With two of the region’s top players returning for the 2023-2024 basketball season, the Christian County Lady Colonels are looking to make their move towards the top of the 2nd Region and break the 11-year hold of the 6th District on the regional crown. The Lady Colonels reached the regional semifinals last season and expect to be one of those teams with a chance to cut down the nets come March of 2024.
The last time a team outside of the 6th District won the 2nd Region championship was in 2013 when the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers beat Livingston Central to earn a trip to the Sweet 16 at Diddle Arena. Since that season, Henderson County has won 10 of the 11 championships with Webster County claiming the other.
If the Christian County Lady Colonels are to break that grip of the 6th District, they are likely to be led by the efforts of three big returning pieces from last season and improved shooting on the offensive end.
Several preseason rankings have Lady Colonel sophomore Anaysia Bagwell listed as the top player in the region coming into the 2023-2024 season. For opponents, it has to feel like she has been there forever already, and yet she is just entering her sophomore season. Bagwell finished last season averaging 18.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest. She needs just 12 points to reach 1,000 for her career.
But this team is far from just a one-woman show. NeVaeh Day is quite possibly the best defensive player in the region. Day often plays on the front of the Christian County full-court press and half-court trap, and with her length and athleticism will cause many a nightmare for opposing players. Day is also quite adept at getting the ball out on the break after she forces a turnover.
And don’t forget, she also averaged 10.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest last season. So averaging a double-double this year is well within range.
As for another weapon on offense, keep your eyes on Lazarie Daniel this season. As a sophomore, Daniel hit for 5.5 points per game, but Coach Kiki Radford is looking for much more offensively this season and is hoping that Daniel’s outside shooting will take some pressure off Bagwell on the perimeter. In the opening scrimmage this year, Daniel scorched the nets for 27 points in a big win against Casey County.
Junior Amari Northington also figures to see opportunities for her role to expand this season. Northington averaged 2.4 points and saw action in 27 games last year for the Lady Colonels.
Debony Anderson and DaNiya Bradley should also be key players for any big run this year by Christian County.
The Lady Colonels will find themselves tested by the time they reach the postseason. In addition to 8th District contests, the Lady Colonels will find themselves facing off against Madisonville, Henderson, Bowling Green, Marshall County, Greenwood, Warren Central, Webster County, and Ohio County.
Christian County will officially begin the season November 28 on the road at Muhlenberg County.
Coach Kiki Radford recently previewed the upcoming season at this year’s Media Day at the Sportsplex.
