With most of their team returning after a deep run in the KHSAA girls’ basketball state tournament, Owensboro Catholic will have a strong chance to defend their district and region titles this season.
The Lady Aces went 29-8 last year, reaching the state tournament semifinals for the first time in program history. Catholic won all 17 region games by double figures, and they also won the All “A” Classic state championship mid-season.
The biggest hurdle this year will be replacing the production of Mackenzie Keelin, Sarah Beth Clemens and Madelyn Lyon a pair of graduates who combined for 27.3 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.
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Head coach Michael Robertson said the Lady Aces will have to rely on defense until they can find their offensive foothold.
“Key to our success this season will be the ability for us to find ways to score,” he said. “We need people to step up and fill the roles left by the seniors. I think we will have to be very good defensively and really make it hard for others to score, while turning turnovers and missed shots into points on the other end.”
Catholic will again rely on senior Hannah McKay, who led the team with 13.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
“I think she will be one of the top players in the state with her athleticism and skill,” Robertson said. “She has improved her range and we will need her to help pick up some of the slack we lost in scoring.”
Other top returning players will be senior guards Spencer Harvey (5.1 ppg) and Caroline Reid (3.1 ppg). Harvey is a lockdown defender and Reid runs the offense, and both can be outside threats.
Ally Maggard and Isabella Henning will both step into larger roles after playing in almost every game last year.
Top newcomers will be Catherine Head and Lily Moore. Head was sidelined last year with a preseason injury, while Moore returns to the team after taking a couple of years off.
Robertson is hoping the team chemistry can continue to improve so the Lady Aces will have a chance to make the return trip to state.
“I always feel like with any team you only go as far as your team wants to go,” he said. “The more they like each other the more they will fight for each other and not give in to fatigue or bad habits. Players have to believe in each other and know that their teammates are going to be there for them. When you get that, who knows what great things your team can accomplish.”
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