Way-Too-Early ST Power Rankings for 2021-22 Season

By Perry Swack

It is never too early to project how the 2021-22 high school basketball season may look like. The Kentucky Senate passed a bill last month that would allow current high school seniors an extra year of high school and athletic eligibility. It is unclear which school districts will utilize this provision; however, if it is allowed by 4^th Region schools, it would certainly shake up the 2021-22 athletics’ season. For purpose of these rankings, we will assume high school seniors are off to college (but will update as new information becomes known).

 School                  2021 Record   2021 Final Ranking

1. Bowling Green                    19-11            1    

Returning: Meadow Tisdale (Jr), LynKaylah James (Sr), Ava Bennett (Sr), Payton Briley (Sr), Tanaya Bailey (Jr), Emma Huskey (Sr), Paris Wardlow (Sr), JaSiyah Franklin (So)

Departing: Kiyah Gray

Nearly every player from Calvin Head’s rotation will be returning next winter for the Lady Purples. The state quarterfinalist will be the clear-cut favorite to take home the 4^th Region crown again.

2. Barren County                 20-8                      2    

Returning: Raven Ennis (Sr), Abigail Varney (So), Katie Murphy (So), Addison London (Sr), Kaitlyn Elmore (Fr), Katie Gearlds (Fr), Adison Smith (Jr), Macy Lockhart (Jr)

Departing: Emma Hughes

Don’t tell Piper Lindsey and her Trojanettes that there is a “clear-cut favorite” in the 4^th Region. Barren County will be right there in the thick of the race as they also return nearly every player from 2021. BCHS also should return Macy Lockhart, who tore her ACL in January and missed virtually the entire ’21 campaign.

3. Metcalfe County        13-10               5

Returning: Kassady London (So), Jaycie Harper (Sr), Anna Blythe (Jr), Braelyn Davis (Sr), Aubree Jolly (Fr), Lindsey Bandy (Jr)

Departing: Macy Welsh

The 16^th District champions return their top four scorers, including six players from Tiffany Coffey’s 2021 rotation. The Lady Hornets will be hungry for a deep postseason run after losing a one-point heartbreaker in the region quarterfinals this season.

4. Greenwood                      12-8                       3

Returning: Leia Trinh (So), Kayla Grant (Jr), Olivia Lovell (Sr), Olivia Overmohle (Sr)

Departing: Jacqueline Jackson, Nicole Milam, Rachel Evans

Greenwood will return two of its top three scorers and its top two rebounders next winter. The size of Grant, Lovell, and Overmohle will make the Lady Gators a tough team to contend with inside. Trinh will give Zach Simpson and company a go-to scorer in the backcourt.

5. Warren Central              9-7                  6   

Returning: Saniyah Shelton (Jr), Kaylyn Kenner (Sr), Aida Akhmedova (So), Ariana Simmons (Sr), Jordyn Downey (Jr), Kennedee Robinson (Jr),

Departing: La Auhnni Lewis, Kyleigh Ray, Aliyah Whitfield

Warren Central will lose La Auhnni Lewis and Kyleigh Ray, but they will return leading scorer and rebounder Saniyah Shelton. Kaylyn Keener had a great end to the 2021 campaign and will be called upon to continue providing scoring and rebounding for the Lady Dragons next season.

6. Monroe County               9-9                  9   

Returning: Paisley Ford (Jr), Malila Myatt, (Sr), Gracie Veach (Sr), Ella Massingille (Jr), Brynley Hatcher (Sr)

Departing: Ramsey Bartley, Halee Deckard, Kelsie Langford, Aubrey Woods

Monroe County will return its top four scorers from this past season, including leading scorer Paisley Ford and leading rebounder Gracie Veach. The Lady Falcons should be the favorite to advance to the 4^th Region Tournament along with Barren County in the 15^th District.

7. Russellville                      10-11         NR

Returning: Anastasia Dowlen (Sr), Amiyah Collier (Jr), Lareesha Cawthorne (Fr), Jaylah Kees (Jr), Brinley Mason (Jr), Aliyah Kennedy (Jr)

Departing: Chloe Whitescarver, Macaria Hanes

The Lady Panthers will return three of their top four scorers, including all-district performers Anastasia Dowlen and Amiyah Collier. With the returning talent in tow, Russellville may be favored to win its first district title since 1999.

8. Glasgow                     10-13        10

Returning: Mia Cassady (Jr), Khloe Hale (So), Ashton Botts (Jr), Kaidence Byrd (Jr), Janae Bradley (So)

Departing: Anzley Adwell

Glasgow will lose one of the region’s top players in Anzley Adwell but will return every other player from a team that has reached the 4^th Region Tournament in four-straight seasons. The Lady Scotties will look to win their first 15^th District title since 2016.

9. Franklin-Simpson       14-8                  4 

Returning: Hadley Turner (Jr), Malyea Partinger (Jr), Ashanti Johnson (Jr), Katelyn McAlister (So), Damyah Hopson (Sr), Conleigh Wilson (Jr)

Departing: Kate Norwood, Alera Barbee

Franklin-Simpson will lose its top two scorers in Norwood and Barbee; however, the Lady Wildcats will return every other player from their region semifinalist roster.

10. South Warren             10-12         NR

Returning: Gracie Hodges (Jr), Carrie Enlow (Sr), Mila Munrath (Jr), Megan Kitchens (Jr), Hannah Jackson (Jr)

Departing: Karson Deaton

Lane Embry’s club will bring back every player from this season except Karson Deaton, including top scorer and rebounder Gracie Hodges. The Lady Spartans will be hungry to return to the 4^th Region Tournament after a two-year absence.