Who are Kentucky’s top 25 girls high school basketball teams for 2024-25?

There’s little sign head coach Donna Moir’s second Sacred Heart dynasty will falter in pursuit of an unprecedented fifth straight Girls’ Sweet 16 state basketball championship and record ninth overall.

That’s because this year’s Herald-Leader preseason No. 1 Valkyries return Louisiana State signee ZaKiyah Johnson, possibly the most decorated player in Kentucky girls high school basketball history.

The versatile 6-foot-1 senior wing has garnered three consecutive Kentucky Gatorade player of the year honors to go with three straight girls state tournament most valuable player awards. That could make Johnson a virtual lock for this season’s Miss Basketball, regardless of how the 2024-25 campaign plays out.

And despite losing six seniors off last year’s squad, Sacred Heart still has two other Herald-Leader preseason top 25 players in sophomore point guard Amirah “Tootie” Jordan and junior Christian Academy-Louisville transfer Bri Wilkins.

All that talent and Moir’s focus on the fundamentals are a big reason why 101 of the 108 coaches who voted in the Herald-Leader’s preseason survey ranked Sacred Heart No. 1.

“ZaKiyah Johnson is a tremendous leader and has a solid supporting cast,” Moir said. “This year’s success will be defined by the team defense. The team has quickness and speed that should provide an entertaining style. … The next generation of Valkyries will not disappoint as the work ethic is solid.”

No. 2 George Rogers Clark, among others, could foil Sacred Heart’s plans. The Cardinals return Michigan signee Ciara Byars to the lineup after her midseason knee injury last year. And 7th Region rival Assumption could pose a significant hurdle for the Valkyries as they come in ranked at No. 5 this preseason.

Here’s a look at this year’s Herald-Leader High School Girls’ Basketball Preseason Top 25 as voted on by the state’s coaches with a brief summary on what we know about the top 10 teams and a note about each of the next 15. Each team name has a link to its schedule.

THE TOP 10

(No. 1 votes, then last season’s record in parentheses)

1. Sacred Heart (101) (31-7): Sacred Heart played its summer schedule without ZaKiyah Johnson, who was with the U18 national team. Head coach Donna Moir said her other players “quickly adapted to their new roles.” Morgan Frey, a 6-1 senior, should step into a starting role alongside Johnson (18.9 ppg), Bri Wilkins (22.2 ppg) and Tootie Jordan (6.5 ppg). She’ll be needed for rebounding after 6-3 senior center Addison Kincaid suffered an ACL injury in an offseason workout. In addition to their four straight state titles, the Valkyries have won five straight 7th Region championships.

2. George Rogers Clark (7) (30-5): The Cardinals have represented the 10th Region at the Girls’ Sweet 16 for seven of the last eight seasons. Ciara Byars, a 6-2 senior Michigan signee, has been part of much of that run. A midseason knee injury ended her junior year, but she’s back and has every other starter with her. That lineup includes double-digit scorers Kennedy Stamper, Jailenn Green and Teigh Yeast along with sharpshooter Anaya Chestnut and the hyper-athletic Khania Jones. Though a bit undersized for coach Robbie Graham’s liking, he believes the Cards’ strengths are “depth, experience and a hunger for winning.”

3. Franklin County (30-7): Coach Joey Thacker has a veteran squad that returns four starters to pursue another 11th Region title. The Flyers have won seven of the last 10. The team includes seniors Leia Hogan (11.2 ppg), Juliana Frazee (9.8 ppg), and Madison Jackson (7.7 ppg).

4. Bethlehem (27-9): The defending 5th Region champions return Notre Dame signee Leah Macy (25 ppg), a 6-2 senior forward who ranks as one of the top players in the nation. Fellow senior and soccer standout Tessa Miles (14 ppg) also returns to a team that will need big contributions from sophomores Kaylee McElroy and Loren Macy, Leah’s younger sister.

5. Assumption (23-10): Manual transfer Ashlinn James (16.3 ppg), a 5-9 junior already committed to Indiana, bolsters a Rockets lineup that returns starters Lauren Campisano (11.3 ppg) and Kyleigh Hall (10.5 ppg). Add in Christian Academy-Louisville transfers Bailee Duck (13.9 ppg) and Ava Moore (8.3 ppg) and you have a legitimate challenger to Sacred Heart’s reign in the 7th Region.

6. Cooper (31-5): After graduating four starters, the defending 9th Region champions will rebuild around Haylee Noel, a 5-10 sophomore who already has multiple Division I offers, including Western Kentucky. Senior Zene Thompson and junior Addyson Brissey will be among those asked to step up. Coach Justin Holthaus believes this group has “the ability to score at a high level.”

7. Henderson County (26-8): The 2nd Region’s most dominant program brings back everyone from its state quarterfinals team, including leading scorers Brooklyn Gibson (13 ppg), A’Tylia Green (11.8 ppg) and Allyson Rideout (11.6 ppg). “We feel like we will be deeper this season, potentially playing 9-10 players during a game,” coach Stephen Haile said.

8. Ashland Blazer (26-7): Eastern Kentucky commit Kenleigh Woods (22.1 ppg), a 5-6 senior point guard, leads a Kittens squad eager to regain the 16th Region title. Starters Gabby Karle and Aryanna Gulley, both juniors, also return. “These girls have put in a lot of work over the summer and preseason and have a different feel to them,” coach Stacy Davis said.

9. Danville Christian (29-3): The defending 12th Region champs took the Girls Sweet 16 by storm last season as 6-6 Louisville commit Grace Mbugua (25.7 ppg) wowed Rupp in the Warriors’ state tourney debut appearance. DCA will be without Mbugua until at least January due to offseason knee surgery, but expect her team to be on all cylinders come late February.

10. McCracken County (32-6): A younger group of Mustangs take the reins of the three-time defending 1st Region champions who finished state runner-up to Sacred Heart each of the last two years. Title-game starters Reagan Hill, a 5-11 junior, and Ava Hughes a 5-7 freshman, return.

THE NEXT 15

(With last year’s record and a brief note)

11. Franklin-Simpson (30-2): LaReesha Cawthorn (17.3 ppg), a 6-0 senior Tennessee Tech signee, returns to lead a talented Wildcats squad that got stunned by Bowling Green in the 4th Region semis.

12. North Laurel (29-6): The Jaguars go for a third straight 13th Region title led by Murray State signee Brooke Nichelson (18 ppg).

13. Notre Dame (21-10): A deep and experienced team led by 6-5 senior Yale commit Sophia Gibson (13.1 ppg) will be a factor in the loaded 9th Region.

14. Frederick Douglass (23-11): Jaelee Knowles (10 ppg), a 5-11 sophomore, is the leading returning scorer for a revamped Broncos team led by senior Transylvania signee Kate Baker.

15. Anderson County (32-3): The defending 8th Region champions are led by 6-0 senior Campbellsville commit Lainey Johnson (19.1 ppg).

16. Manual (23-8): Three-point sharpshooter Electra Lovely-Tobert (11.2 ppg), a 5-2 senior, leads a young Crimsons squad aiming to reach back-to-back 7th Region title games.

17. Butler (28-9): Senior Anieja Russell (5 ppg) is the lone returning starter for the defending 6th Region champions.

18. Owensboro Catholic (29-5): Seniors Karmin Riley (12 ppg) and Aubrey Randolph (8.6 ppg) will lead a deep, but young Aces team.

19. Holy Cross (Covington) (28-6): The defending All “A” Classic champions return two starters, including 5-10 senior Aumani Nelson (10.5 ppg).

20. Simon Kenton (21-11): With his son Brendon off to the college ranks, longtime coach Jeff Stowers steps back in to lead a team that has four starters back, including standout sophomore point guard Brynli Pernell (16.1 ppg).

21. Bullitt East (20-15): Leading scorers Anna Rodgers (13.6 ppg), Mollie Johnston (12.8 ppg) and Anna Tinelli (12.5 ppg) return.

22. Bowling Green (24-11): Seniors Katy Smiley (10.7 ppg) and NaTaya Wardlow (7.3) lead a Purples team that has a lot of players stepping up to varsity this season.

23. Owensboro (21-12): Leading scorers Shalyn Sprinkles (14.1 ppg) and Heleina John (10 ppg), both seniors, return for the defending 3rd Region champions.

24. Christian County (18-10): The Colonels return all five starters, led by 5-6 junior Anaysia Bagwell (19 ppg).

25. Calloway County (27-7): Sayler Lowe (20.7 ppg) and Jaidan Koch (15.7 ppg) led the Lakers in scoring as sophomores last year.

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES

(Teams mentioned on at least two ballots in points order)

Pikeville, Highlands, Meade County, Bardstown, Ryle, Knox Central, Daviess County, West Jessamine, Russell, Johnson Central.

METHODOLOGY

Our annual survey was emailed to all 267 girls basketball head coaches using their email registered with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Multiple attempts were made to encourage every school to participate. Coaches were asked to select their top 10 teams and points were assigned based on a team’s position on the ballot (10 points for No. 1, nine points for No. 2, eight points for No. 3, etc.), and tabulated across all ballots received. Some schools participated in the survey but declined to vote due to unfamiliarity with players and teams outside of their own area. A total of 108 coaches (40.4 percent) voted in our top-10 teams poll of the 168 coaches (69.9 percent) who responded to the survey and supplied information about their teams. Thanks to all.

This story was originally published November 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

Jared Peck

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-488-2883

Jared Peck, the Herald-Leader’s Digital Sports Writer, covers high school athletics and has been with the company as a writer and editor for more than 20 years. Support my work with a digital subscription