BARBOURVILLE — These are exciting times for Knox Central Lady Panther fans.
Steve Warren’s squad enters the 2024-25 campaign as the 13th Region’s top ranked team after posting a 23-10 mark last season while advancing to the 13th Region Tournament semifinals.
The defending 51st District champions return a loaded roster along with the 13th Region’s top ranked player — senior Halle Collins.
Collins is a double-double machine, averaging 22.9 points per game and 13.1 rebounds per game.
South Laurel transfer Shelbie Mills gives Knox Central one of the best guards/players in the region.
Mills led the Lady Cardinals with an 18 point scoring average last season while hitting a team-best 100 3-pointers and shooting a team-best 89 percent (89-of-100) from the free throw line.
Also returning for Knox Central is 3-point threat Timberly Fredrick, who averaged 8.4 points per game while hitting 74-of-201 3-point attempts.
McKenzie Hensley (5.9 points per game), Sydney Hurst (4.5), Hannah Melton (4.4), and Kelsie Smith (3.0) will also be big contributors to the Lady Panthers’ success this season.
South Laurel transfer, eighth grader Kylie Smith, will also look to contribute. She averaged 2.8 points per game as a Lady Cardinal last season while hitting a team best 46.3 percent of her 3-point attempts (19-of-41).
Knox Central plays another challenging schedule that will prepare the Lady Panthers for a deep postseason run.
Warren’s squad is the favorite to win the 51st District Tournament championship once again and look to battle teams such as North Laurel, South Laurel, and Corbin for the 13th Region crown.
