HIGHLIGHTS

• JV teams will play 30 minutes before the varsity teams in two adjacent gyms against a competitive opponent
• Games will be two twenty minutes halves for a total of 40 minutes with the clock stopping on dead balls, free-throws, etc. (Note: due to KHSAA rules, the scoreboard will be erased at halftime)
• 15 free T-shirts for members of varsity squad
• Hospitality room for both varsity/junior varsity teams and staff members after the scrimmage
• MVP trophy awarded in each varsity scrimmage to a player for each team
• Plaque for coach
• Over 2,000 colleges nationwide will be informed of this event
• Coverage of this showcase in Rick Bolus' High Potential Basketball Recruiting Service newsletters that will go out to his college subscribers
• Internet coverage by Ron Harrison whose web site has well over 175,000 hits http://www.kyprephoops.com

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Carroll County

The Carroll County Lady Panthers are coached by Randy Mefford and finished 26-5 last season, playing in the very competitive 8th Region.  Although the team graduated five valuable seniors, the cupboard is not bare.  6-1 Jr. Whitney Ballinger averaged 12 ppg and 8 rpg last season and will be asked to carry more of the scoring load this season.  Ballinger can score both inside and out and is a good rebounder.  6-3 Sr. Lyndsey Bevill, a three year starter, is a force in the paint on both ends of the floor.  5-10 Sr. Allie Logan and 5-9 Sr. Alysha Harris move up from the JV squad and are expected to be key contributors.  5-8 Jr. Jacquelyn Lowe is expected to step up from her role as last year's sixth man.  Freshmen 5-6 Lindsay Wallace and 5-7 Keshia Henderson are also expected to contribute.

Pleasure Ridge Park

The Pleasure Ridge Park Lady Panthers finished 12-17 last season and Coach Mike Boemker takes over as head man this season after serving four years as the assistant varsity coach.  5-6 Sr. 2G Janay Jones averaged 11.7 ppg and 5.6 rpg last season.  5-10 Jr. forward Jessica Manning (8.4 ppg), 5-4 Sr. forward Stacey Flatt, 6-1 Sr. center Bobbie Wilson, and 5-8 So. forward Brittany Mitchell are also expected to be key contributors.  5-5 Jr. guard Jessica Glenn also returns this season after missing last season with an injury. 

South Laurel

Coach Konnie Snyder's South Laurel Lady Cardinals finished 23-11 last season.  South Laurel moves to the 13th Region this year and should continue their success.  5-11 Sr. forward Amber Neace averaged 12 ppg last season and is aggressive on defense.  5-6 Sr. guard Whitney Smith (6.0 ppg), 5-10 Jr. center Devon Burchette (4.0 ppg), and 5-10 So. Lauren Wombles (8.0 ppg) should start this season.  5-5 Jr. McKenzie McWhorter, 5-5 So. Johnna Sizemore, and 5-7 Fr. Porsha Justice are also expected to be key contributors.

Louisville Manual

Manual finished 17-14 last season and Coach Stacy Pendleton is excited about the Lady Crimsons' prospects this season.  6-2 Sr. Marissa Williams (9.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg) is an athletic post player who has a nice outside shot and the ability to block shots on defense.  5-11 So. forward Brittany Wilson (9.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg) averaged a double-double the last 15 games of the season.  Other members of a talented sophomore class include 5-5 guard Danielle Woodmore 5-10 guard/forward Libby Stout, 5-5 guard Alesha Johnson, and 5-5 guard Kennedy Barnes.  Other players expected to contribute include 5-9 Sr. forward Danielle Lee (will fuel the Lady Crimsons' pressure defense), 5-7 Jr. guard Ladajar Baker, and 5-6 guard Lakesha Perry.  Coach Pendleton should also get contributions from 6-0 Fr. center Avery Jones and 5-5 Fr. Denisha Harbison.

Louisville Butler

Coach Terri Keown's Bearettes finished 22-10 last season and have a lot of talent returning this season.  5-8 So. swingman Tia Gibbs averaged 18.5 ppg and 8.1 rpg last season.  5-3 Sr. point guard Nicole Holman averaged 13 ppg last season and is one of the best point guards in the state.  5-8 So. Brittany Harris is considered among the top players in the 6th region.  Sophs 5-9 Jordan Pearson, 5-6 Kara Pile, and 5-10 Fr. Tiara Hopper are also expected to be key contributors this season.

Sacred Heart Academy

Coach Donna Moir graduated nine seniors from last year's 24-5 team but there is still talent remaining on the roster.  6-2 Jr. Elizabeth Campbell averaged 6.7 ppg and 5.6 rpg last season.  Campbell is an excellent shooter and this could be a breakout year for her.  5-6 Lindsay Boling is the lone senior on the squad and will run the show this year.  6-1 Jr. wing player Caroline Klein is an excellent long-range shooter and could be the Valkyries' most improved player.  5-10 Jr. forward Katie Kopple is expected to fill the power forward slot and 5-6 So. Kathryn Denbow will play one of the guard positions.  Other players expected to contribute include 5-9 Jr. Sarah Miles, 5-8 Jr. Sarah Askins, 5-6 So. Whitney Ising, and 5-10 So. Liz Wasz.  5-9 So. Megan Moir, 5-9 So. Laura Hensler, and 5-7 So. Danielle Lavender are a talented trio who should add depth to the team.

Assumption

The Rockets finished 19-10 last season and Coaches Bob and Martha Todd return the talent to contend for state honors this season.  6-1 Sr. Amber Norton (who committed to play at Vanderbilt) averaged 18 ppg and 10 rpg last season.  6-1 Jr. Thia Gholson is a force in the middle and the Rockets should get solid perimeter play from 5-8 Sr. Liz Todd, 5-10 Sr. Kelly Mitchell, and 5-8 Jr. Eileen Kennedy.  Other players expected to contribute include 6-0 So. Carrie Minogue, 5-4 Jr. Katie Meyer, 5-4 Sr. Becca Tougher, 6-0 So. Lauren Huter, 5-9 Sr. Amy Crush, 5-6 Jr. Amanda Stovall, 5-8 So. Lauren Schmeing, 5-11 Jr. Kelsey Smith, and 6-3 Sr. Claire Noltemeyer.

Fairdale

Coach Larry Bruner's Lady Bulldogs finished 13-15 last season and return a lot of talent from that squad.  5-8 So. Ceira Ricketts averaged 18 ppg last season and can score either on penetration or on a mid to long range jumper.  Ricketts has started varsity since the 7th grade and has already scored over 1200 varsity points.  5-9 Jr. Whitney Briggs is also a dependable scorer.  Other players expected to contribute include 5-10 So. Nicole Mills, 5-5 So. Brittany Wieber, 5-4 So. Brooke Thompson, and 5-7 Fr. Kayla Thompson.

Central Hardin

Coach Terry Buckles' Central Hardin Lady Bruins finished 20-9 last season and should contend for the 5th region championship this season.  Coach Buckles' team returns everyone this year  The returning starters are 5-6 Sr. guard Lauren Flood (13.4 ppg), 5-6 So. guard Samantha Sheeran (12.8 ppg), 5-6 So. guard Kylie Brady (9.4 ppg), 5-8 Sr. post Tiffany Gilpin (9.0 ppg), and 5-8 Sr. post Deborah Linder.  Key reserves include 5-9 Jr. post Michelle Meiller (5.4 ppg), 5-5 Jr. guard Ericka Newton (2.7 ppg).

Shelby County

Coach Sally Zimmerman's Lady Rockets finished 24-4 last season and should contend for the 8th region championship this season.  5-8 Sr. Amanda Green can score inside or out and will lead the Lady Rockets this season.  5-8 Jr. Amber Morrison and 5-4 So. Raechelle Gray also return at the guard positions.  Other key ruturnees include 5-10 Sr. Tara Milburn, 5-9 Sr. Krystina Silverhorn, 6-0 Jr. Heather Axline, Jr. Ashley Ford and Sr. Ashley Gibbs.

RESULTS

Games consisted of two twenty minutes halves for a total of 40 minutes with the clock stopping on dead balls, free-throws, etc.  The scoreboard was erased at halftime per KHSAA rules.  I will, for the sake of clarity, give scores for both halves plus a combined score.  Any stats included are not official but were recorded by me personally.  Please understand that these are scrimmages and coaches are experimenting with substitution rotations and using this event as a teaching tool and to prepare for the upcoming season.  Please note that players' heights vary from program to program. 

Game No. 1    Carroll County vs. Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park

Pleasure Ridge Park captured both halves today, the first by a 35-27 margin, and the second half score was 44-25.  Pleasure Ridge Park held a 79-52 advantage in the combined score.  Janay Jones was named game MVP for Pleasure Ridge Park as she scored 25 points including six three point baskets, pulled down nine rebounds, and dished out eight assists.  Stacey Flatt added 11 points including three three point baskets.  Jacquelyn Lowe led Carroll County with 16 points including four three point baskets.  Carroll County game MVP Whitney Ballinger added 14 points and 16 rebounds.  Lyndsey Bevill chipped in with 10 points. 

Game No. 2    South Laurel vs. Louisville Manual

Manual captured the first half 47-30 behind the powerful inside presence of Brittany Wilson and Marissa Williams, but South Laurel rallied to capture the second half 35-32.  The combined score was 79-65 in favor of Manual.  The victors were led by game MVP Brittany Wilson with 29 points and 14 rebounds.  Marissa Williams added 22 points and 12 rebounds.  South Laurel was led by their game MVP Amber Neace with 27 points including 19 points in the second half.  Lauren Wombles added 14 points. 

Game No. 3    Louisville Butler vs. Sacred Heart Academy

Sacred Heart captured both halves today, the first by a 46-41 margin, and the second half score was 45-36.  Sacred Heart Academy held a 91-77 advantage in the combined score.  Sacred Heart held a 50%-38% advantage in field goal percentage and enjoyed a 56-39 edge in rebounds.  Sacred Heart game MVP Caroline Klein paced the victors with 24 points.  Elizabeth Campbell added 20 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.  Katie Kopple and Sarah Askins chipped in with 17 and 12 points respectively.  Butler game MVP Tia Gibbs scored 26 points and pulled down eight rebounds while Tiara Hopper added 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

Game No. 4    Assumption vs. Fairdale

Assumption utilized a dominating inside game to capture both halves today, taking the first half 41-20, and the second half 41-25.  The combined score was Assumption 82, Fairdale 45.  Assumption was led by game MVP Amber Norton with 27 points and 12 rebounds.  Thia Gholson added 19 points and 14 rebounds.  Fairdale game MVP Ceira Ricketts paced her team with 23 points.  5-9 Jr. Whitney Briggs added 10 points.

Game No. 5    Central Hardin vs. Shelby County

Central Hardin captured the first half 34-28 but Shelby County rallied to take the second half 39-29, giving Shelby County the combined score advantage of 67-63 over Central Hardin.  Shelby County was led tonight by their game MVP Raechelle Gray with 20 points including five three point baskets.  Amanda Green added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Amber Morrison added 10 points.  Central Hardin was led by Samantha Sheeran with 19 points including three three point baskets.  Central Hardin game MVP Lauren Flood added 16 points, and Kylie Brady chipped in with 14 points.

CONCLUSION

This was an excellent day of pre-season basketball, with JV teams playing in an adjoining gym, giving both squads a chance to get in the scrimmage time.  The coaches did an excellent job of using this event as a teaching tool.  There was some excellent talent on display today both veteran and underclassmen.

Although I have seen most of the veteran players perform before, and was once again impressed with their abilities, there are some new stars on the horizon.  Manual's 5-11 So. Brittany Wilson is a force in the paint, both scoring and rebounding.  6-1 Jr. Caroline Klein impressed today and will only get better for Coach Moir at Sacred Heart.  5-10 Fr. Tiara Hopper played at Iroquois last season but brings her talent and athleticism to Butler this season.

This event featured five of the Top 25 teams listed in the Courier Journal's pre-season preview in (#3) Assumption, (#5) Shelby County, (#9) Sacred Heart, (#17) Central Hardin, and (#21) Butler.  Four of the Top 25 players listed in the Courier Journal's pre-season preview played in this event.  The players were (#5) Amber Norton, (#11) Amanda Green, (#19) Tia Gibbs, and (#24) Amber Neace. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A special thanks to Rick Bolus and Larry Bruner for all their hard work in making this event work.  Also, a special thanks to Bob Tonini of Sacred Heart Academy for providing me with the computer stats for the Butler-Sacred Heart game.  I would highly recommend this event for any team looking for a quality pre-season event to prepare their team for the regular season.  Any coach wishing to inquire about next year's event may contact Rick Bolus at 502-543-7308 or by email at bolus@insightbb.com .