15th District Girls Basketball Tournament Preview
March 16-18 – Barren County High School
2020 Champion – Barren County
Karleigh Delk scored 28 points on 14-of-17 shooting to lead #1 seed Barren County to a 65-48 victory over #2 seed Glasgow. Delk also led the Trojanettes with 11 rebounds as they won their third-straight 15th District title.
Last Five Championship Games
2020 – Barren County over Glasgow
2019 – Barren County over Glasgow
2018 – Barren County over Glasgow
2017 – Monroe County over Barren County
2016 – Glasgow over Allen County-Scottsville
Schedule
Tuesday, March 16 @ 5:30pm – #1 Barren County vs. #4 Allen County-Scottsville
Tuesday, March 16 @ 7:45pm – #2 Monroe County vs. #3 Glasgow
Thursday, March 18 @ 6:00pm – Championship Game
#1 – Barren County (16-7)
How They Can Win
Barren County enters the tournament looking to win its fourth-straight district title. It will enter the field as the favorite to do just that after sweeping through district play with a record of 5-0. Coach Piper Lindsey’s club still has aspirations of a 13th District-4th Region championship double, although losing Macy Lockhart to injury in January definitely affected their chances. Now the attention is on junior Raven Ennis. At 16.6 points per game, Ennis leads the 15th District in scoring and is fifth in rebounding.
Player to Keep an Eye on
Four players average between 5.4 and 6.7 points per game for the Trojanettes. One I have my eye on in this tournament is Addison London. The junior is averaging 6.1 points per game and has made 28 three-pointers on the year, second only behind Ennis.
#2 – Monroe County (9-8)
How They Can Win
Monroe County is as balanced as any team in the 15th District with three players averaging at least 8.1 points per game. The team is led in scoring by sophomore Paisley Ford. Ford is averaging 13.6 points per game, which ranks third in the 15th District. The last time the district tournament was held at Barren County, the Lady Falcons were victorious. Can they do it again?
Player to Keep an Eye on
Junior forward Gracie Veach is the team’s second-leading scorer at 9.1 points and leading rebounder at 6.1 rebounds per game. She will have to go head-to-head with the 15th District’s best post players this week. If she is able to have her way, the Lady Falcons can with the whole thing.
#3 – Glasgow (9-11)
How They Can Win
As the only senior on the roster, Anzley Adwell has witnessed three-consecutive 15th District runner-up finishes for the Lady Scotties. After losing four of five games in January, Glasgow closed the regular season winning six of its final nine games. The streak included impressive wins over Franklin-Simpson, Metcalfe County, and South Warren. If the Lady Scotties are to make it back to Diddle Arena for a fourth-straight year, they will need big games from their star Adwell.
Players to Keep an Eye on
Both Mia Cassady and Khloe Hale will also need to play major roles for the Scotties to advance in this event. The sophomore Cassady is averaging 10 points per game and has made 43 three-pointers on the year. The freshman Hale is averaging 8.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and will be called upon to guard opposing teams’ best post players.
#4 – Allen County-Scottsville (7-13)
How They Can Win
The Lady Patriots are not your normal 4-seed. Coach Greg Dunn’s crew boasts the district’s second-leading scorer (Allison Meador) and have seven single-digit losses. They also have already defeated two of the other three teams in the 15th District. AC-S closed the season with six losses in its final eight games; however, it will not lack confidence when it hits the hardwood Tuesday night. If they can turn those close losses into wins, the Lady Patriots will make a chance to return to Diddle Arena for the first time since 2016.
Player to Keep an Eye on
Freshman Jaylee Steenbergen is the team’s second-leading scorer at 8.1 points per game, while leading the team in rebounding at 7.5 rebounds per contest.
Prediction
Barren County is the favorite to win the 15th District Tournament, especially on its homecourt. The Trojanettes have had their fair share of close calls, but I believe they will knock off AC-S to reach the title game. In the 2-3 game, I predict a game that comes down to the very end. Monroe County’s Ford and Hodges going up against Adwell, Cassady, and Hale for Glasgow. With the game hanging in the balance, Anzley Adwell will make the necessary plays to secure a fourth-straight trip to the 15th District championship game, as well as the 4th Region Tournament.
In the finale, we get the matchup of the two best players in the district – Ennis vs. Adwell. I feel like the winner of Mornoe-Glasgow will have a really strong chance to knock off Barren. I really want to take the Lady Scotties to finally get over the hump for the first time since 2016; however, I cannot pick against the Trojanettes on their home court. Barren wins its fourth-straight district title and moves on to the region tourney oozing with momentum.
