LaRue County Hawks
2019-2020 Record – 21-9
Since coming back to coach his Alma Mater, Paul Childress has always brought a competitive and interesting team to watch at LaRue County. The former Hawk basketball star has kept the team close to the top the past several seasons in which they went 102-20 in the last four and had his team in the Quarterfinals of the Region Tournament and once came a few seconds for making a trip to the KHSAA State Tournement.
Last season was pretty much a lot of the same as Childress had a team with speed and height built around the talents of center Mark Goode, who led the team in points scored (693-points) and Rebounding (274-rebounds). Bryan Warner was a perfect compliment to Goode and despite fighting injuries was the team’s third leading scorer, while guard Chase Childress was right behind Goode with 331-points.
With those three gone, Childress will still have playmakers, but will look a little different . Senior Jeremiah Belton will return at guard and was the fourth leading scorer with 219-points. Sophomore Carson Childress was the second best three-point shooter on the team behind brother Chase with 58 threes. Childress may go with three and four guard sets with sophomores Caden Davis, Luke Trumbo and Jaxson Thomas avaliable. Senior Adam Beickman should see time on the floor and freshman Cutter Boley should help on the front line.
The Hawks begin the season on January 11th against Highlands Latin, then immediately go on the road to play Washingon County.
LaRue County Lady Hawks
2019-2020 Record – 12-15
Much like the Hawks basketball program, the Lady Hawks have been one of the premier squads in the 5th Region and have been near the top of the state rankings with stellar players which have played on college rosters in the past. The past several seasons, the program has experienced several down seasons since the graduation of their last true star in Presley Brown. As a result, the Lady Hawks have struggled to score and haven’t made a trip to the Region Tournament since Brown’s departure.
This season, Danielle Brown takes over the head coaching post from James Slaven and Brown, a former standout on one of the top LaRue County Lady Hawk team’s back in 2006 will try to resurrect the team. Rebuilding may be a little easier as she will return all five starters from the 12-win team last season.
Leading scorer Natalie Gentry put 267-points on the board and the sophomore was also the Lady Hawks top rebounder. Junior Paige Evans was the second leading scorer with 210-points and senior Kately Ends was third along with being the top three point shooter on the team. Senior Kelsey Hornback scored 185-points and Bella Thurmond put 137-points as well, but she may be lost due to a knee injury. Senior Emma Moore should get plenty of playing time and junior Maleah English will play some, too.
A trip to Adair County will help kickoff the Lady Hawks new season on Monday January 11th in 2021 and then we will get to see Brown’s product unveiled for the first time.
