Every season, it appears the gap may be closing between the top and bottom teams and for five of the past six seasons it’s Bethlehem which has been the last team standing. However, the gap is closing fast.
Bethlehem Banshees (27-9)- For the past six seasons, Bethlehem has been a participant in the 5th Region Final and despite graduating a veritable All-Star team over the past six years, the Banshees have been the last team standing in five of those years. This season coach Jason Clark’s team is looking to make it five straight (something no team in that region has done yet) and despite losing three valuable starters, the Banshees can still make that run. It all starts with Leah Macy, who can do everything and although she missed nearly a month last season because of an injury still turned in a great season leading the team to their 4th straight trip to the State Tourney. Tessa Miles returns to help lead the team as one of the top scorers and rebounders. After that, Clark has plenty of young talent to choose from including Gracie Osborne, Kaylee McElroy, Zoe Thurmond and Sophia Miles. Twin Towers Caroline Mattingly and Loren Macy will add height to the team. Neely Cheek and Taylor Janes will get plenty of minutes as well.
Bardstown Lady Tigers (25-7)- Some feel the team with the best chance to dethrone Bethlehem might be crosstown rival Bardstown and made a trip to the Region Final last season. After Amber Courtney stepped down to take the Elizabethtown job, Ashley Buckman stepped in and did a great job with the Lady Tigers and they still return plenty of talent to challenge again despite losing one starter. Leading scorer Ella Buckman will be back and was one of the top outside shooters on the team. Kadence Livers was the 2nd leading scorer and Rowan Walls will return as well. Nariyah Crowe led the team in rebounds and is a threat to score as well.
Taylor County Lady Cardinals (23-10)- About two years ago, Taylor County shocked the Region by nor only putting together a solid team, but also nearly knocking off the defending two-time Region Champs (Bethlehem) in an overtime classic. That Taylor County team was not only very young but played like an experienced squad. With Jamie Vernon gone as head coach, Matthew Turner will take over a team with several returning starters including second leading scorer Kennedy Deener. Grace Bale recovered nicely after suffering an ACL injury during the offseason the previous summer and senior guard Kennedy Jackson will return as well. The Lady Cardinals strength is driving to the basket and drawing fouls where they are efficient at hitting free throws.
North Hardin Lady Trojans (27-7)- The last several seasons for North Hardin have been fun under coach Vouce Isom as the Lady Trojans won 46-games, winning two straight 17th District Championships and reached the 5th Region Tournament Final Four both years. With four seniors gone and the top two scorers as well, new coach Destiny Bramblett will try to continue the winning tradition that Vonce restarted. The former North Hardin basketball star will have plenty to work around as senior forward Destiny Scott will lead the team along with returning guards Alanah Dubose and Navaeh Raphael. Youngsters Asia Charles and Sophia Muse will also get plenty of playing time.
John Hardin Lady Bulldogs (18-14)- John Hardin surprised many last season with their surprise run to the District Final and return to the Region Tournament before finally falling to Taylor County in the first round. Coach Nicki Coleman has done a marvelous job rebuilding a team which has taken baby steps to be a contender again and despite the lose of their leading scorer (Destini McAllister) should be better this season. It really starts with the McCurry sisters as the two ranked second and third in scoring on the team and were among the leaders in rebounding as well. Charlotte scored 401-points and pulled down 182-rebounds while Caroline had 236-points and 155-rebounds. Right behind them is Patricia Gregory and Lillian White along with LaShay Jones as well.
Elizabethtown Lady Panthers (17-14)- Coach Amber Courtney had big shoes to fill after taking the job following Donnie Swiney, who followed Tim Mudd and despite some turnover in the lineup over the past several seasons did continue with some success, but after dropping a tough semi-final District Tournament game to John Hardin failed to make a Region Tournament appearance for the first time since 2005. This season should be fun as Courtney will return two sets of sisters who will play a big part in the team’s drive for the Region Tourney. Freshman Maliah Courtney was the top scorer on the team followed by sister (Junior) Miyah and both were 1-2 in made 3-point shooting. Senior Maebrie Cochran will be back as will twin sisters Emerson and Harper Gregory, who were 3rd-4th-5th on the team in scoring.
Central Hardin Lady Bruins (13-17)- Under new coach Glenn Peterson, the Lady Bruins improved on their record by winning two more games, but a semi-final loss to North Hardin derailed their hopes of making another Region Tournament appearance. The tough part of being the fourth team in a District with Elizabethtown, North Hardin and John Hardin is trying to compete game in and game out with several possible State contenders every year. With only Allie Link gone from last season’s team, Peterson does return the teams’ leading scorer in Juliana Stith and Kaitlyn Huggins. Between the two Lady Bruins were over 800-points and over 400-rebounds. Graci Blair and Samantha Nelson will also be back and should make major contributions.
Green County Lady Dragons (19-12)- The Lady Dragons have always been a contending team and in a District which looks to be in transition this season they could be top dog if everything works out for them. Actually, the Lady Dragons came close (a game tying three that rimmed out against Bardstown in the first round of the Regionals) to making a Final Four appearance last season. Coach Chris Blaydes has quite a returning group to look forward to despite losing Allie Burris and Lilly Beard to graduation. In Mia Blaydes, the Lady Dragons have nearly a 400-point scorer and Chloe Fortner was 2nd with 308-points. Scout Brockman led the team with 193-rebounds and Blaydes has a pretty young bench to look to that can contribute as well.
Hart County Lady Raiders (18-13)- After making six straight Region Tournament appearances, the Lady Raiders will be hard pressed to make it seven. Hart County lost four seniors including one of the top players in the Area in Dea Bradley, but that still isn’t totally out of the question though for coach Jessica Lindsey. Lindsey will return senior Kennedy Reynolds along with youngsters Nevaeh Haskins and Abby Rose Roten.
LaRue County Lady Hawks ( 5-20)- To say things did not go well for Lady Hawk coach Danielle Brown last season was quite the understatement, but hopefully with a full squad and better luck 2024-2025 will have a happier ending. LaRue County only had three players score over 100-points, but Ellah Pruitt, Maxie Blakey and Payton Druen should have big seasons for the Lady Hawks along with Chloe Eads.
Nelson County Lady Cardinals (9-20)- After making the Region Tournament for two straight seasons, the Lady Cardinals were eliminated in the semi-finals of the District Tourney last season. Coach Trey Dugan will look to right the ship with plenty of returnees this season starting with Kate Nora Simpson, who led the team in scoring along with Megan Simpson was 2nd in points scored and 1st in rebounds.
Marion County Lady Knights (11-16)- For the second time in three seasons, the Lady Knights qualified for the Region Tournament under coach Bre Elder, but with new coach Aaron Brown in charge the Lady Knights will return three of their top five scorers starting with Mya Scott, who led the team in points scored and rebounds. Kyra Smith will also be back, who was the 3rd leading scorer on the team as well.
Campbellsville Lady Eagles (8-19)- 2024-2025 could be an interesting season for the Lady Eagles as coach Kyvin Goodin-Rogers starts her 3rd season there with leading scorer Tazaria Owens back as well as Aleecia Knezevic and Caselynn Brown. The Lady Eagles will be boasted by two transfers Kayley Benningfield and Alexis Knifley from Taylor County.
