CHASING THE CROWN: Girls' 12th Region Tournament begins Monday

When the 2023 season was done and dusted, the Boyle County Lady Rebels had claimed the 12th Region championship with an undefeated record against regional competition, with the Rebels also managing a state semifinal appearance in the process in what was a banner year for Boyle County. Fast forward a year, and Boyle is once again one of the favorites to be representing the region, with the field largely the same sans one team.

Boyle County

What more can be said about the 45th District winner Rebels than what was said above? They already have a championship this season in form of the Kentucky 2A title en route to a 14-6-2 record. Although that isn't the best record in the region, consider that some of their losses were to Lexington Catholic, George Rogers Clark, Central Hardin and Sacred Heart, along with wins over Louisville Christian Academy and Johnson Central (their ONLY loss of the season). This is a legit team and is a threat to win their second-straight title.

Featuring 10 different players with a goal, including leading scorers juniors Maggie Burke (19 goals) and Addison Hazlett (17 goals and 11 assists), this offense can score with the best of them in the state. Senior goalkeeper Addie Cannon has been strong in net as well for the Rebels, notching 86 saves to go along with three shutout performances. Only one team in the region gave them a challenge this season, more on that in a bit.

Lincoln County

The runners-up in the 45th District, the Lady Patriots return to the regional tournament after missing last year's. Lincoln has had an up-and-down season throughout their 2024 campaign with a 9-11-1 record, but do have an impressive win on their resume, as they are one of only three teams to defeat Southwestern this season. That's a feat that even Boyle County can't claim this season (at least not yet).

The Patriots have three goal scorers in double digits this season, led by sophomore sensation Mia Bodner (18 goals) and senior Hallie Mullins (15 goals), while fellow senior Ella Franklin has 10 goals and 13 assists on the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Bowman has been serviceable throughout this year, recording four clean sheets in net.

West Jessamine

The 46th District champ Colts are always here, although their long regional tournament winning streak came to an end last season. That might well have been an end of a dynasty as well, as West has a 4-8-3 record this year. That record might be slightly misleading though, as losses have come to such teams as Lexington Catholic, Bowling Green and Madison Central. They are undefeated against regional opponents, however.

Their two main scorers are junior Joanna Tucker (nine goals) and freshman Katie Absher (seven goals), but this isn't the high-scoring offense many are used to from the Colts. The defense on the other hand, has been stifling. Freshman goalkeeper Sophie Bolton has been extremely efficient in net, recording 78 saves and two shutouts while allowing just 20 goals this season. You simply cannot discount a team as well coached as West Jessamine usually is.

East Jessamine

After making the regional semifinals last season, the Lady Jaguars have once again had a solid season and finished as runners-up in the 46th District. They boast an 11-8-1 record, with three of those losses coming to their rivals from West Jessamine. Take out those three games, and the Jags are undefeated against regional competition.

East features a trio of solid scorers in senior Abigail Turner (18 goals), junior Jocelyn Vesci (17 goals) and junior Macey Cleaver (15 goals). They also have one of the better goalkeepers in the state in sophomore Maddy Arnold, who has 183 saves to rank 23rd in the state in that category. Arnold also has recorded two shutouts in net on the season. Depending on the draw, the Jags could definitely make a run.

Somerset

Tori Robertson. That's all. The leading goal scorer in the state plays for the 47th District champion Lady Jumpers, and that alone will give them a chance to be hoisting the trophy by the end of the tournament. Okay, so that's not the only reason, but Robertson has 71 total goals on the season. Crazy stuff. Somerset has a record of 14-6-1 this season, with losses coming against tough competition such as Green County, Sayre, Southwestern and North Laurel. The Jumpers have also only lost twice to regional competition, with those coming against Southwestern and Garrard County.

To go along with her 71 goals, Robertson also has 14 assists to lead her team. The offense doesn't just stop there however, as fellow seniors Isabella McKenzie (24 goals and nine assists) and Bella Gregory (eight goals) also strong contributors to their offense. They will have to score in bunches though, as their defense has been less-than-stellar this season. Senior goalkeeper Aijah Carrender and freshman keeper Caitlyn Sears have split time in net this season. The Jumpers are also the hosts this season, giving them homefield advantage.

Pulaski County

The 47th District runners-up, the Lady Maroons have battled all season long despite almost constantly being the youngest team on the field, as evidenced by their four ties in their 9-7-4 record. They do have a solid win against Whitley County this year, as well as a tie against a very strong Russell County team.

The Maroons have 15 different players, you read that right, that have at least one goal on the year, not bad for a team that has just four seniors on its roster. They are led by junior Chloe Stogsdil (six goals) and freshman Addisyn Dopp (five goals), as well as a very strong defensive backline featuring senior Simi McAlpin. They also have a strong goalkeeper in sophomore Jessica Phillippi, who is 41st in the state with 154 saves to go along with four shutouts.

Southwestern

Looking to make it back to their first regional final since 2021, the Warriors won the 48th District title once again and look to be one of the biggest threats to reigning champions Boyle County. Southwestern has lost just three games, to Lincoln County, Garrard County and a very strong Frederick Douglass squad, and was the closest team in the region to taking down Boyle County with a 0-0 tie. They also had a 10-game winning streak earlier in the season.

Freshman Shayla Jones (18 goals and 17 assists) has been a crucial part to this team, with junior Lilly Nelson (18 goals) and senior Destiny Sadler (10 goals and nine assists) also helping to lead the way. Jessalyn Flynn has been ferocious on the defensive side of the ball over the course of her career and has stepped up in a massive way her senior season by also scoring eight goals. Senior goalkeeper Jaycee Daulton has been one of the best goalkeepers in the region, totaling 83 saves while allowing just 18 goals to go along with six shutouts.

Wayne County

The Lady Cards finished as runners-up in the 48th District, but have played well as of late. Their offense can score and score in bunches, evidenced by scoring 14 goals in a game earlier in the season. They have a record of 10-9-1 heading into the regional tournament, with a solid win over Whitley County in their basket.

The offense goes through one player and that is junior Allison Perez, who has scored 26 goals on the season, with fellow junior Joyce Domingues also contributing nine goals. The Cards have a freshman in goal in Evelyn Pop, but don't let the fact that she is an underclassman fool you, as she is 44th in the state with 145 saves on the season to go along with three shutout performances in net. Wayne just might be able to pull an upset if the draw is good for them.

Games kick off Monday, with the games being hosted by Somerset High School at Clara Morrow Field, and here is the breakdown of the bracket!

Game 1: Boyle County vs Pulaski County at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

The Lady Rebels and the Lady Maroons did not play during the regular season, but Boyle is 10-0 against Pulaski since 2003.

Game 2: Southwestern vs East Jessamine at 8:30 p.m. on Monday.

The Warriors did not play the Lady Jaguars during the regular season, but Southwestern lost to East Jessamine 1-0 in the first round of the regional tournament last year and is 3-13 against the Jags since 2000.

Game 3: West Jessamine vs Lincoln County at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Colts did not play the Lady Patriots during the regular season, but West Jessamine is 6-1 against Lincoln since 2000.

Game 4: Somerset vs Wayne County at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Lady Jumpers downed the Lady Cardinals 7-0 earlier in the season, and are a perfect 17-0 against Wayne since 2009.

Semifinals: Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Championship Game: Saturday at 1 p.m.

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