IMPORTANT NOTES

• Varsity and JV teams will play on the same day in two different gyms at the same site.  The JV game will begin one hour prior to the varsity game.
• Varsity 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)
• JV games will consist of two twenty minutes halves for a total of 40 minutes but the clock will be running continuously in order for JV players to join the varsity teams by varsity game tipoff time.
• 15 free T-shirts for members of varsity squad
• MVP award for a player for each team in varsity games only
• Gift for each varsity coach
• Hospitality room for both varsity/junior varsity teams and staff members
• 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 (pre and post game coverage) by Ron Harrison at http://www.kyprephoops.com

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Louisville Holy Cross

The Cougars finished 13-16 last season and won the 6th Region All "A".  Coach Bobby Ray stated that the team finished the season strong and hopes to continue to build with young talent this year.  5-11 Jr. Elizabeth Schuler is expected to lead the way and averaged 17 ppg and 10 rpg last season.  5-7 Jr. Megan Davis averaged 10 ppg, 8 rpg, and 5 apg last season.

Louisville Male

Coach Leslie Scully's Lady Bulldogs finished 14-12 last season but graduated eight seniors from that squad.  The team has some talent but very little experience.  The Lady Bulldogs have quickness, enthusiasm, and a good work ethic.  Coach Scully expects a major contribution from 5-8 Sr. Emily Beckman.  Beckman is an exciting player to watch, very quick, and an excellent rebounder for her size. 

Carroll County

Coach Randy Mefford's Carroll County Lady Panthers finished 15-13 last season.  They graduated 6-3 center Lyndsey Bevill but return 6-1 Sr. guard/forward Whitney Ballinger, who has committed to play her college hoops at Western Kentucky University.  Ballinger averaged 20.3 ppg and 10.8 rpg and recorded 17 double-doubles last season.  Other returning starters include 5-7 So. guard Keshia Henderson and 5-5 So. guard Lindsay Wallace.  5-8 Sr. guard Jacquelyn Lowe returns after missing most of last season with a torn ACL.  Other players expected to contribute include newcomer 5-5 Jr. guard Amber Girdy, 5-6 Fr. guard Marissa Brindley, 5-6 Fr. guard Sarah Osborne, and 5-7 Jr. center Brandy Marsh.  The team will try to push the ball and rely on defensive pressure to take advantage of their speed.

Louisville Fern Creek

Coach Michelle Fries' Lady Tigers finished 15-8 last season and return good talent this year.  6-1 Jr. Monique Reid averaged 23 ppg and 13 rpg last season.  5-8 Sherrice Gaines is another talented junior but is recovering from a recent knee surgery.  Several players expected to contribute include 5-10 Jr. SM Tiffany Moses (who started all 23 games last season), 6-0 Jr. forward Angelina Patrick, 5-10 Jr. forward Jenny Hibbs (a transfer from Seneca), 5-11 Sr. Samantha Polley, 5-10 Jr. Jasmine Webb, and 5-9 So. Aiicha Kelly.

Middlesboro

Coach Elgie Green's Lady Jackets finished 23-9 last season.  Middlesboro was originally picked to be among the better teams in the 13th Region but due to injuries and transfers the future is uncertain.  5-10 Jr. Brooklynn Jimison averaged 11.8 ppg and 5.5 rpg last season.  Jimison is very aggressive in the paint area but is learning to play the three guard spot.  5-5 So. point guard Sophie Robinson averaged 10.6 ppg last season but at the time of this preview it was reported she may have suffered a torn ACL.  If Robinson is out, expect 5-8 Fr. Mallory Shoffner, who has a great understanding of the game for her age, to start at point.  Other players expected to be key contributors include 5-5 Sr. guard Emily Osborne, who averaged 5.3 ppg and hit a school record seven three pointers in one game, 5-8 Sr. forward Amber Johnson, and 5-11 Jr. center Ashley Williams.  Due to injuries and transfers, other players will get the opportunity to step up.

Bullitt East

Coach Chris Stallings' Lady Chargers finished 18-10 competing in the tough 6th Region last season.  5-9 Jr. point guard Whitney Hanley is one of the top players in the area.  Other key contributors are expected to be 5-10 Jr. WF Kelly Harrod, 5-10 Sr. Jennifer Fletcher, 5-10 Sr. Kelli Thompson, 5-10 Jr. Kayla Phipps, and 5-10 Fr. Kayla Thacker.  The Lady Chargers suffered a blow when 5-5 Sr. guard Kathleen Thompson reinjured an ACL.  The Lady Chargers should be a good shooting team who will be strong on defense and will also benefit from some young talent.

Louisville Sacred Heart Academy

Coach Donna Moir's Sacred Heart Academy Valkyries finished 19-12 last season and enter the 7th Region wars this season with a talented veteran squad.  6-2 Sr. center Elizabeth Campbell averaged 16 ppg and 11 rpg last season and has extended her range to the three-point line.  6-1 Sr. wing player Caroline Klein creates matchup problems for opponents on both ends of the floor.  5-11 Sr. forward Katie Kopple runs the floor well and is capable of putting up big numbers.  5-9 Sr. forward Sarah Miles has an excellent mid-range shot and is a good rebounder.  5-8 Sr. guard Sarah Askin is a pure shooter, and the staff expects major contributions from 5-5 Jr. point guard Whitney Ising, and 5-6 Jr. Kathryn Denbow.  Other players expected to contribute include 5-9 Jr. Megan Moir, 5-10 Jr. Liz Wasz, and 5-8 Jr. Danielle Lavender.  Coach Moir has some promising young players in 5-8 So. Brandi Haney, 5-6 Fr. Katie Petrino, 5-6 Fr. Lindsay Gahm, and 5-6 Fr. Autumn Miller.  Although this is a talented, veteran team, some of the young players could challenge for quality minutes during the season.

Louisville Butler

Coach Terri Keown's Bearettes finished 24-8 last season and should challenge for the 6th Region title again this year.  The Bearettes will be led by one of the best players in the state in 5-8 Jr. Tia Gibbs, who averaged 19.5 ppg and 6.7 rpg last season.  5-10 So. Tiara Hopper is considered one of the best players in the region and averaged 9.7 ppg and 5.3 rpg last season.  5-6 Jr. Kara Pile averaged 6.7 ppg last season and shot 41% from three-point range.  5-11 Jr. Kayla Douglas averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.0 rpg last season.  The Bearettes have several other players on their roster capable of logging quality playing time this season.

Hart County

Coach Tommy Adams' Lady Raiders finished 21-11 last season and enter the 5th Region battles this season with a young but talented team.  Coach Adams will dress three juniors, two sophs, four freshmen, and three 7th graders at the varsity level.  Hart County will be led by two of the top players in the region in Megan Isaacs and Lindsay Highbaugh.  Isaacs, a 5-10 Jr., averaged 19.7 ppg and 13.7 rpg last season and is athletic enought to play anywhere on the floor.  Highbaugh is a 5-7 So. who is deadly from the three point line.  She recorded 90 3-pt goals last year.  Lindsay has improved her defense and will penetrate to the basket more this year.  This is a young team with a tough schedule that should improve throughout the season.

Louisville Mercy Academy

Coach Mark Evan's Jaguars finished 26-6 last season and is the defending 7th Region champions.  The Jaguars lost five key seniors, and two of their key juniors 5-10 guard Paige Kaelin and 5-11 forward Kelly Cox, are coming off ACL surgeries.  Despite all this and another brutal schedule, this team will develop into a region contender. Coach Evans will get key contributions from a number of players including 5-8 Sr. Shawna Culver, 5-9 Jr. Katie Wiedmar, 5-7 Jr. Lara Protenic, 6-1 Jr. Hope Thomas, 5-8 Jr. Amy Wimsatt, 5-7 Liz Allen, Kaelin and Cox. The Jaguars also have some good underclassmen that will challenge for playing time, including 5-6 So. Shelby McGuire, 5-8 So. Catherine Montano, 5-7 Fr. Malisa Cruz, 5-8 Fr. Therese Montano, and 5-9 Fr. Madison Hardy.  This team, albeit young, has talent and if they can rebound could mature into a very good team by tourney time.

Louisville Assumption

Coaches Bob and Martha Todd's Rockets finished 26-5 last season and graduated a group of talented seniors including 6-1 Vanderbilt signee Amber Norton.  The cupboard is hardly bare as they return 6-1 Sr. Thia Gholson who averaged 14 ppg and 12 rpg and is coming off a knee injury.  They also have an excellent guard combination in 5-8 Sr. Eileen Kennedy and 5-6 Sr. guard Amanda Stovall.  Assumption also has excellent size up front with Gholson, 6-1 Jr. Lauren Huter, 5-11 Sr. Kelsey Smith, and 6-0 Jr. Carrie Minogue.  Also expected to see varsity action are two promising freshmen, 6-2 center Lexi Krall and 6-1 guard/forward Molly Ernst.  Ernst has the reputation as a pure shooter.  Coach Todd is impressed with the team's quickness, defense, intensity, and team passing.  The coaching staff is also impressed with their spacing on offense and their movement without the ball.  The Rockets appear to have the weapons available to challenge for the title in the always competitive 7th Region.

Fairdale

Coach Larry Bruner's Lady Bulldogs finished 20-10 last season and return most of their firepower from last year.  5-9 Jr. guard Ceira Ricketts will enter her fifth year as a starting guard.  Ricketts has averaged 21.5 ppg since the 7th grade and has over 500 rebounds in her career.  5-10 Sr. forward Whitley Briggs is the only senior on the team and averaged 16.5 ppg and 8.1 rpg last season.  Briggs is also an excellent three point shoother.  Coach Bruner has several other players on the squad capable of making major contributions this season.

RESULTS

Games consisted of two twenty minutes halves for a total of forty 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    Louisville Holy Cross vs. Louisville Male

Male captured the first half 42-26 but Holy Cross utilized a pressing defense in the second half to capture the second half 50-37.  The combined score was 83-76 in favor of Male.  The victors were led by their game MVP 5-5 Jr. Jasmine Hamilton with 19 points.  Natasha Janes and Emily Beckman added 16 and 14 points respectively.  Holy Cross was led by their game MVP Elizabeth Schuler with 29 points including 16 free throws.  Megan Davis added 23 points. 

Game No. 2    Carroll County vs. Louisville Fern Creek

Fern Creek captured both halves today, the first by a 33-27 margin, and the second half score was 46-27.  Fern Creek held a 79-54 advantage in the combined score.  Monique Reid was named game MVP for Fern Creek as she scored 32 points and pulled down 18 rebounds.  Carroll County game MVP Whitney Ballinger recorded 25 points and 19 rebounds.  Ballinger also had several blocked shots.

Game No. 3    Middlesboro vs. Bullitt East

Bullitt East captured both halves today, the first by a 40-26 margin and the second half score was 54-35.  Bullitt East held a 94-61 advantage in the combined score.  Whitney Hanley was named game MVP for Bullitt East with 33 points.  Kelly Harrod added 16 points.  5-5 Sr. Kathleen Thompson, who put in a courageous performance today playing with an ACL injury, added 13 points including three three point baskets.  Middlesboro's game MVP Brooklynn Jimison led her team with 23 points.  Mallory Shoffner added 21 points including 13 free throws. 

Game No. 4    Sacred Heart Academy vs. Louisville Butler

Sacred Heart captured the first half 29-27 but Butler rallied to take the second half 33-23, giving Butler the combined score advantage of 60-52.  Butler was led by their game MVP Tia Gibbs with 26 points, nine rebounds, and 10 steals.  Tiara Hopper and Kara Pile added 11 and nine points respectively.  6-2 Sr. Elizabeth Campbell was named Sacred Heart game MVP and recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds. 

Game No. 5    Hart County vs. Louisville Mercy Academy

Mercy Academy captured the first half 38-27 but Hart County rallied to earn a 41-38 decision in the second half.  Mercy Academy held a 76-68 advantage in the combined score.  Shawna Culver was named game MVP for Mercy and led the team with 18 points Lara Protenic added 14 points including four three point baskets.  5-7 Fr. Malisa Cruz added 12 points.  Hart County was led tonight by their game MVP Megan Isaacs with 29 points and 20 rebounds.  Lindsay Highbaugh added 20 points including five three point baskets. 

Game No. 6    Assumption vs. Fairdale

Amanda Stovall hit a three point field goal in the closing seconds of the game to give Assumption a 69-67 advantage in the combined score.  Assumption captured the first half by a score of 36-24 but Fairdale rallied to capture the second half by a score of 43-33.  Stovall was named game MVP for Assumption and led her team with 18 points.  6-0 Jr. Carrie Minogue and Thia Gholson added 11 and 10 points respectively.  Ceira Ricketts was named game MVP for Fairdale and led her team with 41 points.  Ricketts connected on three three point baskets and scored on an assortment of drives to the basket. 

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 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.

There were some excellent individual performances today and several teams introduced us to some young players who will be future stars.  Elizabeth Schuler and Megan Davis (Holy Cross), Jasmine Hamilton (Male), Monique Reid (Fern Creek), Whitney Ballinger (Carroll County), Brooklynn Jimison and Mallory Shoffner (Middlesboro), Whitney Hanley (Bullitt East), Elizabeth Campbell (Sacred Heart), Tia Gibbs (Butler), Megan Isaacs and Lindsay Highbaugh (Hart County), Shawna Culver (Mercy Academy), Amanda Stovall (Assumption), and Ceira Ricketts (Fairdale) all had excellent individual performances today.

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 and some of the other stats people who provided me with much useful info.  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 .  

Team capsules and game results are ©2006 by Ron Harrison. 
Please direct your comments to Ron Harrison at prephoops@yahoo.com.