The Lady Tigers figure to be in the thick of things in the 2nd Region basketball chase this season — and that’s exactly where they find themselves in the preseason rankings.
The Lexington Herald-Leader has Caldwell County’s girls ranked the highest — No. 2 in the region behind Webster County.
The Lexington newspaper’s coaches poll lists the top teams in the 2nd Region this way: 1. Webster County; 2. Caldwell County; 3. Henderson County; 4. Madisonville-North Hopkins; 5. Christian County; 6. Hopkinsville; 7. Union County; 8. University Heights.
Caldwell has two of the top eight players in the region, according to the Herald-Leader: 1. Lynette Harris, Webster; 2. Tayla Foster, Madisonville; 3. Ariel Barnes, Henderson; 4. KeKe Drake, Madisonville; 5. Stephanie Householder, Webster; 6. Jayme Jackson, Caldwell; 7. Ellie Steiner, Webster; 8. Emily Meeks, Caldwell.
Webster is the only team from this region ranked among the state’s top 25. The Lady Trojans, who went 23-8 last season before losing to Henderson in the regional finale, are ranked 23rd.
Householder, a 5-foot-9 senior from Webster, is the only player from this region ranked among the top 25 players in the state at No. 24. However, the Lady Tigers will face No. 19 Averee Fields (6-foot, junior) of Calloway County during the season and could see No. 5 Chasity Gooch (6-foot, junior) of Franklin-Simpson in the Louisville PRP tourney.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers are not ranked as highly in the Courier-Journal’s coaches poll, checking in at No. 4 in the region: 1. Webster; 2. Madisonville; 3. Henderson; 4. Caldwell; 5. Christian; 6. Hopkinsville; 7. University Heights; 8. Trigg County; 9. Union County; 10. Hopkins County Central.
Webster is No. 19 in the state’s top 25.
Here are the region’s top players according to the Courier-Journal: 1. Lynette Harris, Webster County; 2. Tayla Foster, Madisonville; 3. Stephanie Householder Webster County; 4. Ariel Barnes, Henderson; 5. Kerstin Hayes, Webster; 6. Jayme Jackson, Caldwell; 7. Keke Drake, Madisonville; 8. Lyndi Tedder, Madisonville; 9. Savannah Pepper, Caldwell; 10. Hannah Murphy, Hopkins Central.
The Courier-Journal doesn’t have any players from this region among its top 25 in the state.
On the boys side, Caldwell isn’t rated among the top half of the region after winning just two games last year. However, Lyon County is ranked around the middle of the pack.
Here are the Lexington paper’s ratings: 1. Christian County; 2. Henderson County; 3. Hopkinsville; 4. Hopkins Central; 5. University Heights; 6. Madisonville; 7. Lyon County; 8. Union County.
Defending champion Christian is a solid choice at No. 1. The Colonels are ranked No. 7 in the state’s top 25.
Here are the players in the 2nd Region: 1. Shaquille Wilson, Christian; 2. Brock Stone, Henderson; 3. Donovan Kates, Christian; 4. Anthony Hickey, Christian; 5. Darnell Davis, Hopkinsville; 6. Brayon Mason, Hopkinsville; 7. Veontae Lewis, Christian; 8. Matt McGowan, UHA.
Christian’s Wilson is the only player rated among the state’s top 25. The 6-4 senior is No. 17 on the Herald-Leader’s list.
Here are the Courier-Journal’s rankings for this region: 1. Christian; 2. Henderson; 3. Hopkinsville; 4. University Heights; 5. Hopkins Central; 6. Madisonville; 7. Lyon; 8. Union; 9. Webster; 10. Trigg.
Top players: 1. Shaquille Wilson, Christian; 2. Donovan Kates, Christian; 3. Anthony Hickey, Christian; 4. Brock Stone, Henderson; 5. Darnell Davis, Hopkinsville; 6. Je’Vonte Hughes, Hopkins Central; 7. Brayon Mason, Hopkinsville; 8. Taylor Gray, Lyon; 9. Veontae Lewis, Christian; 10. Matt McGowan, University Heights.
Christian’s Wilson is the 14th rated player in the state, according to the Courier-Journal.
••• Important dates
The Touchstone Energy All ‘A’ Classic small-school championship will be Jan. 27-31 at Eastern Kentucky McBrayer Arena in Richmond.
The 49th Houchens Girls State Basketball Tournament will be March 10-13 at Western Kentucky’s Diddle Arena in Bowling Green. Diddle Arena will host the girls tourney through at least 2011.
The 93rd National City Boys Sweet Sixteen will be March 17-20 at Rupp Arena in Lexington. The boys state tourney will be played at Rupp Arena through at least 2015.
Kentucky High School Athletic Association postseason play begins with district tournament action the week of Feb. 22.
