06-30-2010, 05:04 PM
The girls' Class of 2011 is not as talented or as deep as we've seen in recent years or that we will see coming behind in for a few years.
But at the head of the class is a big-time player that ranks among the top 30 players nationally - Rockcastle County's Sara Hammond.
The 6-foot-2 Hammond has been solid for three years and was sensational this summer for her Kentucky Premier AAU team.
Hammond has a bevy of schools after her and Louisville is one of the tops on her list but recently she's been contacted by two-time defending national champion Connecticut and that staff is expected to watch her this summer.
Hammond is the clear-cut No. 1 and leading candidate for Miss Basketball next season. Here's a look at the rest of the top players in the '11 class.
1. Sara Hammond, Rockcastle County, 6-2 - So strong and so versatile. She simply is the best prospect in the state.
2. Chastity Gooch, Franklin-Simpson, 6-1 - Was injured for a good portion of last season and still turned in a big-time year.
3. Adrienne Tarrence, Bowling Green, 5-8 - Big-time athlete and improving skill set.
4. Lauren Tibbs, Scott, 6-4 - She's the most underreated player in the state; she can be dominating at times.
5. Kristen Stainback, Scott County, 5-9 - Would have been the Sweet 16 MVP last year had her team won in the title game. She's solid all-around.
6. Averee Fields, Calloway County, 6-2
7. Whitney Jackson, Clay County, 6-1
8. Kenyatta Drake, Madisonville, 5-10
9. Teonia McCune, Fern Creek, 6-4
10. Mechael Guess, Manual, 5-11
11. Abby Jump, Ryle, 5-5
12. Natalie Greenwell, Elizabethtown, 5-6
13. Carla Booth, Sheldon Clark, 5-7
14. Morgan Clemons, Sacred Heart, 5-11
15. Juliann Miller, Mercy, 5-9
16. Kristin Perry, West Carter, 6-0
17. Danay Fothergill, Pulaski Southwestern, 5-8
18. Jenna Cornelison, Madison Central, 5-9
19. Jaylan Bodiford, Ballard, 6-4
20. Shomari Kendrick, 6-2
21. Sydni Wainscott, Simon Kenton, 5-5
22. Preshia Rogers, Clark County, 5-7
23. Chelsey Smith, Pineville, 5-7
24. Adelaide Luckett, Elizabethtown, 6-0
25. Maddie Peabody, Sacred Heart, 5-5
CLOSING IN ON THE LIST: Daziah Kimberland, Bardstown; Angie Lawrence, Rockcastle County; Tierra Hamilton, Rowan County; Megan Cureton, Butler; Arielle Keown, Ohio County; Brianna Averette, Central; Brooke Coleman, Shelby Valley; Abby Janszen, St. Henry; Kelsey Mitchell, Barren County; Heather Wheat, Butler; Sam Gabbard, Muhlenberg County; Nicole Coffman, Casey County; Jillnell Bevins, Belfry; Taylor Hott, Betsy Layne.
But at the head of the class is a big-time player that ranks among the top 30 players nationally - Rockcastle County's Sara Hammond.
The 6-foot-2 Hammond has been solid for three years and was sensational this summer for her Kentucky Premier AAU team.
Hammond has a bevy of schools after her and Louisville is one of the tops on her list but recently she's been contacted by two-time defending national champion Connecticut and that staff is expected to watch her this summer.
Hammond is the clear-cut No. 1 and leading candidate for Miss Basketball next season. Here's a look at the rest of the top players in the '11 class.
1. Sara Hammond, Rockcastle County, 6-2 - So strong and so versatile. She simply is the best prospect in the state.
2. Chastity Gooch, Franklin-Simpson, 6-1 - Was injured for a good portion of last season and still turned in a big-time year.
3. Adrienne Tarrence, Bowling Green, 5-8 - Big-time athlete and improving skill set.
4. Lauren Tibbs, Scott, 6-4 - She's the most underreated player in the state; she can be dominating at times.
5. Kristen Stainback, Scott County, 5-9 - Would have been the Sweet 16 MVP last year had her team won in the title game. She's solid all-around.
6. Averee Fields, Calloway County, 6-2
7. Whitney Jackson, Clay County, 6-1
8. Kenyatta Drake, Madisonville, 5-10
9. Teonia McCune, Fern Creek, 6-4
10. Mechael Guess, Manual, 5-11
11. Abby Jump, Ryle, 5-5
12. Natalie Greenwell, Elizabethtown, 5-6
13. Carla Booth, Sheldon Clark, 5-7
14. Morgan Clemons, Sacred Heart, 5-11
15. Juliann Miller, Mercy, 5-9
16. Kristin Perry, West Carter, 6-0
17. Danay Fothergill, Pulaski Southwestern, 5-8
18. Jenna Cornelison, Madison Central, 5-9
19. Jaylan Bodiford, Ballard, 6-4
20. Shomari Kendrick, 6-2
21. Sydni Wainscott, Simon Kenton, 5-5
22. Preshia Rogers, Clark County, 5-7
23. Chelsey Smith, Pineville, 5-7
24. Adelaide Luckett, Elizabethtown, 6-0
25. Maddie Peabody, Sacred Heart, 5-5
CLOSING IN ON THE LIST: Daziah Kimberland, Bardstown; Angie Lawrence, Rockcastle County; Tierra Hamilton, Rowan County; Megan Cureton, Butler; Arielle Keown, Ohio County; Brianna Averette, Central; Brooke Coleman, Shelby Valley; Abby Janszen, St. Henry; Kelsey Mitchell, Barren County; Heather Wheat, Butler; Sam Gabbard, Muhlenberg County; Nicole Coffman, Casey County; Jillnell Bevins, Belfry; Taylor Hott, Betsy Layne.