Ludlow’s Jenna Lillard has made big impression on all-star coach

Ludlow’s Jenna Lillard and Newport Catholic’s Rylee Turner are now Kentucky all-star teammates. Turner led the state in scoring at 26.3 points per game but Lillard has impressed all-star coach Judie Mason. (Photo by Twitter)

Kentucky all-star coach Judie Mason knows plenty about the overall talent her team will face against Indiana’s all-stars June 10 and 11. However, Mason, the coach at Danville High School, likes the overall talent on her team, too.

“We have 12 kids who can all play. We had so many guards that were really good and long and can play other positions. I am really pleased with the team we have,” she said. “I think almost every kid we have can take you off the dribble and score. I know Indiana is supposed to have seven or eight Division I kids. They are big and athletic but I hope they have a hard time stopping our guards and we can interchange a lot of players.”

However, one player has surprised Mason more than anyone else.

Ludlow’s Jenna Lillard — the first player from her school to make the Kentucky all-star team — averaged 22.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game last season and scored 2,088 career points.

“I am more shocked and pleased with the kid from Ludlow than anyone else because I didn’t know what to expect,” Mason said. “She was probably the best kid at tryouts other than (Miss Basketball Amiya) Jenkins (of Anderson County.”

“I watched her play in the Kentucky-Ohio game and she won the one-on-one competition. She is probably 5-10, can handle the ball and can play anywhere from the 2 to 5. She can take you off the dribble and shoot.”

Mason said a coach in northern Kentucky said she deserved an all-star tryout, so she got one and took advantage of it.

“She can play inside or outside and I love that,” Mason said. “She can guard the post. She had to play against a kid going to Ohio State in the Kentucky-Ohio game and held her own. I am really happy to have her.”