After her Harlan County Lady Bears lost four starters from last year’s 22-10 squad, standout senior guard Ella Karst had to know she would have an even bigger target on her back as a senior after leading the team in scoring each of the previous three years.
Karst responded to the challenge and continued to thrive as she helped the Lady Bears post a 16-13 mark going into next week’s 52nd District Tournament. Karst is scoring 28.2 points per game to rank third in the state and was rewarded for her outstanding season Friday with her selection as the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches 13th Region Girls Player of the Year.
“Ella epitomizes the definition of hard work and determination. She has spent countless hours working on her game, and I am thankful she is being recognized for her dedication,” Harlan County coach Anthony Nolan said. “The 13th region Player of the Year and Ms. Basketball candidate is the highest honor, and Ella is an excellent candidate for the award.”
Karst, who has committed to play at the University of Virginia-Wise, ranks second to Harlan’s Jordan Brock on the list of the county’s all-time leading scorers. She is second to Blair Green on the all-time HCHS scoring list.
Harlan County High School swept both of the top player awards as Trent Noah was named the region’s boys player of the year. Both Noah and Karst are also finalists for The The Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation’s 2024 Mr. And Miss Basketball awards.
Harlan County coach Kyle Jones has been named Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches 13th Region Boys’ Coach of the Year while North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan captured the 13th Region Girls’ Coach of the Year honors.