Battle of the Bridges: Kentucky MVPs
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The 24th Annual Battle of the Bridges did not disappoint. There were 9 all-star games throughout the day starting with rising 3rd graders and finishing with rising seniors. Kentucky ultimately won the series 6-3. I wasn’t able to catch the…
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Continue ReadingThe 24th Annual Battle of the Bridges did not disappoint. There were 9 all-star games throughout the day starting with rising 3rd graders and finishing with rising seniors. Kentucky ultimately won the series 6-3. I wasn’t able to catch the early games, but I want to start by acknowledging the Kentucky MVP’s from all 9 games and then I will go more in-depth on the MVP’s from the later games.
Congratulations to Jordynn Bender (3rd grade MVP/Cochrane Elementary), Karter Scott (4th grade MVP/Liberty Elementary), Charley Petrowski (5th grade MVP/St. Bernard), McKenna Andes (6th grade MVP/South Laurel), LiLi Mangrum (7th grade MVP/JCTMS), Kennedy Stamper Kennedy Stamper 5'5" | PG George Rogers Clark | 2027 State KY (8th grade MVP/GRC), Brianna Wilkins Brianna Wilkins 5'10" | SF Christian Academy of Louisville | 2026 State KY (9th grade MVP/CAL), Mariah Knight Mariah Knight 6'1" | PF Butler | 2024 State KY (Future Stars MVP/CAL), and Jakayla Thompson Jakayla Thompson 5'9" | CG DuPont Manual | 2023 State KY (Stars MVP/Manual HS)!!
Thompson put on a show in the Stars game, as I expect her to do all throughout her senior season at Manual. She’s such a smooth and versatile player. She has the ability to put the ball in the basket against anyone. The lefty was knocking down 3’s from deep range, pulling up from everywhere on the floor, scoring through runners and floaters, and finishing through contact at the rim. Thompson could definitely be the 7th Region Miss Basketball candidate this year and she showed on Saturday that there is a clear reason why she would be deserving of that.
Highlights
Knight had to miss a portion of her sophomore season due to KHSAA transfer rules, but once she was able to play, she instantly showed how much she brings to the table. After watching her play Saturday, she has only gotten better and should absolutely dominate throughout her junior year. Knight’s ability to alter shots defensively is really impressive. She’s strong and can block shots. Knight is also a terrific finisher on the other end of the floor. Post moves, layups, and tough finishes on both sides of the rim. She stays with it and grabs a ton of boards. I’d be shocked if Knight doesn’t average a double-double this season.
Knight’s high school teammate, Brianna Wilkins Brianna Wilkins 5’10” | SF Christian Academy of Louisville | 2026 State KY , took home the MVP award in the rising 9th grade game and there was really no question as to who it was going to after the opening minutes of the game. Wilkins has excellent length and athleticism to go along with her pure talent. She can score on anyone, and she really proved that last year as she averaged 25 PPG at the Varsity level as an 8th grader. Wilkins is another versatile player and the reason she’s such an efficient scorer is because she can score in just about any way you could imagine. Adding her to CAL’s talented veteran roster should make for a very entertaining season.
Kennedy Stamper Kennedy Stamper 5'5" | PG George Rogers Clark | 2027 State KY
Kennedy Stamper Kennedy Stamper 5'5" | PG George Rogers Clark | 2027 State KY
Stamper might have been one of the shortest players on the floor, but her game was certainly one of the biggest. She is an extremely crafty guard with excellent handles and court vision. She can create for her teammates or she can get a bucket herself. Stamper had multiple impressive, shifty finishes around the rim. She also brought a lot of defensive intensity on the other end of the floor. Stamper contributed valuable minutes as a 7th grader on GRC’s talented squad who went 31-3 last season, and I expect her to contribute even more in her 8th grade
LiLi Mangrum
LiLi Mangrum
I wasn’t able to watch the rising 7th grade game, but I heard Mangrum really showcased her skills against a talented Indiana squad. I caught up with Coach Mike of JCTMS who said you could compare Mangrum’s game to 2019 Eastern grad and former Vanderbilt University guard, Kiara Pearl. Mangrum can be described as “a scorer who can knock down both jump shots and 3’s.” Coach Mike also mentioned that she has excellent size for a guard. Mangrum played on both the JV and Varsity teams at JCTMS last year and is poised to build on her success as she begins her 7th grade year.