Girls Basketball
By Perry Swack
A top ten poll projecting next season might seem like a pointless endeavor. For example, a season ago, Lareesha Cawthorn was coming off of a season in which she led Russellville to its first region tournament victory since 1993. As all area basketball fans now know, she transferred to Franklin-Simpson and suddenly a team we predicted seventh (Franklin) was 30-2 and in the region semifinals. With this anecdote in mind, our Never Too Early ST Power Rankings are simply for enjoyment as fans cope with the realization that basketball season has come to an end. Take a look at our rankings and see who you think should be ranked higher!
*Team rosters may change over time but this is how they project at the end of the 2023-24 season. Players listed as their 2024-25 class.
*2023-24 Record Listed*
- Bowling Green 24-11
Returning: Katy Smiley (Sr), NaTaya Wardlow (Sr), Emma Macy (So), Aniyah Smith (Jr)
Departing: NaTajia Alexander, Ryleigh Campbell, JaSiyah Franklin, JaKiah Mitchell, Chloe Potter, Alexus McDonald
There is no question that the Bowling Green program will deeply miss its six seniors who helped coach Calvin Head win the last four region titles. However, when a dynasty is in the middle of a run, it does not make sense to pick against them. Coach Head and the Lady Purples have won five-straight region championships and will look to make it six as they return leading scorer and rebounder Katy Smiley. BG will also bring back star point guard NaTaya Wardlow into the fold. Look for sophomore Emma Macy and center Aniyah Smith to make a big jump in 2025.
- Franklin-Simpson 30-2
Returning: Lareesha Cawthorn (Sr), Kloie Smith (Jr), Lyniah Brown (Sr), Jasmine Savage (Sr), Naja Nolan (Sr), Vanessa Ray (Sr), Sa’nya Downey (Sr), Majayla Butler (So)
Departing: Katelyn McAlister, Jayden Spears
If Bowling Green is 1A, the Lady Wildcats of Franklin-Simpson are 1B by the slimmest of margins. Coach Ashley Taylor’s squad went 30-2 this season and should return nearly every piece from this season. 13th District Player of the Year and 1st Team All-Region pick Lareesha Cawthorn will be back for her senior season after averaging 17.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. As a team, Franklin will return its top six scorers and rebounders from the 23-24 campaign. Watch out for Jasmine Savage, who hit 67 three-pointers this season and shot 41% from beyond the arc. The incoming senior only attempted seven two-pointers.
- Warren East 26-5
Returning: Sam Carver (Sr), Lydia Jones (Sr), Kennedy Lawson (Sr), Madison Lawson (Sr), Keyoni Collins (Sr), Kenzie Upton (Sr), Brelynn Wardlow (So)
Departing: RaeEllen Jones, Rileigh Jones, Cecelia Martter
After a 7-22 season in 22-23, Warren East did not make our Never Too Early list a year ago. However, after going 26-5 and winning its first district championship since 2007, the Lady Raiders will not be sneaking up on anyone in 2025. Coach Jenny Neville’s club will return its top four scorers from the 23-24 campaign, including All-Region pick Sam Carver (10.2 PPG) and Madison Lawson (9.2 PPG). East will be the favorite to repeat as 15th District champions.
- Todd County Central 19-13
Returning: Alexis Taylor (Sr), Jordyn Shemwell (Fr), JaMya Kay (Jr), Chloe Collins (So), Daymea Garrett (Jr)
Departing: Abby Williams, Zalaya Smith
In coach Nick Suttle’s second season, the Lady Rebels reached the 4th Region Tournament for the first time since 2018 and only the second time this decade. Todd County Central did not stop at merely qualifying for the event, defeating the 15th and 16th District champions en route to a berth in the region finals. Suttle’s program will return a majority of its rotation, none more important than senior Alexis Taylor. Taylor was named to ST’s All-Hoops First Team after averaging 18.1 points and a region-best 10.6 rebounds per game. No one will be surprised if the Lady Rebels are playing for another region title in 2025.
- Metcalfe County 20-13
Returning: Kassady London (Sr), Bree Jolly (Jr), Jozie Allen (So), Aubrey Glass (Jr), Lily Blythe (So), Aubrie Compton (Jr)
Departing: Anna Blythe
One thing that is likely not talked about enough: the consistency of Metcalfe County Basketball. Two women have been at the forefront of their success over the course of the last half-decade: Kassady London and Anna Blythe. Though graduating this spring, Blythe appeared in the last five region tournaments for the Lady Hornets. The graduating senior improved her scoring and rebounding output in each of her last three seasons. Coach Heidi Coleman will miss Blythe immensely; however, the rest of the team is set to return, including super-senior London. A second team all-region pick, London has appeared in the last six region tournaments. She averaged 13.3 points per game in 23-24 and will look to lead the Lady Hornets to a fifth-straight district title in 2025.
- Barren County 23-8
Returning: Kaitlyn Elmore (Sr), Katie Gearlds (Sr), Taylor Strange (Sr), Ann Ashley Atkinson (Jr), Shelby Byrd (So), Hannah Bragg (Jr), Riley Wilson (Jr), Addyson McFall (Jr)
Departing: Abby Varney, Katie Murphy
It is certainly plausible that we look up a year from now and realize that having Barren County at #6 is far too low. The Trojanettes will return six of their top seven scorers from a 23-win team that was primed for a deep run into the region tournament before being upset in the district semifinals. However, the fact that Piper Lindsey will no longer be able to call upon Abby Varney or Katie Murphy gives me a little pause. Both had outstanding careers on the hardwood for Barren. The program will now turn to All-District performer Kaitlyn Elmore, along with Shelby Byrd (7.7 PPG) and Ann Ashley Atkinson (5.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG).
- South Warren 13-17
Returning: McLaine Hudson (Jr), Ashley Overbay (Sr), Jenna Lindsey (Sr), Jooniper Strow (Fr)
Departing: Grace Maxwell, Hannah Bolin, Alexis Martin, Abigail Overbay
The Lady Spartans will return three of their top four scorers from this season, including All-Region performer McLaine Hudson. The sophomore averaged 16.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Hudson increased her scoring average by nearly six points per game from a strong freshman season. and her 11.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. After appearing in 29 games as a seventh grader, Jooniper Strow was South’s second-leading scorer in 23-24 at 7.9 points per game. The eighth grader was also named to the Sporting Times’ All-Freshman Team. Coach Lane Embry’s club will like its chances to reach a third region tournament in four seasons.
- Cumberland County 18-12
Returning: Madi Cooksey (So), Abby Morgan (Jr), Kenzie Willen (So), Keagan Walden (Jr), Erica Branham (Jr)
Departing: Graci Craft, Jayleana Smith
Despite missing the 4th Region Tournament, the 2023-24 season was a success for the Cumberland County Lady Panthers. Returning their top four scorers and three rebounders from an 18-win team that won the All-A region championship is a great place to start for next season. Madi Cooksey (13.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG) continues to be a steady star for Cumberland. All of coach Kristen Anderson’s core will still be underclassmen in 2025 as the Lady Panthers seek to reach the 4th Region Tournament for the first time since 2015.
- Russell County 18-12
Returning: Rachel Bolin (Sr), Karley Luttrell (Sr), Addison Hart (Sr), Aniyah Coffey (Jr), Addy Abrell (Fr),
Departing: Aysha Sutton, Jaterria Coffey
The Lady Lakers returned to the 4th Region Tournament utilizing a balanced offensive attack that featured four players averaging at least eight points per game. Incoming senior Rachel Bolin led the team in scoring (10.9 PPG) and rebounding (9.0 RPG) and was named to the All-District Team. Coach Brett Blankenship will lose Aysha Sutton but will return Aniyah Coffey (9.6 PPG) and Addy Abrell (8.1 PPG) to fill the gap.
- Allen County-Scottsville 12-18
Returning: Avery Morris (So), Riley Roy (Sr), Aubrie Naiser (Sr), Allison Ford (Jr), Debora Patrick (Jr)
Departing: Claira Berry, Jayleigh Steenbergen, Sarah Wright
Allen County-Scottsville ended a seven-year drought from the region tournament this season and will look to build upon this momentum as it returns the region’s leading scorer in Avery Morris (20.5 PPG). Third-leading scorer Aubrie Naiser (8.9 PPG) and leading rebounder Riley Roy (5.0 RPG) will all be slated to return for Greg Dunn’s staff looking to build upon the success of this postseason.
