Top 10: The 11th Region’s best girls basketball teams for 2023-24
Frederick Douglass became the first girls basketball team not named Franklin County to win the 11th Region Tournament championship since 2019, and according to a survey of the region’s coaches, they’re the favorites to make it a repeat.
The Broncos garnered eight preseason No. 1 votes as the top team in the 11th from the 16 coaches who participated in the Herald-Leader’s preseason survey.
That surprised Douglass coach Daryl Moberly a bit.
“I’m surprised because (Franklin County’s Joey) Thacker is the GOAT, man,” Moberly said of the Flyers’ coach. “If Thacker had a team full of middle-schoolers they’d still probably make the top three.”
Thacker’s squad came in at No. 2 in the poll and had six No. 1 votes. Madison Central and Madison Southern had one each.
Douglass has reason for optimism. The Broncos have one of the best inside-out tandems in the state with 6-2 senior center/forward Ayanna-Sarai Darrington and 5-7 junior guard Niah Rhodes.
They are two of three starters who return for Douglass and were part of their Girls Sweet 16 team that suffered a gut-wrenching 59-57 first-round loss to North Laurel in Rupp Arena.
“We definitely learned from that game and what we need to do this year to try to get back there,” Moberly said. “You have to continuously play hard. You can’t take any breaks. Defense wins ball games. We have to be a little bit more disciplined.”
Douglass won’t get many breaks in its schedule this season. Moberly has lined up a monster that includes Herald-Leader preseason No. 2 George Rogers Clark in Winchester on Dec. 15, No. 10 Butler at Franklin County on Jan. 6, No. 15 North Laurel in London on Jan. 20, No. 9 Ryle at home on Jan. 31, No. 4 Cooper in Union on Feb. 9 and No. 1 Sacred Heart in Louisville to close the regular season on Feb. 23.
If that’s not the toughest schedule of anyone in the state, it’s close. And it comes with one thing in mind.
“We want to go back to Rupp and be a contender for a state title,” Moberly said.
Here’s a rundown of the 11th Region’s best teams for the 2023-24 season in order of how they were rated in our survey, with last year’s record and a brief summary. Coaches were asked to “rank the top 10 teams” in the region.
1. Frederick Douglass (24-9)
The Broncos like to play fast and get shots up, but they had trouble keeping pace with North Laurel in the state tournament. That has put a greater emphasis on defense and Moberly believes his players have made strides there.
Rhodes (17.7 points) is a fearless 3-point shooter. Darrington (13.0 points) developed an incredible touch around the basket and has been working on her jumper. She recently signed with Central Michigan.
Despite not having the role of starting point guard last year, junior Kate Baker (8.7 points) led the team in assists. She’ll be on the point full-time this season. Unfortunately, Douglass lost senior forward Victory Sledge for the season due to injury but expects 5-10 freshman Jaelee Knowles to step up.
2. Franklin County (26-8)
The Flyers have size inside and out with 6-1 senior Bellarmine commit Rachel Shropshire (10.6 points) at guard and 6-2 junior Juliana Frazee (10.1 points) in the post. Logan Kennedy (9.4 points) Leia Hogan (6.6) and Makiyia Wheeler (2.8) all got starts last year.
“We should be more experienced at the guard position, which is where we struggled last season,” Thacker said. “Better speed and shooters should also help us on the defensive end and in transition.”
3. Madison Central (22-7)
The Indians return four starters — juniors Nataya Strader (10.4 points), Brittany Campbell (9.0) and Brooke Campbell (4.0) and senior Eden Carter (6.5). They helped the Indians capture the 44th District title and earned region coach of the year honors for Scott True.
Franklin County transfer Cam Ridderikhoff (4.8 points as a Flyer), a 5-9 junior, returns to action after sitting out last season.
“We will be small and rebounding will be a concern,” True said. “However, we will be quicker, deeper and should shoot the three much better than last season.”
4. Madison Southern (18-15)
The Eagles will wait until at least January for Madison Central transfer Bailey Hensley to fully recover from an ACL injury. As the Indians’ leading scorer and rebounder last seaso,n she should give a boost to a team that is already pretty formidable.
Hadley French (14.4 points), a 5-4 guard who led the team in scoring as a freshman and made 46.4% of her 3-pointers last year, returns to the starting lineup along with junior point guard Ashlan Estep (4.7 points) and sophomore forward Laci Sandlin (9.0).
Coach Josh Curtis said his team will need to build depth from a very young bench.
“It will be a learning year for us, especially until Bailey Hensley gets back in January,” Curtis said. “We will be very quick and be able to put five kids on the floor that can shoot, pass and dribble at all times.”
5. Great Crossing (19-14)
The Warhawks return two starters — seniors 5-7 guard Olivia Tierney (8.0 points) and 5-11 forward Ava Schureman (6.2). Kennedy Harrison, a 6-0 junior, and freshman guards Nia Carr and Adrianna Brown will have significant roles.
“I think we’ll be able to play fast and try and speed teams up,” Coach Matt Walls said. “It may take us a little time to get to our potential, but I love the makeup of our team.”
6. Henry Clay (18-11)
Henry Clay coach Ashley Garrard believes she has the best point guard in the region in junior Ariyana Sutton (9.6 points). She has a couple of proven scorers, too, in senior Allison Stone (14.7 points) and Timarri Miller (11.9).
Garrard lists rebounding as her primary concern. “To give us a chance to compete we have to have at least four players crashing the boards on every shot, offensively and defensively.”
7. Bryan Station (14-18)
Three starters return, led by 6-3 junior Albertine “AB” Cyuzuzo (10.6 points). She’ll have help inside from 5-11 senior Kailyn Gentry (7.7 points). Senior Chole Do steps into the point guard role. Sophomores Akiyah Ward and Elayna Wade will be counted on.
“We have been competitive over the last couple seasons in spurts,” Coach Serena Sandusky said. “We’re looking to showcase that more consistently through the duration of the season.”
8. Lexington Catholic (19-11)
New coach Michael Menifee inherits one returning starter from last season’s 43rd District champs. He’ll look to build around two-sport standout Lydia Kennedy (7.9 points), who is also part of the Knights’ highly ranked softball team.
Menifee comes to LexCath after stints at Nelson County, Lexington Christian and Danville. He led the Admirals to back-to-back All “A” Classic appearances in two seasons there.
9. Berea (15-15)
The Pirates’ campaign for a sixth straight All “A” Classic region title looks promising with their top three scorers back in Abigail Beard (10.6 points), Sophie Brewer (8.6) and Maddy King (7.2).
“Depth is an issue, but our starting lineup features a lot of experience,” Coach Dammian Stepp said. “I feel we could be a sleeper in our district.”
10. Scott County (9-19)
Newport transfer Kaylen Perry (11.7 points) comes in to play the point and joins a roster that includes four returning starters led by 5-8 senior Maleiya Moore (14.1 points) and 5-7 junior N’Mya Summers (8.9).
Coach Steve Helton is looking to return to the fast-paced, pressing style his teams were known for before the formation of Great Crossing High School split its talent pool.
“Our goal will be to find those combinations that allow us to control the pace of the game and continue our up-tempo fast break style of play,” Helton said.
ROUNDING OUT
Other teams in order of votes: Tates Creek, Lafayette, Lexington Christian, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Frankfort, Model, Sayre, Western Hills.
METHODOLOGY
The 11th Region’s 18 coaches were asked to rank the 10 best teams in the 11th Region. The list reflects all the players put forth by the 16 coaches who responded to the top 10 teams question in the survey.
2023-24 SEASON PREVIEW
This is the eighth of eight stories the Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com is publishing previewing the 2023-24 high school boys and girls basketball seasons, which were scheduled to tip off Nov. 27.
Herald-Leader 11: Names to know in 11th Region girls basketball this season
Top 10: The 11th Region’s best boys basketball teams for the 2023-24 season
Herald-Leader 11: Names to know in 11th Region boys basketball this season
Who are Kentucky’s top 25 girls high school basketball teams for 2023-24?
Who are Kentucky’s top 25 girls high school basketball players for 2023-24?
Who are Kentucky’s top 25 boys high school basketball teams for 2023-24?
Who are Kentucky’s top 25 boys high school basketball players for 2023-24?
