North Laurel made it three straight 13th Region Tournament titles earlier this month, just as predicted in this space a year ago, and won 32 of 35 games. The Lady Jaguars advanced to the second round of the Sweet Sixteen before falling to George Rogers Clark. The eight teams in this year’s regional tournament field were all ranked in my top 10 last year. Whitley County and Bell County were ranked seventh and eighth, respectively, but missed the regional tournament field with only two teams per district qualifying.
Next year’s race figures to be more competitive with North losing all-stater Brooke Nichelson and Bella Sizemore. South Laurel, this year’s runner-up, looks like a clear choice as the favorite with four starters back. North Laurel, Whitley County and Knox Central appear to be in position to provide the toughest competition, but North and Knox suffered heavy graduation losses, and Whitley doesn’t have any regional tournament experience,
It’s time for my annual look back at the best of the season that just ended and a look ahead to what you can expect next year.

All Region Team

First team
Kylie Clem, Corbin
Brooke Nichelson, North Laurel
Maci Messer, South Laurel
Abby Gilbert, Jackson County
Halle Collins, Knox Central

Second team
Shelbie Mills, Knox Central
Keevi Betts, Middlesboro
Aymanni Wynn, Harlan
Kylie Noe, Harlan
Kairi Lamb, Bell County

Third team
Jamie Buenaventura, South Laurel
Bella Sizemore, North Laurel
Peyton Mabe, South Laurel
Rachel Howard, Pineville
Mariella Claybrook, North Laurel

Fourth team
Peyshaunce Wynn, Harlan
Raegan Walker, Corbin
Ava Arnett, Pineville
Rachel Howard, Pineville
Aubree Clemons, Whitley County

Best juniors
Kairi Lamb, Bell County
Rachel Howard, Pineville
Haley Combs, North Laurel
Lauren Partin, Lynn Camp
Addy Wilson, Corbin

Best sophomores
Maci Messer, South Laurel
Shelbie Mills, Knox Central
Mariella Claybrook, North Laurel
Peyton Mabe, South Laurel
Aubree Clemons, Whitley County

Best freshmen
Peyshaunce Wynn, Harlan
Emily Lambert, Middlesboro
Hannah Jackson, Jackson County
Kylee Runions, Harlan County
Jaylee Cochran, Harlan County

2025-2026 rankings
(Players listed by grade for next season)

Girls

1. South Laurel (25-6) — Tod Windlan led the Lady Cards to a regional runner-up finish in an impressive first season in London and should be better in 2026 with four starters returning, led by 5-10 junior Maci Messer (14.3 points per game last year, 4.5 rebounds per game last year) and 5-11 junior Peyton Mabe (9.3, 4.6). Senior guard Aubrey Bundy (4.4, 2.7) and freshman guard Callie Jones (8.4, 3.1) also return. Freshmen Ryleigh Bretz (3.0, 4.4) and and Shelby Smith (2.3) are among the candidates to round out the lineup.

2. North Laurel (32-3) — Losing Brooke Nichelson, one of the state’s top players, won’t be easy to overcome, but North has established itself as one of the state’s top programs under coach Eddie Mahan and will continue to be a threat as three starters return, led by standout 6-2 junior forward Marielle Claybrook (10.0, 8.3) and senior point guard Haley Combs (5.5, 2.6). Sophomore guards Emma Carl (3.8, 4.1) and Bella Lewis (2.9) also return. Paisley Kilburn (2.7) and Bella Mahan (3.6, 2.2), both sophomores, are also in the mix for starting jobs.

3. Whitley County (17-10) — The Lady Colonels feature perhaps the region’s top frontcourt tandem with 6-3 center Aubree Clemons (12.2, 10.1) and 6-0 forward Madisyn Hopkins (12.8, 6.0) returning for their junior seasons. Junior guard Khylea Ray Collier (10.1) and junior Jonna Rice (7.7, 6.5) also return, along with sophomores Cambree Price (3.0) and Lydia Hale and junior Jaylee Cox.

4. Knox Central (25-5) — Even with three starters and three reserves graduating, including star forward Halle Collins, the Lady Panthers remain a contender with guard Shelbie Mills (18.3) returning for her junior season. Junior guard McKenzie Hensley (8.4, 3.9) is also a returning starter. Sophomore forward Kaylynn Smith (2.8, 2.4) and 5-11 junior center Maggie Gibson (4.6, 3.2) will play bigger roles, along with freshmen Shelbi Smith and Kylee Smith.

5. Clay County (16-11) — After losing 20 games a year earlier, the Lady Tigers were the region’s most improved team in 2025 and should continue their rise with everyone back, led by eighth-grade guard Maci White (15.0, 6.0). Carly Fultz (7.3, 10.4), a 5-11 junior, returns in the post. Junior forward Madison Pendland (8.9, 4.7), freshman guard Anna Samples (8.0, 2.9) and senior guard Daisy Sample (3.0) are also back. Freshman guard Holly Hacker (2.2) and 5-10 eighth-grade center Harper Rice (5.3, 5.6) also played key roles last season.

6. Corbin (19-11) — The Lady Hounds lose two of the region’s top players with Kylie Clem and Raegan Walker graduatuing. Junior guard Lydia King (10.2, 2.8) returns, along with seniors Izzy Walker (3.8, 2.7) and Addy Wilson (7.1, 2.1). Sophomore guard Kalley Stewart (3.3, 2.4) should also move into the lineup, along with either Sayde Mobley or Paityn Creech, both sophomores.

7. Harlan County (9-23)— The Lady Bears closed strong with an upset of Bell County in the 52nd District Tournament and will bring back everyone. Sophomore guards Kylee Runions (10.1, 4.0) and Jaylee Cochran (8.9, 2.8) and freshmen guards Reagan Clem (8.0, 2.2) and Jaycee Simpson (6.2ss, 2.3) gained valuable experience and should be more equipped to compete with the region’s top teams with added maturity and strength. Senior center Lacey Robinson (2.7, 4.5) and freshman forward Raegan Landa (2.7, 4.5) will share time in the post. Eighth-grade guard Taylynn Napier (3.5) provides depth in the backcourt.

8. Bell County (18-14) — The Lady Cats lost standout guard Lauren McGeorge and their top two reserves to graduation but bring back 6-3 Kairi Lamb (17.8, 13.2), who averaged a double-double last year and will likely be the region’s top center as she leads the Lady Cats into her senior season. Senior guard Neveah Allen (7.6, 2.6) also returns, along with junior forward Gracie Barton (6.7, 9.8) and junior guard Lyla Scearse (4.6, 2.3). Junior forward Rachel Redmond and freshmen guards Bristol Jordan and Aubree Miracle should also compete for starting jobs.

9. Harlan (20-13) — After breaking a nine-year drought between district titles, the Lady Dragons will be in the chase for a repeat in a balanced 52nd despite losing three starters to graduation along with 35 points and 18 rebounds. Sophomore guard Peyshaunce Wynn (12.6, 2.9) made it clear she was ready to take over as the team leader with a 30-point explosion against Corbin in the regional tournament., Senior guard Cheyenne Rhymer (9.2, 4.2) also returns, along with senior forward Raegan Goodman (2.0, 2.3) and sophomore guard Addison Campbell (3.7, 3.2). Junior forward Gracie Hensley and senior guard Shelby Doan are also candidates.

10. Middlesboro (14-13) — Losing star guard Keevi Betts is a big blow, but the Lady Jackets had their best season in a decade and should remain a factor in the 52nd District. Sophomore guard Emily Lambert (12.0, 2.4) was one of the 52nd District’s most improved players and should take on a bigger role in 2026, along with junior guards Millie Roberts (9.6, 3.6) and Morgan Martin (3,3, 5.0). Trinity Derossett, a 5-8 junior, and Addison Lucas (3.4, 2.7), a 5-8 senior, will again share time in the post.

Best of the rest:

Pineville (11-18)— The Lady Lions will seek a third straight trip to regional competition despite losing two of their three top scorers. Pineville will rebuild around senior center Rachel Howard (17.3, 8.7). Sophomore guard Addison Arnett and sophomore forward Madison Johnson (6.1, 6.9) are also back. Freshmen guards Clara Strange (2.9, 2.1), Hannah Abner and Kaelyn Burnett are candidates to round out the lineup.

Jackson County (14-15) — After four straight runner-up finishes in the 49th District, the Lady Generals will have a hard time keeping that streak alive after losing four starters to graduation. Sophomore forward Hannah Jackson (4.6, 3.2) is the only starter returning. Junior guard Baylee Berry (4.7, 2.3) will move into the lineup, along with senior forward Scarlett Peel, who missed last season due to injury.

Barbourville (8-21) — The Lady Tigers dropped from 15 wins to eight after losing three starters and will try to bounce back next year with sophomore Marleigh Martin (11.2, 6.4) and freshman Breanna Engle (7.9, 3.9) returning in the backcourt and senior Layla Brock (10.8, 5.9) back at forward, Sophomores Macie Hoskins (3.7, 5.7), Sadie Hoffman (2.9, 2.0) and Chloe Brown (2.3) are leading candidates to complete the starting unit.

Lynn Camp (7-16) — With a senior-dominated team returning, the Lady Cats could make a push for their first trip to the regional since winning the 51st District in 2019. Lauren Partin (19.2, 12.2), a 5-9 senior guard, returns along with senior guards Madison Weymers (7.7, 5.6) and Lily Henize (5.7, 3.6) and 6-2 senior center Emily Gray (2.8, 4.2). Sophomore forward Aubrey Hollin (3.9, 3.2), sophomore guard Bella Fox (2.2, 2.7) and eighth-grade guard Jayden Petrey (4.2) are also in the mix.

Williamsburg (7-19) — Getting out of the always tough 50th District has been a difficult chore for the Lady Jackets, who haven’t made it to regional competition since 1994. Four starters are back next year, including juniors Abby Moses (4.8, 4.4), Presley Spicer (9.8, 10.3) and Braylee Evans (6.7, 3.4) and sophomore forward Ellie Breeding (4.8, 2.4).

Oneida Baptist (3-16) — Junior forward Bailey Bristow (17.2, 11.9) scored over half of the Lady Mountaineers’ points last year and returns along with 5-11 junior center Jackaylah Lewis (3.3, 6.2) and eighth-grade guard Brilee Jackson. Junior guard Taegan Hogan (2.4, 2.3) will also move into the lineup. Freshmen Emma Ohe, Mimi Olayinka and Estrella Perez and sophomore Janna Lagos should also see action.