Recruiting Round-Up: Back In Session
September 1st marked the opening of the floodgates for the 2020 class. For the first time, NCAA DI coaches could directly contact members of the junior class. As college coaches are making their recruiting calls, high school coaches are preparing for the 2018-19 season.
Assumption
For the first season, the Rockets will take the floor with head coach Stacy Pendleton at the helm. With his state championship experience, Assumption looks to once again become a 7th Region contender. 2020 Payton Cronen is coming off a strong showing with the Louisville Lady Dream. Throughout the summer, Cronen displayed a renewed confidence and knockdown 3-point shot.
Players to watch - 2022 Nia Gandolfo, 2019 Abby McQueery, 2020 Maddie Nalley, 2020 Jacqueline Raque, 2020 Reese Sexton
Ballard
For the first time since 2014, the Bruins advanced to the 7th Region Tournament. Ballard looks to continue that success with the return of key players 2019 Cameryn Austin, 2020 Kiarah Carney, and 2020 Claire Simmons.
Brown
Though the Bears lost Pendleton as their head coach, they return all key players from a 21-win season that included a trip to the All-A State Tournament. Brown returns leading scorers 2019 Madison Cockroft and 2020 Jah Maia Bowen. 2019 Alexandria Henderson, the Bears leading rebounder, will return to the court as well.
Bullitt East
After getting upset by North Bullitt in the first round of the 6th Region Tournament, the Lady Chargers are poised for revenge. Floor general 2019 Emmy Ralph is back for her senior campaign, along with double-double machine 2020 Lexi Taylor. That duo will be complemented by 2020's Kennedy Griffin and Caroline Scott. With the sting of last year's finish still fresh, expect the Lady Chargers to be a contender for the 6th Region championship.
Butler
The Bears finished last season with an impressive 24-5 record. Now that 2019 Jaida Wiggins is cleared to play, expect Butler to make a run at the 6th Region title. 2019 Jasmine Elder is coming off a stellar summer with All-Ohio EYBL, earning offers from Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Marshall, and Toledo. With Molly Lockhart moving on to Louisville, Butler's backcourt will become its greatest strength.
Players to watch - 2021 Tiarra East, 2019 Jabriel Kelly, 2019 Ca'Leia Mills, 2019 Skylar Thomas, 2021 Dynastee White, 2019 Ashley Wright
Central
Under new head coach Deshawn Pendleton, look for Central to make some noise this season. Freshman 2022 Amaya Asher spent the summer playing for Tennessee Flight and competing in the inaugural Jr. NBA World Championship. She will play an integral role in the future success of the Yellow Jackets. Central also returns leading scorer 2019 Darian Neal and super athlete 2021 Taylor Price.
Player to watch - 2019 Shamaria Stikes
Christian Academy of Louisville
Few teams had a better off-season than CAL. The Centurians picked up 2020 Lindsey Thomas who transferred in from Highlands Latin School. They also got an experienced point guard in 2022 Jaya McClure. Though only a freshman, McClure spent the past two years playing on Whitefield Academy's Varsity team. These two additions will surely lighten the load for 2020 Mia Beam and stat stuffer 2020 Shelby Calhoun. After another great summer with Nike Lady Gym Rats, Calhoun has solidified her spot as one of the nation's best.
Player to watch - 2019 Sarah McDonald
Collegiate
Coming off a winning season, the Amazons hope to continue their success. Collegiate returns leading scorer and rebounder 2020 Haylee Wright, along with 2020 Trinitie Sutton.
Collins
The Titans are one of the few teams that return all but one player from last season. 2019's Jeian Hayes, Mary-Clare Megibben, and Trinity Warfield, along with leading scorer 2020 Olivia Federle, look to challenge their 30th District opponents.
Eastern
The Eagles boast two DI players in 2019's Mikayla Kinnard (SIUE) and Kiara Pearl (Vanderbilt). Along with post player 2021 Marissa Gasaway, Eastern has all the pieces needed to make a 7th Region Tournament run.
Player to watch - 2019 Devin Beach
Elizabethtown
The Panthers will benefit from the addition of Bethlehem transfer 2020 Ellie Taylor. She will join playmaker 2020 Whitney Hay and a team that has dominated the 17th District. If 2019 Leikyn Walker is cleared to play her, E-Town could make a deep run in the state tournament.
Player to watch - 2019 Amirr Evans
Fern Creek
The Tigers lost 2019 Miyana Foree early last season to an ACL tear. After averaging 17.3 points in just six games, Foree plans to pick up where she left off. Fern Creek also returns 2023 Jakayla Thompson who made great strides in her skillset and confidence throughout the summer.
Player to watch - 2019 Tianna Austin
Male
The Bulldogs are another team that features two DI commits. 2019's Cameron Browning (Belmont) and Joelle Johnson (Georgia State) have been a dynamic duo since their time in middle school. In their last go-around, they hope to lead the Bulldogs back to the state tournament.
Players to watch - 2019 Destiny Combs, 2021 Alana Striverson, 2022 Kynidi Striverson
Manual
The Crimsons have earned a reputation of coming up with big wins late in the season. After a strong run in last year's Sweet 16, Manual will look to have the same result with new faces. 2019 Nyah Smith will return to the court after missing last season due to a knee injury. 2019 Jolene Ballard will take over point guard duties after spending the past two years focusing on her soccer career. The one mainstay for Manual is 2019 Nila Blackford. Blackford was a highly efficient force in the paint last season and throughout the summer, resulting in offers from Hofstra, Kent State, Marshall, and UTEP.
Mercy
Only time will tell if off-season injuries to 2019's Sydney Rivette and Jaylyn Shorter will affect the Jaguars' quest for a state championship. Though the bench may be thinner, Mercy still returns star 2020's TaZiah Jenks and Hope Sivori. Both can efficiently run the show and create shots for themselves and others.
Players to watch - 2019 Raquael Reese, 2020 Paige Taylor
Oldham Co
Kentucky Christian commits 2019's Alexis and Sophia Head will spearhead the Colonels' success this season. Coming off a 29th District title, this experienced squad will look to make another run in the 8th Region Tournament.
Pleasure Ridge Park
The Panthers return top scorers 2020's Dayja Evans and Mariah Jones. If PRP can find some productivity from its bench, the Panthers could make a run for the 21st District title.
Sacred Heart
With the loss of the 2018 class, the Valkyries will look to lone senior 2019 Ashlee Harris for leadership. With the timetable of 2020 Erin Toller's return still questionable, 2020 Destinee Marshall will be charged with being Harris' backcourt mate. After spending the summer on Kentucky Premier's 17U EYBL team, 2020 Kristen Clemons is poised to be a more confident and demanding force in the paint.
South Oldham
Coming off a heartbreaking 29th District loss, the Dragons will look to avenge last season's finish. With the return of leading scorers 2019 Payton Herold and 2020 Skylar Sahatjian, South Oldham is sure to have another successful year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
2019 Sarah Fiorito - North Oldham
2022 Tiffanie Floyd - Moore
2023 Ellie Heid - Portland Christian
2019 Alyssa Howie - Spencer County
2019 Alexis Ledford - Kentucky Country Day
2019 Johmika McGee - Shawnee
2023 Triniti Ralston - Jeffersontown
2019 Abby Ritter - Whitefield Academy
2019 Tymyka Shabazz - Doss
2019 Dais Ja Trotter - Seneca
