The championship race is heating up in Warren County's girls 3-5 grade basketball league, but there was plenty of excitement beyond the top of the standings last week.
Irving College survived a defensive slugfest against rival Hickory Creek, Centertown kept the pressure on unbeaten Boyd and Bobby Ray picked up two victories to climb closer to a winning record. The Lady Broncos continued their dominant run, while several players throughout the league delivered performances worth recognizing.
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 in these stories and on our social media posts, they are also featured on our Games of the Week that feature the schools they sponsor.
The Warren County Way wants to recognize a standout player from each of the county's nine elementary schools for the week of Oct. 26–31. Here are this week's selections:
Bobby Ray – Nyla Millraney
The Lady Stars are finding ways to win, and Millraney has been a big part of their recent success. She scored eight points in Monday's 19-11 victory over West, then added two in Thursday's defensive battle with Morrison. Bobby Ray held on for a 6-5 victory over the Lady Eagles, giving the Lady Stars consecutive wins and improving their record to 3-4.
Boyd – Skylyn Wright
Wright has dazzled in every gym she's walked into this season, and West was the latest team to see what the electric guard can do. She scored 11 points in Boyd's 38-1 victory Thursday, capping a 19-point first quarter with a 3-pointer. Wright's ability to score, handle the basketball and create opportunities for her teammates has been a driving force behind the Lady Broncos' perfect 7-0 start.
Centertown – Lynlee Taylor
Few players had a better scoring week than Taylor, who totaled 20 points in a pair of victories for the Lady Warriors. She scored five in Monday's 21-12 comeback victory over Hickory Creek before taking over against Eastside on Thursday. Taylor poured in 15 points in the 27-9 victory, helping Centertown improve to 7-1 and remain firmly in the championship chase.
Dibrell – Lyla Wood
The Lady Wildcats didn't play last week, but Wood earns recognition for her contributions earlier in the season. She scored four points against Centertown and three against Boyd during the opening week, providing an offensive spark for a young Dibrell team still searching for its first victory. Wood has been among the players helping the Lady Wildcats continue to compete and develop.
Eastside – Elizabeth Grigg
Grigg gave the Lady Bulldogs a lift during a difficult matchup with Centertown on Thursday. After Eastside struggled offensively in the first half, Grigg scored all four of her points in the fourth quarter to help the Lady Bulldogs finish the game with some momentum. Eastside also picked up a 26-3 victory over Morrison earlier in the week.
Hickory Creek – Abi Lewis
Lewis earns recognition following a challenging week for the Lady Hawks, who battled two of the league's top teams. She contributed a point in Monday's matchup against Centertown, a game Hickory Creek led at halftime before the Lady Warriors rallied for a 21-12 victory. The Lady Hawks followed with an 11-9 rivalry loss to Irving College, continuing to show they can compete in defensive battles against strong opponents. Lewis is an emerging guard for the Lady Hawks, who are hoping to get back on track by the postseason when the team will be looking to defend its elementary championship.
Irving College – Willow Hertwig
The Lady Tigers needed somebody to make a play in the closing minutes of Thursday's rivalry showdown with Hickory Creek. Hertwig answered the call. With the teams tied 9-9 entering the fourth quarter, Hertwig delivered the winning basket, knocking home a jumper from just beyond the free-throw line as Irving College escaped with an 11-9 victory.
Morrison – Jullianna Hawkins
Hawkins nearly helped Morrison steal a victory Thursday in one of the lowest-scoring games of the season. The Lady Eagles trailed Bobby Ray late before Hawkins scored a fourth-quarter basket to cut the deficit to one. Morrison couldn't find another basket in the 6-5 loss, but Hawkins gave the Lady Eagles a chance to pull off a comeback.
West – Kayleigh Redmon
Redmon continues to be one of West's most important offensive options. She led the Lady Wizards with seven points in Monday's 19-11 loss to Bobby Ray, accounting for most of her team's scoring. West is still searching for its first victory, but Redmon has shown the ability to put points on the board and give the Lady Wizards a player to build around.
Girls elementary basketball standings
Through games played Thursday, Oct. 29
Boyd 7-0
Centertown 7-1
Irving College 6-1
Hickory Creek 5-3
Bobby Ray 3-4
Eastside 3-4
Morrison 2-6
Dibrell 0-7
West 0-7
This week's schedule
Monday, Nov. 2
West at Bobby Ray, 6 p.m.
Hickory Creek at Boyd, 6 p.m.
Morrison at Centertown, 6 p.m.
Eastside at Dibrell, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Bobby Ray at Eastside, 6 p.m.
Boyd at Irving College, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 5
Hickory Creek at Centertown, 6 p.m.
Irving College at Morrison, 6 p.m.
Dibrell at West, 6 p.m.
