1. North Laurel (25-7)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As the great Ric Flair has said many times \u2014 to be the man, you\u2019ve got to beat the man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right now, North Laurel is still the team to beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Until someone knocks off the Lady Jaguars in March, they deserve that top spot \u2014 and with four starters returning along with the region\u2019s best player, they may be on track to make it five straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If they do, it would mark the first time a 13th Region girls program has won five consecutive titles since Clay County\u2019s historic run of seven straight from 1988-94.<\/p>\n\n\n\n North Laurel\u2019s success starts with 6-2 senior Mariella Claybrook (18.2 ppg, 11.7 rpg), who enters the season as the region\u2019s top-ranked player. She\u2019ll be joined by Laylee Phillips (10.9, 4.7), one of the top returning players in the region, along with Bella Lewis (7.9, 7.1) and Bella Mahan (5.1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also back are Emma Carl (2.0), Paisley Robinson (2.6) and Eden Begley (2.1), giving the Lady Jaguars both depth and experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. South Laurel (25-7)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lady Cardinals have the best shot to unseat North Laurel \u2014 but to do so, they\u2019ll have to find a way to get past them in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Laurel returns one of the most balanced cores in the region, led by seniors Maci Messer (13.5, 4.9) and Skeeter Mabe (9.8, 4.6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sophomores Callie Jones (10.6, 3.1) and Ryleigh Bretz (5.7, 6.4) return to the starting lineup, while freshman McKenzie Fannin (6.8, 2.3) is a player to watch after a strong debut season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also expect Shelby Smith (2.5), Emma Adams (2.4) and Mia Hubbard (2.1) to play key roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Knox Central (24-6)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If there\u2019s a team capable of breaking the Laurel County stranglehold on the region, it\u2019s Knox Central.<\/p>\n\n\n\n North and South have combined to win six of the last seven region titles, but the Lady Panthers have the firepower to challenge that run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senior Shelbie Mills (22.3 ppg) is one of the best players in the region \u2014 and the state \u2014 and she\u2019ll lead a deep and experienced group that includes McKenzie Hensley (11.7, 5.0), Kailynn Smith (10.7, 10.3), Kylie Smith (5.7, 4.5), Maggie Gibson (5.0, 6.2), Shelbi Smith (4.5, 3.2), Kaylei Gambrel Garrison (4.1), and Charis Frederick (2.5, 2.9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Whitley County (15-15)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lady Colonels came on strong late last season and look poised to be a serious threat in 2026-27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senior Maddie Hopkins (19.8, 8.9) returns as one of the region\u2019s top players, while Khlyea Collier is back from injury \u2014 a major boost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also returning are Jonna Rice (11.6, 8.0) and Jaylee Cox (5.2, 3.5), along with Aubrey Fore (3.8, 2.0) and Cristen Siler (2.4, 4.1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whitley County has the pieces to make a deep postseason run \u2014 and possibly chase its first region title since 1985.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Corbin (15-11)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s plenty of excitement surrounding the Corbin Lady Redhounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tony Pietrowski takes over the program after winning four region titles as Corbin\u2019s boys coach, and he inherits a roster loaded with talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leading the way is 6-3 Aubree Clemens (11.1, 8.2), along with Lydia King (12.0, 3.0), Kalley Stewart (5.5, 4.5), Lynlee Pietrowski (5.9, 3.9), Brylee Frederick (3.3) and Braylen Frederick (2.5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Clay County (16-17)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lady Tigers are coming off a return to the 13th Region Tournament and will look to take the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key returners include Maci White (13.7, 5.1), Carly Fultz (12.2, 7.7), Kenzie Grubb (12.0, 4.1), Madison Pendland (6.1, 2.8) and Harper Rive (8.1, 6.5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Harlan County (13-14)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lady Black Bears could be a sleeper team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sophomore Jaycee Simpson (11.3) returns along with Taylynn Napier (8.5), Jaylee Cochran (8.5), and Reagan Clem (7.8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also back are Kylee Runions (5.2) and Raegan Landa (2.3, 4.3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Bell County (23-8)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lady Bobcats lose Kairi Lamb and Nevaeh Allen to graduation, but the addition of transfer Emily Lambert helps offset those losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senior forward Gracie Barton (7.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg) returns after being limited to just 13 games due to injury, giving Bell County a major boost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She\u2019ll be joined by Lyla Scearse (2.0, 2.0), Aubree Miracle (4.0, 3.7), Bristal Jordan (3.5), and Brylee Redmond (2.6, 3.2), all of whom played key roles last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Barbourville (11-15)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Barbourville looks to build on a strong season and could make a push for its first region tournament appearance since 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marleigh Martin (14.8, 6.0), Breanna Engle (13.9, 5.4), and Sadie Hoffman (6.7, 3.1) headline the returning group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. Pineville (13-16)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lady Mountain Lions get a big boost with the addition of transfer Peyshaunce Wynn (10.8, 4.6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madison Johnson (7.6, 7.2), Clara Starnge (6.4, 4.5), and Kaelyn Burnett (3.9, 2.3) also return, giving Pineville a solid core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best of the Rest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 11. Middlesboro (14-13)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Coach Sally Adams led a strong turnaround, and the Lady Yellow Jackets look to build on that success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Millie Roberts (12.6) returns, though the loss of Lambert to Bell County is significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12. Jackson County (8-18)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lady Generals return a solid nucleus, including Baylee Berry (9.0), Sophia Martinez (7.8), and Kyler Martin (5.5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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