With their top three scorers returning there is reason for significant optimism with the Todd County Central Lady Rebels headed into the start of a new season. If the Lady Rebels can quickly develop some depth at key spots, it could be a very special season in Elkton in 2023-2024.
Nick Suttle is back for his season season at the helm of the Lady Rebel program. He led the Lady Rebels to a 13-13 record in 2022-2023 and has the pieces in place to take some steps forward this season.
The biggest slots in the lineup to fill will be from the graduation losses of Ciara Collins and Jamaia Burks, both of whom played in every game last season for Todd County Central and combined to average 10.6 points and 4 rebounds per game.
While the loss of that much experience in the lineup will be felt, there is much reason for optimism heading into the season. A big part of that optimism comes in the form of the return of Alexis Taylor. Taylor, who is considered among the top players in the 4th Region, averaged 16.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game last season. And, it would not be any stretch of the imagination to see those numbers increasing to near 20 and 15 per game this season. When Taylor, who is a junior, asserts herself inside, there are not many players around the area who can find a way to shut her down.
Plus, Taylor is dangerous enough from the outside to force defenders to play her honest. She knocked down 30.3 percent of her 3-point shots last season, so if defenders sag off when she is outside the paint, Taylor can make them pay for that decision.
Abby Williams, who was the Lady Rebels’ second-leading scorer last season returns for her senior year. Williams averaged 11.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. She was the leading 3-point shooter for Todd County Central in 2022-2023, hitting 34 of 107 shots from behind the arc. Williams is also the player opponents do not want to put on the free throw line coming down the stretch, as she connected on 76.2 percent of her shots at the line.
The player who could elevate this team even further this season was the third-leading scorer for Todd County Central last season, that being sophomore Jamya Kay. Kay played in every game last season, averaging 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. If Coach Suttle can get Kay to elevate those numbers just a bit, the Lady Rebel offense will be much harder to stop this season. Kay is an athlete who can be a handful for any defender, and her becoming a bigger factor will open up things more for Taylor on the inside and Williams on the outside.
Look for Chloe Collins to see much more time on the court this year. As an 8th grader last season, she saw the court in 17 games and will be counted on to step up and take big strides in 2023-2024.
If the preseason is any indication, Jordyn Shemwell appears ready to fill the shoes of one of the departing seniors. Shemwell hit for 10 points in the win against Muhlenberg County. She played in 16 games last season and figures to be the #4 scorer in the lineup this season for Todd County Central.
Another player to watch coming up this season will be Daymea Garrett. Garrett, along with some other unfamiliar faces, will have the chance to play key roles in the success for the Lady Rebels this season.
For the Lady Rebels to attain their goals this season, they will need to improve their shooting from last season a bit. Five of their losses were by 7 points or less last year, as the Lady Rebels made just 36.8 percent from the field, 24.4 percent from three-point land, and 56.4 percent from the free throw line. Bring all three of those up just a bit, and those types of losses from last season fall into the win column in 2023-2024.
On the schedule, in addition to their run through the 13th District, the Lady Rebels will face tests in the form of Apollo, Hopkins County Central, Edmonson County, Glasgow, Henderson County, Warren Central, and South Warren.
The Lady Rebels bid to win the 4th Region All A Classic will begin on their home floor as they host Cumberland County on January 8.
The regular season opens November 28, when the Lady Rebels will host Apollo.
