The race for the top spot in Warren County's elementary basketball league is heating up, and some of the county's youngest athletes are delivering big performances when their teams need them most.
The Warren County Way is recognizing nine girls as Players of the Week for their performances during games played Oct. 19-22. The latest selections come after a busy stretch that saw Boyd Christian take sole possession of first place, Centertown hand Irving College its first loss and Hickory Creek's lengthy winning streak finally come to an end.
From players providing a scoring spark to young standouts finding ways to contribute against tough competition, this week's honorees represent all nine schools competing in the county's 3-5 grade league.
Special thanks goes out to all of our sponsors for the elementary Players of the Week. Those businesses are W Services Land Management and Excavation, Cole Taylor's Lawn Care, Prince HVAC, Moore Automotive and Family Care Clinic. Not only are our sponsors featured on this post and on our social media posts, they are also featured on our Games of the Week that feature the schools they sponsor.
If you'd like to join in, reach out to Jeff Simmons at wcsportsauthority@gmail.com.
Bobby Ray – Nyla Millraney
Millraney stepped up as an offensive spark for the Lady Stars in their battle against Hickory Creek, scoring six points in a 27-12 loss to one of the league's top teams. Her six points accounted for half of Bobby Ray's offense, giving the Lady Stars somebody to turn to when they needed a basket against a tough Hickory Creek defense.
Bobby Ray continues to search for consistency against county competition, but getting production from players like Millraney gives the Lady Stars something to build around as they push through the heart of their schedule.
Boyd – Juliette Ferguson
There are plenty of reasons why Boyd Christian is sitting atop the elementary standings with a perfect 6-0 record, and Ferguson is quickly becoming one of the biggest.
The talented Lady Bronco has developed into a dangerous offensive option alongside Skylyn Wright and Oly Cathcart, giving coach Haley Nowlin a trio capable of putting points on the board in a hurry. Ferguson delivered 10 points in Boyd's 24-6 victory over Eastside before coming back with another 10 in Thursday's highly anticipated showdown with Hickory Creek.
That second performance helped Boyd dismantle the previously unbeaten Lady Hawks 37-6, ending Hickory Creek's 17-game winning streak and firmly establishing the Lady Broncos as the team everybody is chasing. Ferguson's 20 points over the two victories were another reminder of just how many weapons Boyd has on the hardwood.
Centertown – Arie Shehane
Centertown has a proven scorer in Lynlee Taylor, but the Lady Warriors are showing they have plenty of other players capable of making an impact. Shehane was one of those difference-makers Thursday, scoring six points in a 16-4 victory over Morrison.
Shehane finished just behind Taylor's seven points in the win, giving Centertown another offensive threat as the Lady Warriors improved to 5-1. With defenses having to account for Taylor, contributions from players like Shehane become even more important for a team hoping to challenge for an elementary championship.
The Lady Warriors have already proven they can win big games, including their 14-6 victory over Irving College last Tuesday. Shehane's emergence as another scoring option only makes Centertown more dangerous.
Dibrell – Jacelyn Toy
The Lady Wildcats are still searching for their first victory, but Toy is among the young players continuing to battle and find ways to contribute for Dibrell.
Toy scored her first two points in Thursday's matchup against Irving College, getting herself into the scoring column against a Lady Tiger team that entered the week unbeaten. Dibrell ultimately fell 22-12, but the Lady Wildcats continued competing against one of the league's strongest squads.
For a team working to build confidence and develop its young talent, every basket matters.
Eastside – Avery Kate Basham
The Lady Bulldogs have faced some of the toughest competition in the elementary league this season, but Basham has continued to be part of Eastside's young group battling to make its mark.
Basham was among the players who found the scoring column in Eastside's season opener against Hickory Creek, and the Lady Bulldogs faced another major challenge last week against unbeaten Boyd Christian. Basham was right in the middle of the paint, battling for every board with Boyd’s big front line and helping the Lady Bulldogs try to solve the Lady Bronco press.
With Eastside sitting at 2-3 and looking to climb the standings, Basham earns recognition as one of the young players contributing to the program's efforts this season.
Hickory Creek – Hattie Scott
It's been a season filled with big expectations for Hickory Creek after last year's undefeated championship run, and Scott is among the Lady Hawks helping carry the program forward.
Scott contributed to the scoring in Thursday's showdown against Boyd Christian, finding the basket in a game where points were especially difficult to come by. Her jumper in the second half was a highlight in what turned out to be the team’s first loss in 17 tries dating back to last year.
The setback doesn't erase the work Hickory Creek put into its 5-0 start. With important matchups against Centertown and Irving College looming, Scott and her teammates will have opportunities to show how they respond when faced with adversity.
Irving College – Hadlee Green
The Lady Tigers needed somebody to provide an offensive spark after suffering their first loss of the season, and Green answered the call Thursday against Dibrell.
Green led Irving College with eight points in a 22-12 victory over the Lady Wildcats, helping coach Jasmine Evans' squad get back into the win column after a hard-fought 14-6 loss to Centertown earlier in the week.
With Willow Hertwig, Amaya Morrison and Sophia Stubblefield among the players capable of contributing for Irving College, Green's scoring gives the Lady Tigers another weapon as they prepare for a demanding stretch against Boyd Christian and Hickory Creek.
Irving College is 5-1 and still very much in the championship conversation. Performances like Green's against Dibrell are a big reason why.
Morrison – Kolee Davis
The Lady Eagles have been finding ways to battle through close games this season, and Davis is one of the young players contributing as Morrison works to climb the standings.
Davis scored two points Thursday against Centertown, accounting for half of Morrison's offense in a 16-4 defeat. The Lady Eagles ran into a tough Centertown defense, but Davis managed to get on the scoreboard against one of the league's top teams.
Morrison has already shown it can win the close ones, including a 10-9 victory over West earlier this month. With the Lady Eagles continuing to develop their offense, contributions from Davis and her teammates will be important as Morrison looks to build on its two victories.
West – Itzel Cardenas-Lopez
The Lady Wizards are still looking for their first victory, but Cardenas-Lopez gave West plenty to cheer about Monday against Irving College.
Cardenas-Lopez scored six points in a 21-12 loss to the Lady Tigers, accounting for half of West's offensive production against a team that entered the matchup unbeaten. Her ability to find the basket against one of the league's toughest opponents was a bright spot for the Lady Wizards.
West has faced a demanding early schedule, but players like Cardenas-Lopez are gaining valuable experience against some of the county's strongest competition. Her six-point performance was one of the Lady Wizards' top individual efforts of the week.
Girls standings (through Oct. 22)
Boyd 6-0
Centertown 5-1
Hickory Creek 5-1
Irving College 5-1
Eastside 2-3
Morrison 2-4
Bobby Ray 1-4
West 0-5
Dibrell 0-7
This week's schedule
Monday, Oct. 26
Bobby Ray at West, 6 p.m.
Boyd at Irving College, 6 p.m.
Centertown at Hickory Creek, 6 p.m.
Eastside at Morrison, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Centertown at Eastside, 6 p.m.
Irving College at Hickory Creek, 6 p.m.
Morrison at Bobby Ray, 6 p.m.
West at Boyd, 6 p.m.
