Winning at Run For Roses

Photo provided - Pictured are, from left, Maebry Yates, Moni Harris and Nia Rich.

The future of girls basketball in Warren County was on full display recently in Kentucky.

Three of the area's brightest rising seventh graders - Irving College's Maebry Yates, Boyd Christian's Moni Harris and Warren County Middle School's Nia Rich - were all key contributors as FBC Reign captured the Run 4 Roses Rising Stars Gold Bracket championship, bringing home one of the premier youth tournament titles in the country.

The trio, who will soon be leading their respective school programs into the 2026-27 season, each carved out unique roles for coach Todd Hess's squad during the summer.

Yates, entering her second season with FBC Reign, arrived as the most experienced of the three. Already one of the top players in Warren County's elementary ranks after leading Irving College to the county championship game last season, Hess said her ability to fit in anywhere quickly became one of the team's biggest strengths.

"Maebry is a very versatile player," said Hess. "We knew she could play as a wing as well as with her back to the basket."

That flexibility, paired with an infectious attitude, made her invaluable throughout the season.

"Maebry brought positive energy and a great attitude to every practice and games," said Hess. "She provided a great spark for the team."

Harris was in her first season with the program, but the blossoming post player rapidly developed into one of Reign's biggest weapons.

Already showing tremendous size and potential with Boyd Christian, Harris spent part of the summer working with the Lady Broncos' high school squad before continuing her development with FBC Reign.

"Moni stood out for her skills as a post, which we greatly needed," said Hess.

While Hess acknowledged Harris was still in the growing process early, her growth throughout the summer was impossible to miss.

"In our first few practices I noticed that Moni needed more experience, but I also started noticing that she had a way of getting to the ball and that she had great, soft hands at the rim," said Hess. "She became a scoring threat. We started running some dribble-drive stuff with dump-offs for her and put in some pick and rolls for her."

Rich, another first-year player with Reign, may have entered as one of Warren County's quickest guards, but Hess soon realized she could impact the game in virtually every phase.

Known for her speed and relentless defense during her time at Bobby Ray, Rich continued to evolve into an all-around player while preparing for her first season at Warren County Middle School.

"Nia was picked up as a point guard or 2-guard, but it was apparent that she could play just about anywhere," said Hess.

Her toughness became one of the defining traits of the championship team.

"Nia was pound for pound our strongest player," said Hess. "Even though she was smaller than many opposing players, with her strength and heart, she became one of our leading rebounders. And no opposing players wanted Nia setting screens on them. She was like running into a brick wall."

Winning Run 4 Roses was a great way for the trio to spend their summer, but exposure was even more valuable. And not the recruiting exposure most summer ball is about - It’s the exposure of seeing top talent everyday.

Hess believes competing against elite teams from across the country and playing in packed gyms gave his entire roster invaluable experience.

"The R4R tournament exposed our team to playing different styles of play and to playing in front of large numbers of fans," said Hess.

Now those lessons head back home.

Yates, Harris and Rich are all expected to play major roles for their school teams this winter, and Hess believes the championship experience will only accelerate their development.

"Each player got better and better as the season progressed," said Hess. "All the games we've played, as well as practicing with high-level players, will make the three girls tough as they go into school play. I think you'll see them all become leaders on their teams. Not just with their high skill set, but with knowing how to win and how to prepare to win.

"The Warren County/McMinnville area are going to enjoy watching these three girls play at a high level of ball for many years."