With four starters back from last year’s 19-12 squad, hopes are high for the Madisonville-North Hopkins girls in the 2023-24 season.
The Lady Maroons are on the short list of 2nd Region contenders behind senior Destiny Whitsell, who could end up being the best player in the region.
But there’s also a big junior class supporting Whitsell, as Madisonville looks to outduel teams like Henderson County and Christian County for the regional championship in March.
“We hope to have a great season,” said Lady Maroon head coach Jeff Duvall. “We have experience and depth. Will have to overcome our size with speed and athleticism.”
The 5-foot-8 Whitsell led the team with 12.6 points a game last season while grabbing 6.1 rebounds a contest.
Riley Sword, a 5-6 junior, produced 9.8 points a game last season while classmate Jaycee Noffsinger, 5-9, scored 8.0 points a night while pulling down a team-leading 7.0 rebounds.
Look for those three to all have increased production as they look to lead Madisonville to its first regional championship since 1983. (Henderson has won the last five 2nd Region titles and 10 of the last 11.)
Also returning to the starting lineup is 5-6 junior Kailey Barber, who scored 3.4 points a game a year ago.
Sophomore SaNya Carney, juniors Bryanne Johnson and Kaytee Parish, and freshman Macy Wright all look to make an impact this season.
In limited action last year, Carney netted 3.4 points a game while Johnson scored 2.7 points.
The Lady Maroons will tip off the new season on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at Union County. The first home game is Thursday, Nov. 30, against Hopkinsville.
