The third annual 9 vs. 10 Challenge heads to the historic Augusta Gymnasium on Saturday. This year’s classic is sponsored by DBL Law. Records and stats are from Thursday at 12:00 pm on Riherds.

Highlands vs. Montgomery County

12:00 pm – Girls

This game will bring two former Miss Basketballs to Augusta. Highlands is coached by Jamie Walz Richey, 1996 Miss Basketball, and is in her 22nd season as coach of her alma mater. Montgomery County’s star player, Hayden Barrier, is the daughter of 1998 Miss Basketball Beth Vice Barrier.

The Lady Bluebirds (14-6) are led by 6’3″ junior Marissa Green. Green is averaging 16.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. She has offers from several D1 mid-majors like Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State, Murray State, and Marshall. Second in scoring is sophomore Saylor Macke who averages 7.0 points with 3.2 rebounds. Highlands assistant coach Victoria Dunlap played at Kentucky and in the WBNA.

The Lady Indians (14-6) are led by potential 10th Region Player of the Year and Miss Basketball hopeful Hayden Barrier. She is averaging 18.3 points per game and 3.4 rebounds. Savannah Jarvis, junior, is second in scoring for Montgomery County with 9.4 points and leads with 7.7 rebounds. This week, they defeated Bracken County 58-48 and Mason County 69-38.

Lloyd Memorial vs. Augusta

1:30 pm – Girls

They Lady Juggernauts (9-12) are led by senior Sierra McCoin, who is scoring 15.3 points per game. Their leading rebounder is sophomore Mya Holden with 6.2 per game, and she follows in points with 8.6 per game.

The Lady Panthers (10-9) are led by the dynamic duo of Laci and Reagan Tackett. Laci is a sophomore and Reagan is a junior. Reagan is averaging 14.4 points and 3.1 rebounds while Laci is adding 13.6 and 1.5. Leading Augusta in rebounds is sophomore Kalleigh Reynolds with 8.1 per game.

Cooper vs. Mason County

3:00 pm – Boys

The Jaguars (15-7) are on a hot streak, having won their last six games. They defeated Covington Catholic 65-55 on the road. They are led by junior point guard Yamil Rondon, who is averaging 13.7 points per game. Their big man, 6’6″ senior Shaun Pouncy, is averaging 14.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Pouncy has only played in 15 of the teams 21 games due to his football state championship appearance and injury. Yamil Rondon missed Thursday’s game in their 49-41 win over Campbell County, and is questionable for Saturday.

The Royals (14-7) are led by Jake Feldhaus. Feldhaus is sophomore averaging 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game (KHSAA lists him as 5’10” but he is much taller). He is shooting 62.9% from the field, and it will interesting to see how Cooper’s size will affect his play. Senior Braylon Hamilton is averaging 12.7 points per game and shooting almost 40% from three. Returning to the Royals lineup is Carter McClanahan who has only played in 8 games so far due to a reoccurring hip injury. Three-sport athletes Jake Scilley and Cole Horch add size and strength to the team. The Royals host Conner on Friday.

Dayton vs. Bracken County

4:30 pm – Boys

The Green Devils (5-17) are led in scoring by senior Mason Johnson who is putting up 22.4 points per game with 6.5 rebounds. Second in scoring and rebounding is senior Eric Solano with 12.3 and 4.6.

The Polar Bears (6-16) are led by senior Chase Archibald who is averaging 18.9 points. Following is junior Noah Nelson with 13.7 points. Bracken County plays at Augusta on Friday night.

Dixie Heights vs. Augusta

6:00 pm – Boys

The Colonels (11-9) are led by senior Hudson Blank with 15.8 points and junior Griffin Derry with 14.4 points. Both lead the team in rebounding as well. Derry is shooting 49.1% from three (54/110). Dixie Heights plays Ludlow on Friday. Their last two games they lost to Grant County 57-43 and beat Villa Madonna 68-31.

The Panthers (14-5) have won six of their last seven games. They are led in scoring by 10th Region Player of the Year candidate Kylan Hinson, who is scoring 19.5 points per per game with 6.6 rebounds. Second and third is Conner Snapp with 15.8 points and Keeton Bach with 13.3 points. Bach is shooting 46% from three (40/87). Point guard Devante Jefferson is fourth in scoring with 9.4 a game. The Panthers are a well-shooting team, shooting 50% from the field with Kylan Hinson shooting 60.4%. Their starting five is also shooting over 70% from the free throw line.