After a disappointing 3-10 season that concluded with a loss to Union County in the 2nd Region tournament, the Hopkinsville girls’ basketball team returns in 2021-22 with a deep senior class and a familiar face in a new role on the sideline.
Former assistant coach Keith Leslie takes over for Anthony Babb, who moved over to take the reigns of the Hoptown boys’ program after six years and three 8th-District titles with the Lady Tigers.
Leslie welcomes back most of last season’s roster, with only Jakayla Epps and Lakayla Samuel graduating off last year’s district runners-up. Epps was second on the squad with 7.2 points per game. Samuel was limited to only seven games after returning from a knee injury, posting just over four points and seven rebounds per contest.
Donisha Flowers leads an eight-player senior class after earning All-District and All-Region recognition as a junior. She led the team with 12.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Seniors Shaterrea Bellamy and LaTaijha Cherry also return after solid junior campaigns. Bellamy posted just over five points and a pair of rebounds while providing much of the ball-handling for the Lady Tigers. Cherry shot 65% from the field with averages of 2.6 points and four rebounds and Coach Leslie feels she has made a big jump since last season.
Some new faces fill out the rest of the senior class, with Arrionna Bennett, TyNaija Green, Laniyah Hill, Keniya Manson, and JaChia Pendleton all providing options for the Lady Tigers.
Freshman Lashanti Wilson is back after an All-District season as an 8th-grader. Wilson was third on the team with 6.5 points and pulled down just over three rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Shiyah Forte is another underclassmen that appears set for a bigger role after scoring almost six points per game and collecting just under eight rebounds per outing. Coach Leslie also singled out sophomore guard Kahtahvia Fleming as a player that has impressed in the preseason.
Junior Faith Dansbury’s nine 3-pointers led the team last year, with fellow-junior Ronnijha McGee and sophomore DaNaiya Green also in the rotation.
The Lady Tigers open the season on Tuesday at Livingston Central, before a big early season test at Madisonville-North Hopkins on December 2nd.
A trip to McCracken County to play the Lady Mustangs in the McCracken County Hardwood Tournament is scheduled for right after Christmas. Hoptown starts district play on January 21 with a matchup at Christian County.
Coach Leslie previews the 2021-22 Lady Tigers.
