Photo credits: DUSTY LAYNE
The talent level of outstanding girls’ basketball players in the 15th Region has reached an all-time high.
At least three of those players battled game in and game out to earn Mountain Top Sports’ Player of the Year award.
Lawrence County junior Kensley Feltner took the honor following a stellar season, averaging 26.9 points per game and better than nine rebounds, beating out Shelby Valley and Kentucky commit Cassidy Rowe.
Rowe, who averaged 16.1 points per game, captain’s a first team which includes teammate Alyssa Elswick (16.5 ppg.), and Pikeville’s Trinity Rowe (15.9 ppg.) and Kyera Thornsbury (11.3 ppg.), who guided Pikeville to a record fourth straight Sweet 16 berth.
Rounding out the team are Martin County’s Laken Williams (17.5 ppg.), Paintsville’s Emilea Preece (15.7 ppg.), Letcher Central’s Kaylee Banks (13.6 ppg.) and teammate Keira Couch (12.8 ppg.), as well as Floyd Central’s Kennedy Harvel (16.8 ppg) and Pike Centrals Emalie Tackett (13.2 ppg.).
Martin County’s Katie Marcum (16.2 ppg.) was chosen captain of the second team while Prestonsburg’s Faith Lazar (16.2 ppg.) leads the third team.
Here is a look at this year’s teams:
Player of the Year: Kensley Feltner, Jr., 26.9 ppg., Lawrence County
Coach of the Year: Kristy Orem, Pikeville
FIRST TEAM
Cassidy Rowe, Sr, Shelby Valley, 16.1 ppg. (Capt.)
Trinity Rowe, So., Pikeville, 15.9 ppg.
Laken Williams, So., Martin County, 17.5 ppg.
Emilea Preece, So., Paintsville, 15.7 ppg.
Kyera Thornsbury, So., Pikeville, 11.3 ppg.
Alyssa Elswick, Sr., Shelby Valley, 16.5 ppg.
Kaylee Banks, Sr., Letcher Central, 13.6 ppg.
Kennedy Harvel, So., Floyd Central, 16.8 ppg.
Emalie Tackett, Jr., Pike Central, 13.2 ppg.
Keira Couch, So., Letcher Central, 12.8 ppg.
SECOND TEAM
Katie Marcum, So., Martin County, 16.2 ppg. (Capt.)
Cushi Fletcher, Sr., Belfry, 15.6 ppg.
Rylee Theiss, So., Pikeville, 9 ppg.
Celina Mullins, Jr., Prestonsburg, 12.2 ppg.
Loren Boggs, Sr., Letcher Central, 9.7 ppg.
Madi Meade, Jr., Betsy Layne, 19.6 ppg.
Kylie Kinner, 7th, Paintsville, 11 ppg.
Kaison Ward, So., Lawrence County, 10.5 ppg.
Jada Johnson, So., Floyd Central, 11.4 ppg.
Hannah May, So., Pike Central, 12.3 ppg.
THIRD TEAM
Faith Lazar, Sr., Prestonsburg, 16.2 ppg. (Capt.)
Emma Ratliff, Sr., Pikeville, 8.2 ppg.
Ava Hyden, Sr., Paintsville, 5.4 ppg.
Leandra Curnutte, So., Lawrence County, 7.3 ppg.
Jenna Sparks, So., Belfry, 9 ppg.
Jaaliyah Warren, So., Martin County, 9.3 ppg.
Kristen Whited, So., Pikeville, 7.3 ppg.
Kim Akers, Sr, Betsy Layne, 9.3 ppg.
Leah Wells, Sr., East Ridge, 12.2 ppg.
Caleigh McCoy, 8th, Phelps, 15.1 ppg.