2025 5th Region Girls Basketball Preview
Much like the 5th Region Boys Basketball season, which came to an end and suddenly there was a plehora of movement immediately afterwards, the Girls version has seen almost as much movement in a season where could be plenty of change at the top
The Top Ten:
Taylor County (25-9) – The Lady Cardinals finally made history as they finally sealed the deal with their first EVER Regional championship last season and a trip to the Elite Eight despite dropping a tough loss to Frederick Douglas, but COULD Taylor County be the next regional dynasty? With the loss of top rebounders Kennedy Jackson and Riley Sprowles, the Lady Cardinals will lean heavily on Kennedy Deener, who led the team in scoring and three-point percentage and Avery Raikes and Greta Bradstreet will be the major returnees from that squad. The talent base of the squad is realitively young and with the coming of Donnie Swiney (the team’s third different head coach in three years), Taylor County should be the preseason favorite.
Bardstown (16-15)- Despite a 4-9 start, the Lady Tigers righted themselves and not only won the 19th District Final, but made their second trip to the Regional Championship. Coming into his third season as the head coach, Ashley Buckman had led Bardstown just one step short of a State Tourney appearance twice, but the task may be a bit tougher this season with the loss of seinors Rowan Walls, Nariyah Crowe and Kadence Livers. Still, with Ella Buckman back, Bardstown should be able to field a squad around her for another chance to play late in March.
Elizabethtown (24-7)- After missing the Regionals the previous season, coach Amber Courtney’s Lady Panthers came back as one of the top teams in the area scoring over 2,000-pts and although they lost a very valuable group of seniors and a valuable role player, they should once again be a factor. Courtney will return her top two scorers in sisters Mailiah and Miyah Courtney and were also tops in three-point shooting as well. Courtney will look to fill roles and create a bench as well for their run-and-press attack.
Central Hardin (20-10)- Last season, the Lady Bruins made an appearance in the regionals at Marion County and made quite a bit of noise with their Elite Eight finish, but 2025 is a new year and there will be plenty of changes. Central Hardin lost four of their top scorers with only forward Kaitlyn Huggins returning, but new coach Jordan Cooper will try to build a team around Huggins and they have plenty of youth with Chloe Johnson, Nanalee Smith, Piper Wilcox and Mariana Resto-Santos.
North Hardin (11-16)- Last season, the 17th District was one of the toughest Districts for girls basketball to get out of and North Hardin was one of the teams who was left home from the regionals, but this season, coach Destiny Bramblett lost only one starter and returns a deep team with speed and athletic ability starting with All Area forward Destiny Scott and Alanah Dubose. Bramblett also has several she can shuttle in and out of the lineup with no dropoff like Lilly White, Asia Charles, Jackie Brewer, Sophia Muse, Scarlett Matzdorff and Alexis Duvall.
John Hardin (17-13)- The Lady Bulldogs were the other top area team left out of the regionals from the 17th District race and several of their divisional matches were decided by just a handful of points. This season, John Hardin will have a new coach in Jared McCurry and a varsity roster of just seven players, but will be led by one of the top athletes in the Region in freshman Charlotte McCurry and sister junior Caroline McCurry. With Lilly White and Patricia Gregory gone, McCurry will rely on others to fill spots and stay competitive.
Hart County (5-26)- The Lady Raiders made another regional appearance under coach Jessica Lindsey, but were bounced in the first round. However, they must improve on their five-win season and Lindsey will lean on a very young squad that does return four starters. Addison Devore will be back alond with Navaeh Haskins and Abby Rose Roten.
Bethlehem (19-8)- Last season, the Banshees were cruising along until star Leah Macy went down and their chances for a record fifth straight region title disappeared after a surprising loss to Nelson County in the quarterfinals of the district tourney. The Banshees will begin a new chapter as Jason Clark stepped down and Glenn Wathen from Whitfield Academy is the new coach. Wathen will try to continue the successful pipeline of winning with Kaylee McElroy, Loren Macy and Sophia Miles.
Nelson County (18-12)- The Lady Cardinals made a runinto the regionals last season and return plenty of young talent. Coach Trey Dugan returns scorers Kate Nora Simpson, Megan Simpson and Gracie Monin. Nelson County has size and could challenge again in the 19th District.
Campbellsville (13-10)- Coach Kyvin Goodin-Rogers has assembled a pretty talented team and would like to make a move this season to make the regionals. Kayley Benningfield and Alexis Knifley are back along with Karsyn Smith and Tazaria Owens. Symone Headspeth came over from Elizabethtown and will be a factor.
Green County (23-7)- No matter who coach Chris Blaydes graduates, the Lady Dragons are competitive every season and last season was just another example. With leading scorer Mia Blaydes gone, Green County will lean on sophmore Scout Brockman and Chloe Fortner will also be back along with Molly Dixon.
Adair County (17-13)- The Lady Indians rebounded well from a ten-win season the previous season to 17-wins and a trip to the regionals. A return trip is very possible as coach Staci Hill should return all five starters. Leading scorer Kinzlee Akin will be back along with Reese Bardin, Lia Loy, Addison Bowman and Ella Brown.
Marion County (10-17)- Former Lady Knight star Makayla Epps is the new head coach taking over for Aaron Brown and will try to lead the team toward a winning direction. She will have several returnees to work with in Kyra Smith, Patience Staples, Adriana Brown and Deona Shively.
Thomas Nelson (8-16)- Bill Mattingly will be the new head coach to lead the Lady Generals and he will have several returnees to lead the team with Alex Benningfield, Danya Parsley, Audrina Linton and Cali Fulkerson.
Washington County (7-23)- Coach Daniel Sheckles will attempt to improve on a seven win season and with returnees Izzy Medley, Kylie Newton, Jolie Logsdon and Marlee Tennill he might be able to.
LaRue County (6-17)- Coach Danielle Brown’s team showed a little improvement by winning six games last season and with several returnees she might with Kaylee Warren and Addison Skaggs back.
Caverna (1-27)- For head coach Andre Barbour, many kind of improvement will be welcomed after a one win season and with several returnees like Jakada Thompson, Kinley Thompson, Jordyn Bethel and Alyssa Barbour back, they might.