Kensley Feltner Returning Home to Play at Morehead

Kensley Feltner had a historic high school basketball career at Lawrence County. She scored 4,160 points — fourth best total in state history. She also had 1,531 rebounds, the 18th best total in state history. Her 816 assists ranked ninth on the all-time list and she also had 413 career steals.

Her 1,039 points during her senior season in 2023-24 was the ninth best single season mark in state history at the time and she led the state in scoring at 28.9 points per game. She also led Lawrence to its first 15th Region title.

Feltner signed with Belmont in Nashville. She played in 26 games in 2023-24 and averaged 5.3 minutes and 1.4 points per game as a freshman. The next season she played in 39 games with two starts and averaged 10.7 minutes and 3.6 points per game. Last year Feltner played in only five games averaging 14.6 minutes and 3.4 minutes per game before a knee injury ended her season.

Now the mountain legend is returning home — or close to home. She’s transferring to Morehead State University to play for new coach Jackie Alexander.

“I had a great three years at Belmont and my knee injury is not why I wanted to leave. I had knee surgery Dec. 19. I had bone fragments removed and my tendon repaired. I am almost completely recovered now,” said Feltner Tuesday. “But it was time for me to find a new home. I am just grateful it is only an hour from my house. That makes it very nice.”

Alexander tried to recruit Feltner to play at East Tennessee State before the Lawrence County star picked Belmont.

“We did not stay in touch the last three years but I built a great relationship with her in recruiting. I really loved her,” Feltner said. “When I entered the transfer portal Jackie had not yet been hired. That just kind of fell into  my lap. I wanted to be closer to home and be at a place with a great culture to enjoy the rest of my career.”

She never seriously considered Morehead coming out of high school because the program went through two coaching changes. However, Feltner paid attention last season when Morehead went 18-15 overall and 13-7 in Ohio Valley Conference play for first-year coach Ashton Feldhaus. That led to Feldhaus landing the head job at McNeese State and Alexander taking over the Eagles.

“Ashton did a great job with the team. People in Morehead are excited about the women’s program. The excitement is back for Morehead women’s basketball,” Feltner said. “Jackie will continue doing that. She has great experience as an assistant coach and I really believe in her and all she stands for.

“She is from right down the road in Rockcastle County. She knows what I will bring on and off the court.”

Feltner insists she’s still the same type of player she was in high school when she could overpower players. Alexander liked that she “can get downhill and score in the paint and also get to the free throw line” often.

“She plans to use what I do best to our advantage,” Feltner said. “I think I have definitely got stronger and I have also learned a lot of patience. I put in a lot of work at Belmont.”

Feltner did not announce she was in the transfer portal like most players do. That’s why many were “shocked” when it was announced she had signed with Morehead.

“Most people didn’t know I was leaving,” she said. “I have never really posted a lot of personal stuff. I just decided to keep it to myself. I am trusting in coach Jackie to get us a good team to compete in the OVC and play in the NCAA. She wants to be at Morehead and grow something great and I want to help her do that.”