After winning the program’s first 8th District title since 2017 to cap a rollercoaster season last year, the Hopkinsville girls’ basketball team returns an experienced group looking to overcome significant losses through graduation and defend the trophy in 2022-23.
Hopkinsville finished 15-13 in coach Keith Leslie’s first season in charge, including six forfeit losses due to the self-reported use of an ineligible player. The Lady Tigers edged Christian County 60-57 in the district-title matchup before falling to Webster County in the opening round of the 2nd Region tournament.
Most of the production lost was in the paint, including All-District and All-Region performer Donisha Flowers. Flowers led the Lady Tigers in scoring with almost 13 points per contest and was third in rebounding with over seven per game.
Post-players LaTaijha Cherry and Ja’Chia Pendleton also departed, along with guard Shaterrea Bellamy. Cherry led the team in rebounding, and Pendleton added averages of six points and five rebounds.
Shiyah Forte leads the returnees after posting over ten points and almost eight rebounds per game as a sophomore. Fellow junior Kahtahvia Fleming is also back after knocking down a team-high 31 three-pointers on the way to eight points per outing, and senior Faith Dansbury was second on the squad with 29 made three-pointers and averaged seven points last year.
Seniors Zynia Earthman and Ronnijha McGee may be called on to play a more significant role this season, along with sophomore Ta’Ria Sharber. Senior Skyla Rogers and junior Aniya Marshall are newcomers to the roster, along with Ma’Kaya Payton and Deaijah Tullis.
The Lady Tigers open the season on Monday with a home matchup with Warren Central, before hosting defending 7th-District champions Madisonville-North Hopkins on Tuesday.
Hopkinsville opens district play on December 10 when Christian County visits Tiger Gym. The Lady Tigers swept all three meetings with the Lady Colonels a year ago.
