Early Season Standouts: Junior Class
The season is half over. We’ve turned the calendar to 2020 and it won’t be long before we start to talk about the state tournament draw and the Road to Rupp. Let’s take a minute to single out some impressive Junior performers.
Harley Paynter Harley Paynter 5'7" | CG Boyd County | 2021 State KY , Boyd County – Some folks wondered if Boyd would slip after graduating Miss Basketball. Harley has stepped up and answered the doubters in a big way. Paynter is leading her team in just about every statistical category and shooting high percentages when you consider just how many shots per game she it taking for the Lady Lions.
Sammi Sites Sammi Sites 5'7" | SG Martin County | 2021 State KY , Johnson Central – Sites is a deadeye shooter from deep, knocking down 44% of her three point attempts this season while averaging 19 points and 5 rebounds for a Johnson Central team that relys on her to do a little bit of everything to get a win. Sammi could be the most valuable player in her region.
Grace Bezold, Covington Holy Cross – Grace is one of the most efficient scorers on this list. She’s averaging 19 points per game but doing it while shooting 51% from the field while several others on the list are in the 30s and 40s in shooting percentage. Bezold has helped Holy Cross to a 10-7 record and will only get better over the next 2 years.
Brooklyn Miles, Franklin County – Miles is one of the best college prospects in the state, regardless of class and her play on the court in her Junior season continues to solidify her case as the best player in 2021. A true two way player, Brooklynn has the Lady Flyers in a position to get to Rupp Arena in March.
Macey Blevins Macey Blevins 5'11" | SG Wayne County | 2021 State KY , Wayne County – Before a loss last night, Wayne was riding an 8 game winning streak. Macey has been the facilitator of that big run for the Lady Cards. She, like most on this list, leads her team in scoring and rebounding. Macey’s impact is evident in the fact that they Wayne hasn’t won a game without her all season.
Shelby Stewart Shelby Stewart 5'8" | SG Corbin | 2022 State KY , Corbin – The Lady Redhounds are firmly in the mix in the 13th region and Stewart is having a great season so far. She’s leading her team in scoring and rebounding every night out and meeting the challenge of guarding several of the top players in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. Shelby is having a really strong season.
Ella Thompson Ella Thompson 6'0" | PF Bethlehem | 2021 State KY , Bethlehem – Bethlehem is one of the state’s top teams and Ella is a huge reason why. Leading the team in both scoring and rebounding at 18.2 and 8.8 per game, the Banshees have established themselves as a real threat to win it all at Rupp and not just be another Cinderella story.
Marissa Gasaway Marissa Gasaway 6'0" | PF Silver Creek | 2021 State IN , Eastern – Eastern is struggling mightily on the season but it’s not due to a lack of effort from Gasaway. She’s a top rebounder in the state at 13.8 per game and kicking in 16.8 points per game while being the focal point of every defense she sees on a nightly basis.