Amiya Jenkins, left, and Cassidy Rowe are Kentucky all-star teammates and future UK teammates. (Photo by Larry Vaught)
One of the best parts of being Kentucky Miss Basketball for Amiya Jenkins of Anderson County is that it guaranteed her a spot on the Kentucky all-star team that will face Indiana in two games next month.
Not that there was any real doubt about whether the University of Kentucky signee would be on the team, but one of the perks of being Miss Basketball is not having to try out for the team.
“It has been pretty great. I am glad to be part of stuff like this and play with a great group of girls,” Jenkins said Saturday after her first all-star practice at Campbellsville University-Harrodsburg. “I know Indiana has some good players and it is going to be very competitive. I am excited to show what we have.”
Danville High School coach Judie Mason, the all-star head coach, is counting on Jenkins’ versatility to be a key for her team and the fast pace the coach wants to play.
Jenkins says she’s been trying to stay in basketball shape since her season ended with a loss at the state tournament. She’s a track standout — she’ll compete in the Class AAA state meet in the 100-meter hurdles and triple jump where she ranks among the state’s best.
“I don’t know what my role will be. I just want to play with everybody and get it done against Indiana,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins, a four-star player, believes she could play either guard spot or small forward in college — and would be willing to play power forward if needed.
The 5-10 Jenkins averaged 20.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 2.9 assists per game last season when Anderson went 30-5 and won its third straight 8th Region title. She finished her high school career with 2,212 points and 739 rebounds.
She will be one of 10 new players on coach Kyra Elzy’s team at Kentucky next year. One of those players is Shelby Valley standout Cassidy Rowe, who is also on the all-star team with Jenkins.
They will combine with five returning players to give Elzy a full roster after Kentucky was short-handed most of last season.
“I am super excited to get to know all of them and see how we can be,” Jenkins said. “There are a bunch of different girls and we all have to learn to play together. I talk to coach Elzy a lot. I can’t wait to play for her and I know the others are the same way.”
Jenkins is also looking forward to the Class AAA state track meet June 5 in Lexington.
“I love it just as much as basketball,” Jenkins said. “I ran track in middle school for fun and ended up liking it a lot.”
She plans to “do my best” to set personal marks in her events at the state meet and will be ranked among the top contenders in each event.
Can she win?
“I hope so. That’s all I can say,” Jenkins said.
