Congratulations to Taylor County Girls Basketball team on their hard fought 2025 KHSAA State Tournament run
On Friday, March 14, 2025, the Taylor County Varsity Girls Basketball team lost their game against Frederick Douglass High School (53-61) in the 2025 Clarks Pump-N-Shop Girls’ Sweet 16 KHSAA Tournament held at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.
This is Taylor County’s second visit to Rupp. The girls program made their first appearance in 1977 but finished in the first round with a loss against Madisonville 88-70. Campbellsville fans had quite the showing to support their girls at Rupp Arena. The Lady Cardinals were able to extend their stay this time, with a win over Knott County but unfortunately ended their run against Frederick Douglas in the Elite 8.
Taylor County 53 Knott County Central 35 | The Lady Cardinals made a splash in Lexington with an 18-point win over Knott County Central, Wednesday afternoon. Taylor County took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter before Knott County responded with a 4-0 run. Avery Raikes scored the first eight points with two three-pointers and a tip-in. Knott County was ahead 13-6 after one quarter. Both Deener and Bradstreet hit consecutive threes to push the lead up to 19-8. Taylor County led 26-12 at the half and despite Knott County making a 16-9 run in the third quarter, the Lady Cards close the game with a 18-7 run in the fourth quarter. The Lady Cardinals finished up with an 18-point win. Their first for the Girls program in it’s history. Deener led the way with 27-points on 8-11 shooting. Raikes had 11-points. Jackson and Sprowl had 16-rebounds between them as they outrebounded Knott County 38-22. The Lady Cards hit five more shots (18-49 to 13-40) and won the free throw battle (9-11 to 5-7).
Frederick Douglas 61 Taylor County 53 | It was a battle all the way. The Broncos came out to an early lead at 11-4 before Taylor County came to life with their transition attack. Two free throws and a three pointer by Raikes along with another three by Bradstreet made it 13-12. Then a layup by Deener and a jumper by Raikes put Taylor up 16-13 at the half. The taller Broncos and their physical play began to wear on the Lady Cardinals in general and Deener in particular pushing Broncos up 44-35 after three quarters. The Lady Cardinals looked finished when Deener answers back with 7-points (three-point play, layup and two more FT’s) made it 48-42 with 5:37 left. A basket by Kallie Vaughn and two Free throws by Raikes cut it to 48-46. A layup by the Broncos Knowles made it 50-46 and then a three by Vaughn cut it to 50-49. After two free throws by Sprowl put Taylor County up 51-50, Okorley put the Broncos back up 52-51 with 3:19 left. After Deener was fouled, there was a clock malfunction which stopped play during her free throws. Deener made both giving Taylor County it’s last lead of the game at 53-52. The Broncos went on a 9-0 run which finished the game. Late, the clock issue may have allowed the Broncos a second wind as the Lady Cards had them on the run. Frederick Douglas made just two more baskets (18-40 to 16-42). The Broncos had four three-pointers in the first half with none in the second half. Taylor County was 4-10 from outside. Douglas did outrebound the Lady Cards (34-19) and that did play into most of their second chance baskets. Both teams had 11-steals and turnovers were about even (27 to 22).
Afterwards, both seniors Kennedy Jackson and Riley Sprowl shared an emotional hug. Sprowl had been a member of Varsity since seventh grade. Jackson transferred from Green County and became an important part of the program as a sophomore. Prior to their KHSAA State Tournament run, Taylor County lost a few key players but enter eighth grader Kennedy Deener. She became the next go-to-player. Freshman Greta Bradstreet became a dangerous three-point shooter. Sophomore Avery Raikes is well-rounded with the ability to score, rebound and defend. Both Jackson and Sprowl are valuable shot blockers.
To prepare for the big moments, Matthew Turner arranged a challenging schedule as well as playing on a college size court in Class 2A at the Owensboro Sportscenter. Turner wanted speed. One of the main objectives when he came aboard was to transition faster down the floor. Opponents realized how successful the Lady Cardinals have been at driving to the basket, either kicking it out or drawing contact. They tried to take the inside game away at but the kick-outs and shooting from beyond the arc was intimidating.
“This season has been a blessing, and they’ve preached playing for each other and I couldn’t ask for a better way to end my varsity career,” said Sprowl.
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