[Stardust]

MAGOFFIN COUNTY

Coach: Steve Miller.

Last trip to State: 2006 (lost to Elizabethtown 49-43 in first round).

What to look for: The Lady Hornets have given the region something to rally around after Salyersville was ravaged by a tornado on Friday. Miller said about 95 percent of the businesses on the main road in town were destroyed. Magoffin County is a relatively young team, with just one senior (Fletcher) among its top seven players. The Lady Hornets have won 15 in a row since losing to Owensboro Catholic 49-46 on Jan. 27 in the quarterfinals of the All “A” Classic.

Key player: She’s only 5 feet 2, but Castle plays big at point guard. “She’s surprisingly strong for her size, and she has a unique ability to get her shot off in traffic,” Miller said. “She shoots the ball pretty well from three, and probably her biggest attribute is that her motor runs all the time. She just never gives up.”

Coach-speak: “Right now we’re playing as well as we can possibly play,” Miller said.

Starters

11-Jamie Castle
5-2, So., 15.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg

15-Madison Reed
5-7, So., 12.6 ppg, 8 rpg

20-Nichole Fletcher
5-10, Sr., 7.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg

12-Morgan Connelley
5-7, Jr., 6.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg

5-Morgan Arnett
5-7, Jr., 7.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg

Key reserves

00-Jassmine Howard
5-4, 8th, 7.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg

31-Leslee Howard
5-5, 8th, 1.5 ppg


ASHLAND BLAZER

Coach: Bill Bradley.

Last trip to State: 1997 (lost to Elizabethtown 59-36 in quarterfinals).

What to look for: The Kittens beat Boyd County four times last season but lost the fifth meeting in the 16th Region final. With everyone back, they got revenge Saturday with a 55-44 victory for their first 16th Region crown since 1997. Seven players average between 5.7 and 11.7 points. Bradley believes regular-season games against top-20 teams Notre Dame, Newport Central Catholic and Madison Central — all losses — will have his team ready for the rigors of the Sweet 16.

Key player: Robinson, the freshman point guard, was the MVP of the regional tournament after scoring 15 points in the final. “Her skill level is off the charts,” Bradley said. “She’s really come to the forefront the last half of the season. She leads us in assists, blocked shots and steals. She’s one of those who can do it all.”

Coach-speak: “I think the best words to describe us are balance and depth and defense,” Bradley said.

Starters

32-Alexis Robinson
5-8, Fr., 9.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg

20-Kaylyn Gambill
5-6, Jr., 11.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg

44-Julia Heaberlin
5-11, Sr., 10.1 ppg, 9 rpg

23-Mykal Farris
5-8, Sr.. 9.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg

15-Sydney Cullop
5-7, Jr., 6.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg

Key reserves

00-Haley Sue Foutch
5-10, Fr., 6.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg

3-Allie Slone
5-8, Jr., 5.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg

4-Madison Jones
5-9, Jr., 3.8 ppg

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