For the first time in 37 years, the Henderson County girls’ basketball team will take the floor in 2023-24 without Jeff Haile roaming the sidelines. Haile called an end to his Kentucky High School Hall of Fame career after the Lady Colonels claimed their 16th 2nd Region title in the last 19 seasons and advanced to the state tournament semifinals for the sixth time in his tenure.
But Haile’s isn’t the only face that will be missing when the Lady Colonels open the season on Tuesday with a trip to Hancock County. Four of last year’s top-five scorers are gone as well, beginning with the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, Jarie Thomas.
Thomas scored over 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds per game, just ahead of second-leading scorer Graci Risley with over 12 points per outing. Risley knocked down an astounding 98 three-pointers at a 50.5% clip, while the Lady Colonels also must replace the shooting prowess of Mallorie Veal.
Shalyn Sprinkles was third on the team with just a shade under ten points per game as a sophomore, but she’s departed as well after a transfer to Owensboro High School. That leaves sophomore forward Brooklyn Gibson as the highest returning scorer after posting 6.7 points and almost four rebounds per game.
Also at the forward position, junior Anna Kemp and sophomore A’Tylia Green return after combining for almost six points and five rebounds per contest. First-year head coach Stephen Haile also expects help in the paint from a pair of newcomers in senior Ainara Gojenola and 8th-grader Callie Burnett.
In the backcourt, sophomore guard Adalyn Gish will be called on to expand her role, along with juniors Allyson Rideout and Rashia Cansler. Freshman Ja’Nyla Locher and 8th-grader Jersey Gardner will also contribute on the perimeter.
Henderson will be busy with a string of tournaments in December, beginning with a matchup with Pulaski County in the Independence Bank Kentucky-Indiana Classic. A December 9 meeting with Marshall County at McCracken County’s Holiday Hoopla Classic follows, ahead of a trip to Assumption on the 16th to face Central in the Rockets Christmas Tournament.
The Lady Colonels will return to the Independence Bank Kentucky-Indiana Classic December 21-22, and close out the year against Greenwood at Allen County-Scottsville’s Lady Invitational of the South.
