15th District Girls Basketball Tournament Preview
February 20-23 – Warren East High School
2022 Champion – Barren County
4th Region Player of the Year Raven Ennis was held to only nine points but Barren County cruised to its fifth-straight district championship in a 54-30 victory over Monroe County. Macy Lockhart led the way with 13 points, while Paisley Ford hit three three-pointers and scored 13 points in the Lady Falcons final 15th District game.
Last Five Championship Games
2022 – Barren County over Monroe County
2016 – Barren County over Glasgow
2020 – Barren County over Glasgow
2019 – Barren County over Glasgow
2018 – Barren County over Glasgow
Schedule
Monday, February 20 @ 6:00pm – #1 Barren County vs. #4 Warren East
Tuesday, February 21 @ 7:45pm – #2 Allen County-Scottsville vs. #3 Glasgow
Thursday, February 23 @ 6:00pm – Championship Game
#1 – Barren County (24-6)
How They Can Win
Unblemished in its last 32 district games, Barren County will look to add to its impressive record at Warren East High this week. The Trojanettes won each of their six district games by an average of 16.9 points per game. Led by junior Abby Varney’s 16.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, coach Piper Lindsey hopes her club will use its stingy team defense to win a sixth-consecutive district championship. Barren is ranked fourth in the state in points allowed per game (36.9). Between Varney, Katie Murphy, and Katie Gearlds, the squad is confident it can lock up any team it faces.
#2 – Allen County-Scottsville (12-12)
How They Can Win
Despite splitting the season series with Glasgow, the Lady Patriots have to be feeling confident about their chances to reach the district finals for the first time since 2016. Coach Greg Dunn’s squad closed the regular season with five wins in its final six games. Four players average in double figures, led by eighth-grader Avery Morris’ 14.5 points per game. Senior Jaylee Covington is averaging 10.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest. The balance on offense ensures that ACS will have multiple ways to score if one of its top scorers has an off night.
#3 – Glasgow (13-16)
How They Can Win
Glasgow will be hoping that the adage about the postseason being “A New Season” rings true after dropping nine of its final eleven games to end the regular season. The Scotties will likely go as far as their talented duo of senior Mia Cassady and junior Khloe Hale can take them. Cassady is one of the state’s top three-point shooters, knocking down nearly 80 so far this season. Hale is among the region leaders in rebounds at 9.1 per game. A win over ACS would give Glasgow its fifth district championship game in six seasons.
#4 – Warren East (7-21)
How They Can Win
Warren East hosts the 15th District Tournament in its inaugural season hoping it can upset the favorite and five-time defending champions. A young team with only three seniors on the roster, five players average at least five points per game. Sophomore guard Sam Carver leads the team in scoring at 6.2 points per game and is shooting nearly 76% from the free-throw line. Coach Jenny Neville and her club will be hoping for some postseason magic at home this week.
Prediction
Barren County is the favorite to win the 15th District Tournament and will be among the favorites to win the 4th Region Tournament next week at Diddle Arena should they qualify. Despite its lack of scoring firepower, the Trojanettes commitment to team defense, ability to put teams away, and timely free throw shooting (28th statewide in %) make them my pick to win a sixth-straight title. In the 2-3 matchup, the Lady Patriots are oozing with momentum and I predict it will carry on in a victory over the Lady Scotties. Allen County-Scottsville will be back in the region tournament for the first time since 2016.
Champion – Barren County
