Rich Fairman Photos
Could this be the week that Meade County standout Peyton Bradley reaches the 3,000-point mark?
Despite missing a large part of last season with a knee injury, she has 2,938 points going into tonight’s game at South Oldham. Meade will also play 3rd Region rival Breckinridge County Friday.
The 5-9 guard is averaging just over 28 points per game. In recent games she scored 35 points against Frederick Douglass, 37 against Hagley (Ariz.), 34 versus Franklin-Simpson and 31 against Nelson County.
“There were a lot of doubts in my mind about getting to 3,000 when I got hurt,” Bradley admitted. “When I got confirmation at the hospital that I had torn my ACL, me, my mom and Coach (Dina Hackert) cried. She (Hackert) had me set goals for what I could still do my senior year. I remember telling her it would be harder to get 3,000 points.”
Bradley knew 3,089 points was the school’s all-time scoring record, a mark she wanted to break and now certainly will do if she stays healthy.
“Coach kept telling me it was possible for me to break the record even after I got hurt. We figured out I would have to average about 20 points per game for the whole season to do it, so I knew that was possible,” she said. “That pushed me in physical therapy and in the weight room because I wanted to get back to state and reach 3,000 points. That really motivated me when I was weak or tired in therapy.”
Bradley, who helped Meade reach the state tournament elite eight her freshman season, also has 716 rebounds and 455 assists in her career, has been a bit surprised with her scoring this season. She knew she had put in the work to be back at full strength but also knew how opponents might concentrate their defenses on her.
“I had some doubts if I really could move as well as before (the injury) but I feel like I have crushed those doubts,” Bradley, who has made 471 career 3-pointers, said.
Meade is 12-7 and Bradley thinks the best is still to come. Senior forward Savannah Triplett tore her ACL about the same time Bradley did in early 2024 and the two worked on skill development together when they were out. Triplett is averaging 7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this season.
“Offensively we have a lot of room to grow. I have seen double teams a lot. I know I am our best chance of breaking pressure because I have seen pressure my whole career,” Bradley said. “I know I can break a press and get my teammates in position to score. I try to find them and get them easy buckets when I face double teams or junk defenses.”
The faster the pace, the better it suits Bradley and her teammates because they are better in transition than half-court offense.
“In transition teams cannot set up double teams or junk defenses. That’s where I get most of my points and the team can play freely that way,” Bradley said. “We are good at making extra passes to get better shots.”
Bradley, who is also a terrific high school golfer, said her knee injury actually helped extend her shooting range because it was four months after surgery before she could jump or shoot a normal shot.
“In our backyard we have a 60-foot court. I was shooting 3’s without jumping. That helped my arms get stronger and built different muscles in my legs,” she said. “I can shoot from farther out than last year. I have more consistency out there now too.
“I have worked on my shot since I was 2 years old. My dad was a shooter in college. He did not have the best form but he could make it go in. He taught me the correct (shooting) form. It helps with him being a coach so we could get keys to the gym where we spent hours shooting.”
Her goal is to help Meade return to the state tournament so she can end her career playing in Rupp Arena.
“I grew up a Kentucky fan and I am going to the state tournament whether we are playing or not but it feels a lot better to be playing when you are seeing friends there,” Bradley said.
She knows the Third Region is wide open with Breckinridge County, Owensboro Catholic, Owensboro and Daviess County all legitimate title contenders along with Meade.
“I do have confidence in our girls but it’s all up in the air because there is so much balance in the region,” she said.
A return trip to Rupp might also enable more college coaches to see Bradley, who has not made her college choice. She has several offers but felt waiting until after the season to commit would be her best option.
“I have a lot of great (college) options and feel blessed. I am just waiting for the Lord to show me his plan and then follow it,” Bradley said. “I do not want to transfer. I want to be where God wants me to be from the start.
“The transfer portal is crazy and affects recruiting. Coaches are looking more to the portal for experienced players than high school players. It’s kind of crazy and I get that it is a business but I just want to make the right choice and not be part of that transfer portal.”
