In years past, it’s been pretty easy to figure out who the one, two or even three players that look to be the frontrunners for the 13th Region Girls’ Player of the Year, but things have been a tad bit different this season.
Yes, the 13th Region has had numerous girls’ players turn in impressive individual efforts this season but have they been good enough to put them at the forefront as the frontrunner or frontrunners?
That’s the big question.
So many variables go into just who are the front runners.
Numbers or shall we say, “stats” of course is what most look at and understandably so, but some other variables that have to be included is 1. The balance of talent on each respective team. 2. Are the players making their teammates better? 3. And two huge tells, just who are the players going up against, or basically the strength of each teams’ respective schedule, and are they helping their respective teams win?
While some are going up against the best of the best day in and day out, well, some are not, so numbers or “stats” could be misconstrued at times.
But in the end, everything is subjective.
And in this day in age, someone is going to be upset.
They’re going to be folks that will say, “Oh, so and so has it out for this team or player, or let’em keep hating.”
Well to be honest, I’ve done this for a long time, and I’ve never ran into any journalist or media outlet that has said, they “hate” a specific player or team.
And, I’ll always revert back to my favorite saying one of my friends told me a long time ago — “Truth sounds like hate, to those that hate the truth.”
You also have some that like to deflect the blame on why they believe players aren’t getting the respect they deserve.
Well, to the folks feel that way, take the next step, and help promote the players you feel don’t get the respect they deserve.
Nominate your respective players for Player of the Week, and send weekly updated stats for your respective players, and send scorebooks of each of your respective teams’ games in a timely manner, win or lose, so the student-athletes can get promoted.
Just a warning, some of my players’ selections might have more written about them compared to the others. I know they’ll be some counting each players’ summary to see who has the most words, and think, “Hmm, that means this is his Player of the Year,” but believe me, it doesn’t mean a thing.
And for the folks, who will say something about the graphic that doesn’t show all of the players that I will be mentioning below, relax, the template could only use nine pictures. I put all 15 players in, and it randomly selected them.
With that said, let’s take a closer look at who we believe is leading the way.
They players are listed in alphabetical order:
Mataya Ausmus, Bell County
Ausmus is one of the most underrated players in the region. She’s athletic and very talented. When her team needs her to score, she can. She’s solid defensively, too, and also played a role in her team’s run of capturing the Kentucky 2A, Section 7 title along with an Final Four appearance.
Darcie Anderson, Corbin
Anderson has been injured some this season but that still doesn’t keep her off my list.
If Corbin needs a basket, she can do it. If they need a key defensive stop, you can bank on Anderson coming through.
She does so many thing to make Corbin one of the best teams in the state.
Kylie Clem, Corbin
Clem has helped take some of the scoring load of off Kallie Housley, and return has shown she can play with the best in the state.
Corbin’s played one heck of a schedule this season, and Clem has shown she can score and play defense against some of the best teams in the state.
Halle Collins, Knox Central
Collins continues to put up impressive numbers, and dominates on the offensive side of the court. She can take over games at any time. She gives 110 percent effort each time on the court.
Not only can she score with the best of them, but she is also a top-notch rebounder as well.
Emily Cox, South Laurel
Cox is a hard worker no doubt about it.
When she is scoring in the 20s, you can almost guarantee South Laurel is going to win. She can hurt teams from the outside, or in the paint.
Very underrated defensively, and very determined player when it comes to rebounding.
Abby Gilbert, Jackson County
I’ve said this from Day One — Gilbert is the most underrated player in the region. She has a knack of finding the basket, and is clutch when her team needs a basket.
Gilbert is solid defensively as well. Just an overall top notch player.
Kallie Housley, Corbin
Housley was my top ranked player heading into the season. She’s a warrior in my book.
Housley knows what it takes to win the big games, and when needed, she can lead the way by scoring 25 points or dishing out 10 assists.
Corbin plays one of the toughest schedules in the state, so she’s has been going up against some of the best players day in and day out while continuing to help lead her team to wins whether it’s making key defensive plays, pulling down a rebound or dishing out an important assist.
Nadine Johnson, Pineville
Johnson is one of the best guards in the region. She can do it all, score, rebound, and dish out assists. Also solid on the defensive end of the court, too.
Ella Karst, Harlan County
Karst is quietly establishing herself as one of the best players in the region. She’s hard to stop on the offensive side of the court, and can be deadly shooting the ball. Top notch shooter, and scorer. Karst can defend with the best of them as well.
Chloe McKnight, North Laurel
McKnight continues to improve each game she plays. She’s a dominant force in the paint, and can take over a game on offense or defense at any time.
She’s one of many players in the region that can be a game changer.
Brooke Nichelson, North Laurel
I like what Nichelson does. She doesn’t score 20 points a game but she alters the way teams play by her defensive play.
Plain and simple, she’s the best defensive player in the 13th Region. Her motor never quits.
The key for Nicholson is stay out of foul trouble. When she does that, she’s as good as anyone in the region.
Emily Sizemore, North Laurel
Sizemore might score 20 points per game but she does so many other things to help her teammates improve, and her team to win.
She can score when you need a basket, and she can also get the rebound or dish out the assist when needed.
Sizemore is also a defensive force. She can flat out make a key defensive stop when needed.
Kenady Ward, Jackson County
Ward is another game changer. She’s one of the top post players in the region. She can score with the best of them while altering many, many shots on the defensive end of the court.
Gracie Jo Wilder, Bell County
Wilder has turned in a solid season so far, and is fun to watch. She can score, and causes lots of problems on the defensive side with her quick hands. Wilder forces teams into a lot of turnovers, and can block a lot of shots.
She can hurt teams in many ways, and has already played a role in her team’s run of capturing the Kentucky 2A, Section 7 title along with an Final Four appearance.
Aymanni Wynn, Harlan
Wynn continues to improve as the season progresses. She’s another player that knows how to come up with a big basket when needed. She’s also pretty darn good defensively, too.
