Hopkins County Central’s girls have won two of the last three 7th District championships.
But Lady Storm head coach Phillip Cotton knows his team has some growing to do if it wants to challenge again in the 2023-24 season.
Hopkins County Central didn’t just lose its top three scorers from last season, but much of its leadership with that group.
Brooklyn Clark graduated with over 2,000 career points. Mercy Sutton signed with Kentucky Christian after being a candidate for a double-double every game. Emile Jones was a consistent scorer who averaged double figures the past two seasons.
“We are very, very young, but we do have some talent,” said Cotton. “I’ve been coaching these girls for years. They have won at every level. We definitely look forward to the challenge.”
Two starters do return for the Lady Storm, but both are sophomores.
Calajia Mason averaged 7.9 points a game last season while Tyah White netted 5.9 a contest.
After that, Hopkins Central gets even younger.
Freshmen Braylee Marsh, Kenzleigh Harrison and Macy Cotton, along with eighth grader Addie Menser, will be counted on to play key roles.
Cotton said his hopes are simple this season: “Improve as the season progresses, but remain competitive while doing so.”
The 2023-24 roster does not have any seniors, so some of those youngsters are going to have to take over leadership roles as well.
With such a youthful squad, Hopkins Central could take some lumps early in the year. But the Lady Storm hope as they gain experience, they will become even more competitive by season’s end.
Madisonville-North Hopkins looks to be the front-runner, not just in the 7th District but in the 2nd Region as well, but Hopkins Central will look to get in position to battle for the No. 2 spot in the district against Caldwell County and Dawson Springs.
