YourSportsEdge.com will have weekly rankings of the Second Region girls’ basketball teams throughout the regular season. Here are our first rankings of the 2017-18 season.
1 Webster County (21-13) – The Lady Trojans have been the region’s bridesmaid the past three seasons, falling to Henderson County in the region title game each year. With the return of four starters from last year, including leading scorers Jessica Winders and Karlee Keeney, Webster County could be primed to win their first region title since 1998.
2 Christian County (17-14) – The Lady Colonels dropped five of seven games to end last year, including losses to Hopkinsville in the district championship and Webster County in the region semifinals. Christian County returns a solid nucleus around 6-3 center Trinitee Jackson who is gaining solid D-1 interest. With a few breaks, the Lady Colonels could make a return to the Sweet 16.
3 Henderson County (28-6) – Yes, the Lady Colonels lost a bunch from last year’s squad that won their fifth straight region title. However, there is a reason why Jeff Haile has more wins than any coach in the region (695) and can figure out a way to develop his young talent around Jaylee Carter, the team’s lone returning starter.
4 Hopkinsville (23-9) – The Lady Tigers lost their top scorer and rebounder to graduation but have a solid backcourt back in London Foster, Breon Oldham, and Yogi McKnight. If they can incorporate 6-4 Zakyra Stallworth into the offense more, the Lady Tigers could win 20 games again.
5 University Heights Academy (14-14) – The mystery team of the region is UHA. Anshanique Leavell averaged 16 points a game last year but no other returning player averaged more than six points a game. If veteran coach Taylor Sparks can mold his young talent, the Lady Blazers could be a surprise team in the region.
6 Madisonville (18-13) – The Lady Maroons lost two starters, including center Molly Stone who has taken her talents to Lindsey Wilson. They still have enough to be the favorite in the Seventh District, which could mean a favorable first round draw in the region tourney if they do win.
7 Caldwell County (17-11) – 17 wins was not enough to get Caldwell County into the region tournament last year. With their top three scorers not returning, Coach Malissa Bush still has some experience returning at key spots.
8 Livingston Central (11-17) – The return of Tabby Padon, Lauren Wring, and Hailey Stafford should be enough for the Cardinals to be the Fifth District favorite. Coach Jim Parks needs to find depth early to make them an All-A Region contender.
9 Lyon County (19-11) – The Lady Lyons lost their starting backcourt and will rely on youth and inexperience early at the guard spot. The return of Hannah Holloman and Allison Murphy will help make that transition smoother.
10 Crittenden County (25-8) – Another mystery team in the region is Crittenden County, who mist replace their all-time leading scorer in Cassidy Moss. Madison Champion and Mauri Collins return for Coach Shannon Hodge.
11 Hopkins County Central (11-20) – The Lady Storm were one point away from a district title last year after an upset win over Caldwell County in the first round. Coach Todd Webb lost some key parts but has a wealth of young talent back.
12 Union County (9-20) – Derek Phillips takes over a Union County team that only has four upperclassmen on the roster. The first year coach is very familiar with his roster having coached them at the middle school level for several seasons.
13 Dawson Springs (11-19) – The Lady Panthers have some working parts returning that could surprise the teams of the Seventh District. Erin Orten is one of the more underrated players in the region and should feed off guard Brooklyn Cotton.
14 Trigg County (6-20) – The Lady Wildcats return double-double performer Lauren Oliver, and junior Bethany Stallons makes the move to point guard. Trigg has a lot of young talent but may be a year away from seeing them be consistent contributors.
15 Fort Campbell (0-26) – The first priority for first-year Coach Mindy Hargrove is to snap the program’s 31-game losing streak. She will try and accomplish this with a young roster.
