stacia Hill, Adair Co.

6th Region

Butler (13-13)
North Bullitt (19-14)
Whitefield Academy (23-8)
PRP (18-13)
Bulltt East (22-11)
Valley (19-10)
Western (15-10)
Mercy (25-10)
Moore (11-13)
Fairdale (9-22)
Cov. Holy Cross (14-19)
Beth Haven (12-17)
Southern (6-24)
Bullitt Central (25-9)
Fern Creek (10-15)
Jeffersontown (4-12)
Iroquois (2-22)
Doss (1-19)

Ramiya White stands at 6'5 but will also catch a lot of eyes across the state as she's committed to Kentucky. (Photo: Courier Journal)

6th Region Pre-Season Team
Ramiya White, Butler
Mariah Knight, Butler
Jeannae Bolin, PRP
Anna Rodgers, Bullitt East
Kylie Downey, North Bullitt

Candyce Wheeler brings her game back to Louisville this time on the sidelines of Butler. (Photo: Courier Journal)

Player of the Year - Ramiya White, Butler
Coach of the Year - Candyce Wheeler, Butler

ZaKiyah Johnson and Sacred Heart don't seem to be going away anytime soon.

7th Region

Sacred Heart (36-3)
CAL (20-10)
Central (21-13)
Manual (28-3)
Assumption (22-10)
Shawnee (18-9)
Collegiate (12-14)
Ballard (9-22)
Atherton (10-12)
Seneca (8-16)
Portland Christian (20-6)
Male (16-13)
Presentation (7-22)
Waggener (3-27)
Kentucky Country Day (4-13)
Highlands Latin (11-14)
Brown (15-10)
Eastern (4-24)
Francis Parker (0-4)

7th Region Pre-Season Team
ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heart
Destiny Jones, Central
Reagan Bender, Sacred Heart
Brianna Wilkins, CAL
Ashlinn James, Manual
Angelina Pelayo, Sacre Heart

Player of the Year - ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heart
Coach of the Year - Caryn Kovatch, Assumption
Ashley Franklin, Manual

8th Region

Anderson Co. (26-7)
South Oldham (19-9)
Simon Kenton (19-15)
North Oldham (18-14)
Owen Co. (20-11)
Spencer Co. (24-9)
Gallatin Co. (14-13)
Oldham Co. (14-15)
Grant Co. (20-11)
Walton Verona (16-14)
Collins (9-22)
Carroll Co. (14-19)
Shelby Co. (15-13)
Trimble Co. (10-20)
Williamstown (3-18)
Eminence (4-21)
Woodford Co. (2-25)
Henry Co. (10-20)

Lainey Johnson and Co. will have their hands full with South Oldham and a promising Simon Kenton team. (Photo: The Anderson News)

8th Region Pre-Season Team
Lainey Johnson, Anderson Co.
Ella Morrison, South Oldham
Jenna Saterly, Anderson Co.
Madison Young, South Oldham
Whitley Biddle, Gallatin Co.

Player of the Year - Lainey Johnson, Anderson Co.
Coach of the Year - Brenden Stowers, Simon Kenton

Ryle and Quinn Eubank could be one of those teams that surprise folks and makes a run at a state title. (Photo: Link NKY)

9th Region

Ryle (24-9)
Cooper (29-4)
Highlands (23-9)
Cov. Holy Cross (26-8)
Conner (18-8)
Newport Central Catholic (17-11)
St. Henry (18-13)
Newport (11-15)
Lloyd Memorial (13-17)
Bellevue (18-14)
Notre Dame (19-11)
Ludlow (16-16)
Beechwood (14-14)
Dixie Heights (25-8)
Dayton (8-23)
Holmes (4-22)
Boone Co. (7-22)
Villa Madonna (4-26)

Liz Freihofer is ready to lead Cooper into the post Whitney Lind era. (Photo: NKY Tribune)

9th Region Pre-Season Team
Quinn Eubank, Ryle
Liz Freihofer, Cooper
Anna Hamilton, Conner
Julia Hunt, Holy Cross
Caroline Eaglin, Newport Central Catholic
Marissa Green, Highlands

Player of the Year - Quinn Eubank, Ryle
Coach of the Year - Katie Haitz, Ryle

Robbie Graham has George Rogers Clark positioned for a long run atop the 10th. (Photo: GRC Smoke Signals)

10th Region

George Rogers Clark (28-8)
Montgomery Co. (22-13)
Bracken Co. (19-14)
Bishop Brossart (22-12)
Augusta (13-15)
Bourbon Co. (10-17)
Campbell Co. (10-20)
Nicholas Co. (15-16)
Pendleton Co. (21-8)
Robertson Co. (6-23)
Paris (19-9)
Mason Co. (11-18)
St. Patrick (16-16)
Scott (15-16)
Harrison Co. (7-23)

10th Region Pre-Season Team
Ciara Byars, George Rogers Clark
Hayden Barrier, Montgomery Co.
Teigh Yeast, George Rogers Clark
Kennedy Stamper, George Rogers Clark
Nicole Archibald, Bracken Co.

Player of the Year - Ciara Byars, George Rogers Clark
Coach of the Year - Todd Kelsch, Augusta

Ayanna-Sarai Darrington and Frederick Douglass hope to be cutting down more nets come March this season. (Photo: Lexington Herald)

11th Region

Frederick Douglass (24-9)
Franklin Co. (26-8)
Madison Southern (18-15)
Henry Clay (18-11)
Lexington Christian (13-17)
Bryan Station (14-18)
Scott Co. (9-19)
Madison Central (22-7)
Berea (15-15)
Frankfort (12-18)
Tates Creek (17-14)
Lafayette (15-14)
Great Crossing (19-14)
Lexington Catholic (19-11)
Western Hills (16-15)
Dunbar (4-24)
Model (8-13)
Sayre (15-16)

11th Region Pre-Season Team
Niah Rhodes, Frederick Douglass
Bailey Hensley, Madison Southern
Ayanna-Sarai Darrington, Frederick Douglass
Rachel Shropshire, Franklin Co.
Hadley French, Madison Southern
Juliana Frazee, Franklin Co.

Player of the Year - Niah Rhodes, Frederick Douglass
Coach of the Year - Josh Curtis, Madison Southern

12th Region

Southwestern (20-13)
Pulaski Co. (26-7)
Danville Christian (20-7)
Mercer Co. (21-14)
Rockcastle Co. (20-9)
West Jessamine (13-17)
McCreary Central (17-16)
Boyle Co. (14-16)
Danville (30-3)
Lincoln Co. (11-18)
Burgin (13-17)
Garrard Co. (3-25)
East Jessamine (3-22)
Wayne Co. (15-16)
Casey Co. (14-17)
Somerset (19-13)

12th Region Pre-Season Team
   Sydney Martin, Pulaski Co.
   Grace Mbugua, Danville Christian
Kinsley Molden, Southwestern
   Anna Drakeford, Mercer Co.
   Payton Acey, Southwestern

Player of the Year - Sydney Martin, Pulaski Co.
Coach of the Year - Hayley Spivey, Mercer Co.

13th Region

Corbin (22-10)
North Laurel (30-7)
Knox Central (23-6)
Bell Co. (23-10)
Jackson Co. (20-12)
Pineville (22-9)
South Laurel (19-15)
Harlan (11-18)
Harlan Co. (22-10)
Whitley Co. (10-18)
Williamsburg (11-20)
Middlesboro (5-24)
Clay Co. (12-19)
Barbourville (4-20)
Lynn Camp (6-25)
Oneida Baptist (3-22)

Halle Collins is one of the most lethal offensive players in the state. (Photo: Larry Collins)

13th Region Pre-Season Team
Halle Collins, Knox Central
Brooke Nichelson, North Laurel
Kallie Housley, Corbin
Gracie Jo Wilder, Bell Co.
Abby Gilbert, Jackson Co.

Player of the Year - Halle Collins, Knox Central
Coach of the Year - Mackenzie Varner, Harlan

Can Carly Smith and Owsley Co. climb to the top of the mountain, or will we see a familiar foe?

14th Region

Owsley Co. (23-9)
Perry Central (17-11)
Knott Central (23-10)
Letcher Central (18-17)
Estill Co. (13-20)
Wolfe Co. (22-10)
Powell Co. (14-15)
Hazard (16-15)
Jenkins (11-15)
Breathitt Co. (9-21)
Leslie Co. (21-9)
Lee Co. (8-23)
June Buchanan (11-19)
Buckhorn (15-15)
Jackson City (1-21)
Cordia (7-12)

Perry County Central and Emmalee Neace hope to show Owsley and the others they're still the queens of the 14th.

14th Region Pre-Season Team
Carly Smith, Owsley Co.
Keira Couch, Letcher Central
Emmalee Neace, Perry Central
Kylie Gayheart, Knott Central
Mikyra Caudill, Powell Co.

Player of the Year - Carly Smith, Owsley Co.
Coach of the Year - Keith Baker, Letcher Central

Looking for Kristy Orem and Pikeville look up, they're usually found at or near the top. (Photo: The Daily Independent)

15th Region

Pikeville (28-6)
Martin Co. (26-6)
Johnson Central (21-7)
Paintsville (19-12)
Lawrence Co. (30-6)
Belfry (17-14)
Pike Central (16-15)
Magoffin Co. (10-19)
Prestonsburg (12-18)
Phelps (16-14)
Floyd Central (19-11)
Shelby Valley (9-21)
Betsy Layne (7-21)
East Ridge (3-27)

Get to a gym and watch Laken Williams and Martin County, as they're sure to put on a show. (Photo: The Mountain Citizen)

15th Region Pre-Season Team
Trinity Rowe, Pikeville
Kyera Thornsbury, Pikeville
Laken Williams, Martin Co.
Kylie Kinner, Paintsville
Emilea Preace, Paintsville

Player of the Year - Trinity Rowe, Pikeville
Coach of the Year - Les Trimble, Paintsville

The battle for the 16th should flow through the city of Ashland, and Kenleigh Woods and the Kittens will have a lot to say about it. (Photo: The Times Tribune)

16th Region

Boyd Co. (21-10)
Ashland Blazer (26-8)
Russell (22-12)
Fleming Co. (15-17)
Bath Co. (15-13)
Morgan Co. (18-16)
Menifee Co. (16-14)
Elliott Co. (10-19)
Rowan Co. (24-8)
East Carter (10-18)
Lewis Co. (22-10)
Raceland (7-24)
Greenup Co. (15-13)
West Carter (6-25)
Fairview (8-22)

16th Region Pre-Season Team
Shaelyn Steele, Russell
Kenleigh Woods, Ashland Blazer
Audrey Biggs, Boyd Co.
Jasmine Jordan, Boyd Co.
Ella Sellars, Ashland Blazer
Ashtyn Barrett, Bath Co.

Player of the Year - Shaelyn Steele, Russell
Coach of the Year - Brad Cox, Fleming Co.