IMPORTANT NOTES

• Varsity and JV teams will play on two adjacent courts at the Basketball Academy.  The JV game will start one hour before the varsity game begins and consist of two twenty minute halves (running time). This will allow JV players time to participate in the entire varsity game.
• Varsity games will be two twenty minute halves for a total of 40 minutes with the clock stopping on dead balls, free-throws, etc.
• Due to KHSAA rules, the scoreboard will be erased at halftime.
• MVP award for a player on each team in varsity games.
• 15 T-shirts for each varsity team and a gift for the head coach.
• The Basketball Academy will provide basketballs.
• Internet coverage (pre and post game coverage) by Ron Harrison at http://www.kyprephoops.com

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Bullitt East

Coach Chris Stallings' Lady Chargers finished 21-11 last season competing in the tough 6th Region.  The Lady Chargers graduated two of their best players, 5-9 Whitney Hanley who signed with Austin Peay, and 5-10 Kelly Harrod who signed with Spalding.  5-10 Jr. Kayla Thacker is a versatile player who scores off the dribble or with her jump shot.  5-8 Sr. Chelsey Smith is another versatile performer who will be among the better players in the region.  5-11 Shelby Romine can either play the power forward or center position.  5-6 So. Jessica Philpott moves up to the varsity and can score, handle, and defend. 

Paris

Coach Terence Brooks' Lady Hounds finished 17-10 last season and represented the 10th Region last year with a runner-up finish in the All "A" Classic.  Coach Brooks graduated five key seniors from last year's squad including four starters.  The Lady Hounds will be led by 5-9 Sr. Emily Hinkson who averaged 13 ppg and 9 rpg.  5-5 Sr. Talaken Myers will be the defensive sparkplug.  Other returning players include 5-8 So. Morgan Crain, 5-5 Jr. Kendall Cassity, and 5-4 Jr. Alex Rankin. 

Iroquois

Coach Al Northington's Lady Raiders finished 27-4 last season and not only will be a favorite to win the 6th Region but also be considered one of the very best teams in the state.  They return four players considered to be among the best in the region.  5-9 Sr. Adia Mathies scores both inside and out and will be one of the favorites for Miss Basketball.  5-5 Sr. Asia Mathies is a fierce competitor who directs the offense.  5-6 Sr. Kayla Hickman excels in transition, understands the game, and has a good shot.  5-8 Jr. Victoria Brown is an athletic frontliner who gets results in the paint.  5-6 Sr. Stafonia Taylor is another talented returning starter. 

Highlands

Coach Jaime Walz Richey's Bluebirds finished 21-10 last season and will be one of the favorites to capture the 9th Region title this season.  The Bluebirds should have a very deep, experienced squad this season with the ability to play uptempo and score in transition. 

5-8 Jr. guard Katie Allen can play either guard position and averaged 10.7 ppg and 4.3 apg last season.  6-0 Jr. Bekah Towles is a solid post player who averaged 10.3 ppg and 5.8 rpg.  5-9 Sr. Mallory Adler is a speedy athletic guard who had a big summer.  5-8 Sr. Sam Messmer is an excellent defender and a vocal leader.  5-7 Sr. guard Natalie Horner is the team's best three point shooter.  5-6 So. Allie Conner was coming on strong last season before a late season injury. 

Christian Academy of Louisville

Coach Don Rice's Lady Centurions finished 17-12 last season, but had a great summer and should challenge for the 7th Region title this season.  The Lady Centurions are quick and are very strong on the defensive end.  6-2 Jr. Antonita Slaughter has worked hard on her overall game and has tremendous range on her jump shot.  5-10 Sr. Clair Buchanan is a good defender and scores off her jump shot.  5-10 Jr. Allison Karst is expected to be a key contributor in the backcourt. 

Owensboro Catholic

Coach Ray Zuberer's Lady Aces finished 22-9 last season and should contend for the 3rd Region title this season.  The Lady Aces should have a very deep, experienced squad this season with the ability to play uptempo and score in transition.  5-8 Sr. Rachel Greenwell (14.7 ppg) is a multi-skilled individual with good range on her jump shot.  5-8 Sr. Hannah Gerteisen (8.2 ppg) is a solid defender and scorer.  5-10 8th grader Becca Greenwell (6.9 ppg) is expected to have a break-out season this year.  5-10 Sr. forward Jessica Goetz (4.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and 5-6 Jr. forward Kaley Robertson (6.7 ppg) will also start for Owensboro Catholic this year. 

DuPont Manual

Coach Stacy Pendleton's Lady Crimsons finished 30-6 last season and graduated four key players.  Despite the losses including 5-6 Sr. guard Jordan Trimble opting to not play basketball this season after deciding to concentrate on softball, this team is loaded.  They are long, athletic, quick, and work extremely hard. 

6-1 Sr. center Avery Jones averaged 12.7 ppg and 7.8 rpg last season.  6-2 Jr. Zakiyah Martin and 6-2 Jr. Brittney Turner have unlimited potential.  5-10 So. Mechael Guess is agile and athletic.  5-7 Sr. Janie Klein and 5-5 Sr. Denisha Harbison are expected to log quality minutes.  Other players competing for playing time include 5-8 So. Nicole Lauterbach, 5-8 So. Taylor Zuberer, Raven Hester, and Lorraine Carner.  5-10 Sr. forward Jordaun Brooks returns after sitting out her junior year. 

The Lady Crimsons also have four incoming freshmen who appear to be poised for future stardom.  5-10 guard Kara Wright (slasher and scorer), April Wilson (point guard with great court awareness), LeAsia Wright (quick point guard with good pull-up jumper), and Lauren Bodine (deadly 3-point shooter) should all provide help this year. 

Hart County

Coach Tommy Adams' Lady Raiders finished 21-12 last season playing in the very competitive 5th Region.  5-9 Sr. Lindsay Highbaugh averaged 13 ppg and is a deadly three point shooter.  5-11 Fr. center Lindsey Burd averaged 7.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg.  5-7 Fr. Lexee Wilson is a point guard who will help provide leadership.  Coach Adams expects to see the team improve as the season progresses and expects to utilize a deep rotation.  The Lady Raiders intend to be very aggressive on defense and create offense by their defense.

Butler

Coach Eddy Wilson's Bearettes finished 33-5 last season and captured the 6th Region title and the state championship.  Butler graduated six seniors including Miss Basketball Tia Gibbs.  Even with the losses, the Bearettes return several players who contributed quality minutes in the championship run last season. 

5-11 Sr. center/forward Tiara Hopper is an athletic frontliner who gets it done in the paint.  Other players expected to be key contributors are 5-6 Sr. Shontel Bates, 5-7 Jr. Whitney Reed, 5-8 So. Megan Cuerton, and 5-5 So. Heather Wheat. 

Sacred Heart Academy

Coach Donna Moir's Valkyries finished 18-13 last season and once again will be one of the best teams in the 7th Region.  Sacred Heart graduated five seniors but they have talent returning this season. 

5-6 Jr. Autumn Miller is a very athletic guard who has good range on her jump shot.  Several other players including 5-5 So. Maddie Peabody, 5-11 So. Morgan Clemons, and 5-11 Jr. Jackie Hafele are expected to be key contributors. 

Mercy Academy

Coach Mark Evans' Mercy Jaguars finished 19-14 last season and if the Jaguars can get healthy and stay healthy could challenge for the 7th Region championship this season. 

5-10 Jr. Madison Hardy and 5-9 Sr. Catherine Montano are valuable frontliners recovering from injuries but should be ready by early to midseason.  The Jaguars have an excellent group of guards including 5-9 Jr. Therese Montano, 5-8 Jr. Ellen Sholtes 5-8 Jr. Malisa Cruz, 5-8 So.Juliann Miller, and 5-5 So.Lauren Faris.  The group is experienced, quick, and talented.  Therese Montano is one of the best guards in the state when healthy. 

Nelson County

Coach Kelly Wood's Lady Cardinals finished 17-15 last season and are expected to be one of the best teams in the 5th Region.  Nelson County only graduated two seniors and return a lot of talent. 

6-3 Jr. Samantha Drake runs the floor extremely well and is difficult to defend in the paint.  5-5 Sr. Sarah Beth Gillis is an excellent floor general and has three point range.  5-10 Sr. Sarah Beth Hutchins is another seasoned performer and the Lady Cardinals should get quality time from several juniors who gained experience last season. 

RESULTS

I will, for the sake of clarity, give scores for four quarters, both halves, and the combined score depending on how the individual game was portioned.   Any stats included are not official, but for the most part recorded by me personally.   I don't put a lot of stock in scrimmage scores as each coach approaches the scrimmages with different goals.   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.   Also, since the games are divided into quarters/halves with the score being erased after each period, the coaches treat each period as a new game for teaching purposes.  

In today's scrimmages, Bullitt East, Paris, Iroquois, and Highlands will play split scrimmages.   They will each play two opponents but will only play one half against each team.   The other teams will play standard scrimmages against a single opponent.  

Bullitt East vs. Paris

Bullitt East Coach Chris Stallings started the following lineup:  5-9 Jr. Kayla Thacker, 5-10 Jr. Shelby Romine, 5-8 Jr. Jackie Stevens, 5-7 Sr. Jaime Simpson, and 5-7 Sr. Kelly Cunningham.  Paris Coach Terence Brooks countered with 5-8 Sr. Emily Hinkson, 5-7 So. Tori Harris, 5-7 So. Morgan Crain, 5-2 Jr. Alex Rankin, and 5-5 Sr. Talaken Myers. 

Bullitt East defeated Paris by a score of 36-19.  

Jackie Stevens and Kayla Thacker led the victors with 12 and seven points respectively.   Talaken Myers and Emily Hinkson led Paris with seven and six points respectively.  

Iroquois vs. Highlands

Iroquois Coach Al Northington started the following lineup:  5-6 So. Asiah Kindle, 5-8 Sr. Danisha Scott, 5-8 Jr. Victoria Brown, 5-6 So. Brittanie Glasser, and 5-6 Sr. Stafonia Taylor.  Highlands Coach Jaime Richey countered with 5-8 Sr. Sam Messmer, 5-7 Sr. Natalie Horner, 6-0 Jr. Bekah Towles, 5-6 So. Allie Conner, and 5-8 Jr. Katie Allen. 

Highlands defeated Iroquois by a score of 59-37.  

Bekah Towles led the victors with 17 points.  Victoria Brown and Stafonia Taylor led Iroquois with 19 and 13 points respectively.  

Bullitt East vs. Highlands

Bullitt East Coach Chris Stallings started the following lineup:  5-9 Jr. Kayla Thacker, 5-10 Jr. Shelby Romine, 5-8 Jr. Jackie Stevens, 5-7 Sr. Jaime Simpson, and 5-7 Sr. Kelly Cunningham.  Highlands Coach Jaime Richey countered with 5-8 Sr. Sam Messmer, 5-7 Sr. Natalie Horner, 6-0 Jr. Bekah Towles, 5-6 So. Allie Conner, and 5-8 Jr. Katie Allen. 

Bullitt East defeated Highlands 36-33.  

Kayla Thacker and Shelby Romine led the victors with 15 and nine points respectively.   Thacker connected on two three point baskets.  Katie Allen and Allie Conner led Highlands with 13 and six points respectively.  

Iroquois vs. Paris

Iroquois Coach Al Northington started the following lineup:  5-6 So. Asiah Kindle, 5-8 Sr. Danisha Scott, 5-8 Jr. Victoria Brown, 5-6 So. Brittanie Glasser, and 5-6 Sr. Stafonia Taylor.  Paris Coach Terence Brooks countered with 5-8 Sr. Emily Hinkson, 5-7 So. Tori Harris, 5-7 So. Morgan Crain, 5-2 Jr. Alex Rankin, and 5-5 Sr. Talaken Myers. 

Paris defeated Iroquois 28-20.  

Tori Harris and Emily Hinkson led Paris with eight and six points respectively.   Victoria Brown led Iroquois with 10 points. 

The respective team MVPs for the split-scrimmages were Kayla Thacker (Bullitt East), Talaken Myers (Paris), Stafonia Taylor (Iroquois), and Katie Allen (Highlands).

Christian Academy of Louisville vs. Owensboro Catholic

CAL Coach Don Rice started the following lineup:  5-11 Jr. Anna Hart, 5-11 Sr. Hannah Bowman, 6-2 Jr. Antonita Slaughter, 5-6 Sr. Jenn Woods, and 5-10 Sr. Clair Buchanan.  Owensboro Catholic Coach Ray Zuberer countered with 5-6 Jr. Kaley Robertson, 5-10 Sr. Jessica Goetz, 5-10 8th Becca Greenwell, 5-8 Sr. Hannah Gerteisen, and 5-8 Sr. Rachel Greenwell. 

The scoreboard indicated that Christian Academy of Louisville held a 72-71 advantage over Owensboro Catholic in the combined scores.  

Antonita Slaughter was named Game MVP for CAL and led the Lady Centurions with 18 points.  Clair Buchanan and Hannah Bowman recorded 14 points each.  Buchanan and Slaughter recorded three and two three point baskets respectively.   Hannah Gerteisen and Becca Greenwell led Owensboro Catholic with 17 points each.  Hannah Gerteisen was named Game MVP for the Lady Aces

duPont Manual vs. Hart County

Manual Coach Stacy Pendleton started the following lineup:  5-10 Fr. Kara Wright, 6-2 Jr. Brittney Turner, 6-1 Sr. Avery Jones, 5-6 Sr. Janie Klein, and 5-4 Sr. Denisha Harbison.  Hart County Coach Tommy Adams countered with 5-9 Sr. Lindsay Highbaugh, 5-5 Jr. Katara Reynolds, 5-11 Fr. Lindsey Burd, 5-5 Jr. Savannah Trent, and 5-6 Fr. Lexee Wilson. 

Manual held a combined score advantage of 96-54 over Hart County.  

6-2 Jr. Zhakiyah Martin led Manual with 16 points.  Brittney Turner was named Game MVP for Manual and added 12 points.  Kara Wright also recorded double figures with 11 points.  Lindsay Highbaugh led Hart County with 15 points.  Lindsey Burd was named Game MVP for Hart County and added 14 points. 

Butler vs. Sacred Heart Academy

Butler Coach Eddy Wilson started the following lineup:  5-7 Jr. Whitney Reed, 5-8 So. Megan Cuerton, 5-11 Sr. Tiara Hopper, 5-6 Sr. Shontel Bates, and 5-5 So. Heather Wheat.  Sacred Heart Coach Donna Moir countered with 5-10 So. Monica McGreal, 5-9 Jr. Mary Gordon Stough, 5-11 So. Morgan Clemons, 5-4 So. Maddie Peabody, and 5-6 Jr. Autumn Miller. 

Butler held a 90-85 combined score advantage over Sacred Heart.   It was a game of halves as Butler held a 55-30 advantage at halftime but Sacred Heart held a 55-35 advantage in the second half.  

Megan Cuerton led Butler with 24 points.  Tiara Hopper added 18 points.  Whitney Reed was named Game MVP for Butler and recorded 15 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, and eight steals.  Heather Wheat also tallied 15 points.  Autumn Miller was named Game MVP for Sacred Heart and led the Valkyries with 26 points including five three point baskets.  Maddie Peabody added 16 points.  Morgan Clemons recorded 10 points and 14 rebounds. 

Mercy Academy vs. Nelson County

Mercy Academy Coach Mark Evans started the following lineup:  5-8 Jr. Malisa Cruz, 5-9 Sr. Catherine Montano, 5-8 Jr. Ellen Sholtes, 5-5 So. Lauren Faris, and 5-9 Jr. Therese Montano.  Nelson County Coach Kelly Wood countered with 5-10 Sr. Sarah Beth Hutchins, 5-5 Jr. Emily Hogan, 6-3 Jr. Samantha Drake, 5-8 Jr. Lacy Hagan, and 5-5 Sr. Sarah Beth Gillis. 

Nelson County held a combined score advantage of 83-71 over Mercy Academy.  

Samantha Drake was named Game MVP for Nelson County and led the Lady Cardinals with 31 points.  Lacy Hagan added 24 points including six three point baskets.  Therese Montano was named Game MVP for Mercy and led the Jaguars with 18 points.  Lauren Faris and Ellen Sholtes added 10 and eight points respectively.  

Conclusion

This was an excellent day of pre-season basketball, with JV teams playing on another floor, 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.  Also remember several of the teams were missing key players today for various reasons.  Some of the key players missing included Asia Mathies , Adia Mathies , and Kayla Hickman (Iroquois), Mallory Adler (Highlands), Chelsey Smith , Jade Troutman , and Jessica Philpott (Bullitt East), Allison Karst (CAL), Jackie Hafele (Sacred Heart), Madison Hardy (Mercy), and Kelsey Robinson   (Nelson County).

5-8 Sr. Emily Hinkson (Paris) continues to impress with her ability to get to the basket and to rebound.   Highlands has some excellent young talent and Iroquois is one of the top teams in the state with all their players.   5-9 Jr. Kayla Thacker (Bullitt East) impressed with her athleticism and ability.   6-2 Jr. Antonita Slaughter and 5-10 Sr. Clair Buchanan were impressive today and the CAL team can shoot the ball. 

5-8 Sr. Rachel Greenwell and 5-8 Sr. Hannah Gerteisen were impressive for Owensboro Catholic and remember the name Becca Greenwell .   Becca is a 5-10 8th grader who seems destined for stardom.   Manual was extremely impressive--big, quick, and athletic with an excellent freshman class.  5-9 Sr. Lindsay Highbaugh (Hart County) is an excellent outside shooter and 5-11 Fr. Lindsey Burd (Hart County) is very athletic and a tireless worker.   5-11 Sr. Tiara Hopper is a force in the paint for Butler and her teammate 5-7 Jr. Whitney Reed has excellent all-around skills. 

5-6 Jr. Autumn Miller (Sacred Heart) is a smooth guard with an excellent outside shot.   5-11 So. Morgan Clemons (Sacred Heart) is capable of recording a double-couble in any game.   6-3 Jr. Samantha Drake (Nelson County) is a force in the paint and runs the floor extremely well.   5-8 Jr. Lacy Hagan (Nelson County) was deadly from beyond the arc.   and 5-9 Jr. Therese Montano (Mercy) is a guard who truly understands the game and makes everyone around her better.   She also can score both inside and out.   Watch this team (Mercy Academy) if they get everyone healthy.  

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to Rich Bolus and Chris Stallings for all their hard work in making this event work.  Also, a special thanks to Bob Tonini of Sacred Heart Academy and the staff of the Basketball Academy for all their help.  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.  

Please feel free to send your comments and questions concerning the event, teams, or players to me at prephoops@yahoo.com.

Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other basketball events appear on http://www.kyprephoops.com.