It has been three years since Owensboro Catholic last played at Rupp Arena, having lost in the 2024 and 2025 3rd Region Championship. Early on in this year’s tournament, it seemed the drought would continue.
Then the Lady Aces did the unthinkable, overcoming a 20-point first-half deficit to Breckinridge County in the opening round, sparking a run that culminated in the program’s seventh 3rd Region Championship title under Head Coach Michael Robertson.
Awaiting them tonight in the opening round of the State Tournament is Letcher County Central, with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. EST.
“Words can’t express, and it’s a blessing each and every time you get the opportunity to go to Rupp,” Owensboro Catholic Head Coach Michael Robertson said. “Never take it for granted and always be excited when it happens. I have been fortunate enough to have been a few times, but it never gets old, and you just have to cherish it.”
The two teams are evenly matched in scoring, with Owensboro Catholic averaging 60.1 points per game compared to Letcher County Central’s 57.8 points per game. Both schools are tied in margin of victory per game, with 11.4.
Since the Lady Cougars’ Sadie Johnson returned from injury, they have morphed into a different team, going 15-4 in her 19 games back. Alongside Johnson (10.7), Alli Bailey (11.1) and Molly Caudill (10.5) also average double-digits, making for a very balanced attack. While those three carry the scoring load, Kaylee Baker has been a sniper from deep, shooting 37.1% from behind the perimeter, while averaging 1.6 made threes a game.
“They got Johnson back in January and ever since they have been on a run,” Robertson said. “They love to play man-to-man and get after you. More in the half-court than the full court, but they are very aggressive, like most mountain schools. We will have to be ready to handle their physicality.”
Owensboro Catholic also boasts a balanced offensive attack, fueled by the starting rotation of Katie Hagan (12.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Taylor Mannahan (12.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Claudia Munsey (12.1 ppg, 40.1% from deep), Layla Martin (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg), and Sophia Newby (8.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg).
“I think you look at Taylor being able to run the point, and then you have Newby and Hagan in the post and being able to work well together,” Robertson said. “I think those are some of our x-factors. And if you can get Layla Martin and Claudia Munsey hot again, it is really tough to guard.”
