Barring any major upsets during this week’s district tournaments, eight solid teams should be advancing into next week’s 10th Region Tournament. The semifinal and championship rounds will be hosted on the Hilltop at Harrison County High School, while the opening round games will be played at the home sites of the district champions.

The eight‑team field won’t lack quality, experience, young talent, or firepower. Several programs have the pieces to make things interesting once they move beyond district play, and a few dark horses will be lurking, hoping to catch the right opponent on the wrong night.

But the reality remains unchanged… GRC is still the team everyone must go through if they plan on reaching Rupp Arena. The Lady Cards have been the region’s measuring stick from day one, and until someone proves otherwise, they remain the standard the rest of the 10th is chasing.

Below is a closer look at each district as postseason play gets underway on Monday.

37th District Tournament

Site: Campbell County MS
Streaming: Not available.

#2 Bishop Brossart (24-6) vs. #3 Scott (10-17)
Monday, Feb. 23 — 7:00 p.m.

In a three‑team district where each school plays the others only once in the regular season, the top finisher earns an automatic berth to the regional tournament. That honor went to Campbell County, leaving Brossart and Scott to battle for the right to challenge the Lady Camels for the 37th District crown. Brossart handled Scott convincingly in their regular season meeting, winning 86-64 behind standout performances from juniors Hadley Eviston (29 points) and Greylee Kramer (22 points). That victory continued a long‑running trend in the series, with the Lady ’Stangs taking 10 of the last 12 matchups.

Doctor’s Diagnosis: The district tournament has belonged to Brossart in recent years, with the Lady ’Stangs winning four of the last five titles, including last season’s championship. Yes, Brossart has dropped five of its last eight, but that late-season slide doesn’t erase the talent on the roster or the program’s postseason pedigree. Sophomore Kylie Smith, an All‑Region First Team selection, gives them a dynamic presence who can change the flow of a game on both ends. For Coach Eric Pouncy’s Lady Eagles to stay in this one, they’ll need to control the pace, limit turnovers, and find enough offense to keep Brossart from pulling away early.

Campbell County head coach Davey Johnson, recently named 10th Region Coach of the Year by his regional peers, has guided the Lady Camels (20-6) to a firm hold on the No. 2 spot in the 10th Region all season despite a rugged schedule. Led by the KABC 10th Region Co-Player of the Year Isabella Jayasuriya, the Lady Camels are tough, disciplined, and battle-tested. Brossart is tough, disciplined, and used to winning this event. Unless Coach Aaron Stamm’s squad slips against Scott, who has been without sophomore sensation Sydney Richmond, the 37th District championship should once again deliver a compelling matchup between two teams nobody wants to see in the opening round of the regional tournament.

Named to the Coaches Association’s All‑Region team from this district were Jayasuriya (first team), Smith (first team), Scott’s Noelle Price (second team), Campbell’s Kendall Augsback (third team), Eviston (honorable mention), and Kramer (honorable mention). It’s a strong collection of talent that reflects just how competitive this district has been all season. Taken together, this group shows why the district has produced tight battles, signature wins, and several teams capable of making noise beyond this week.

Scoring Leaders:

Bishop Brossart: Kylie Smith (So.) 18.1 ppg; Greylee Kramer (Jr.) 11.9 ppg; Hadley Eviston (Jr.) 10.2 ppg; Rachel Shewmaker (Sr.) 7.0 ppg

Scott: Noelle Price (So.) 19.4 ppg; Sydney Richmond (So.) 12.7 ppg; Molly Porada (Fr.) 8.8 ppg; Ava Karl (Jr.) 3.2 ppg

Campbell County: Isabella Jayasuriya (Sr.) 15.8 ppg, 9.9 rpg; Kendall Augsback (So.) 10.5 ppg; Faith Whitford (Sr.) 9.0 ppg; Madeleine Barbian (Sr.) 5.8 ppg

38th District Tournament

Site: Nicholas County
Streaming: NFHS Network

#1 Pendleton County (17-6) vs. #4 Robertson County (4-17)
Monday, Feb. 23 — 6:00 p.m.

Coach Patrick Kelsch’s Lady Cats have lived inside the 10th Region’s top tier all season, and nothing about this first‑round matchup suggests their postseason run will be interrupted. Pendleton dominated the regular‑season series with wins of 81‑26 and 94‑16, highlighting the gap between the two programs this year.

Doctor’s Diagnosis: Pendleton County has looked the part of a legitimate region contender from November to February, and that confidence comes from a roster built around proven talent. Lilly Ashcraft (All‑Region second team) anchors the attack with her scoring. Hannah Spaulding, Selena Rarrieck, and Laci Tackett (Honorable Mention All‑Region) round out a quartet that gives Kelsch balance, and experience. The Lady Cats closed the regular season winning 7 of their last 9, and history is firmly on their side, Pendleton has beaten Robertson 17 of the last 18 meetings, a trend that should continue Monday night unless something wildly unexpected happens. It’s been a difficult season for Coach Brian Dufresne and the Lady Devils. Junior Peyton Jolly has been a bright spot, competing hard and producing despite constant defensive attention. But for Robertson to pull off a postseason shocker, Jolly will need not just a big night, she’ll need help from multiple teammates stepping into roles they haven’t consistently filled this year.

Scoring Leaders:

Pendleton County: Lilly Ashcraft (Sr.) 16.2 ppg; Hannah Spaulding (Jr.) 12.7 ppg and 7.0 rpg; Selena Rarrieck (Jr.) 10.2 ppg; Laci Tackett (Sr.) 9.6 ppg

Robertson County: Peyton Jolly (Jr.) 12.6 ppg; Camryn Collins (Sr.) 3.7 ppg; Allison Miller (So.) 3.6 ppg; Carly Smith (So.) 2.3 ppg

#2 Nicholas County (16-12) vs. #3 Harrison County (12-16)
Monday, Feb. 23 — 7:45 p.m.

The Nicholas County Lady Jackets are eyeing a third straight 38th District title, a feat they haven’t accomplished since their days in the old 37th District, when they captured three straight tournament championships in 1992, 1993, and 1994. That run, of course, included the legendary 1993 squad that won the KHSAA State Championship, still the only girls’ team from the 10th Region to ever claim the crown. They may soon have company, though, as George Rogers Clark continues to position itself as a legitimate contender to win the state title.

Doctor’s Diagnosis: It’s always a luxury to have the 10th Region Player of the Year on your roster, and Maggie Simons gives Nicholas County a fighting chance every time she steps on the floor. The junior star, currently the state’s 12th leading scorer, is surrounded by a wave of young talent that continues to grow up fast. Zoe Brown, an honorable‑mention All‑Region pick, can stretch the floor with her three‑point shooting. Still, Nicholas goes as Simons goes. Harrison County, in the first meeting this season, held Simons to just 13 points in a 53‑29 Nicholas win. But the rematch showed why this team is dangerous even when Simons isn’t pouring in 30. In that 58‑29 victory, she posted a steady 15 points and 12 rebounds while the youth movement took over, eighth grader Sidney Sexton scored 13, freshman Vella Dunn added 12, and seventh grader Reese Brown chipped in 12. That kind of balanced production makes Nicholas far more than a one player show. For Harrison County to pull the upset, Keylee Custard must play like the senior leader she’s been all season, and Elisa Williams will have to provide scoring and toughness on both ends. They’ll have to control tempo, limit turnovers, and somehow keep Simons from taking over the game, a tall order for any team, let alone one trying to flip the script after two lopsided losses to the Lady Jackets.

Scoring Leaders:

Nicholas County: Maggie Simons (Jr.) 23.6 ppg and 7.4 rpg; Zoe Brown (7th) 9.8 ppg; Loralee Orazen (Jr.) 7.9 ppg; Sidney Sexton (8th) 6.8 ppg

Harrison County: Keylee Custard (Sr.) 14.9 ppg; Kaylee Banks (So.) 5.3 ppg; Elisa Williams (Jr.) 5.1 ppg; Naomi Farrar-Laws (So.) 4.3 ppg

39th District Tournament

Site: Mason County
Streaming: Hudl Fan

#1 Mason County (15-9) vs. #4 St. Patrick (2-20)
Monday, Feb. 23 at 6:00 p.m.

Coach Jay Fite’s Lady Royals won the regular season meetings by scores of 67‑30 and 61‑28, and nothing suggests the third matchup will look much different. Mason County has beaten its rival 17 straight times, and all signs point to that streak growing by one more. After winning eight consecutive district titles earlier in the decade, the Lady Royals will now be aiming for their first crown since 2022. St. Patrick, to its credit, has reached five of the last ten championship games, but the gap between these two programs remains significant.

Doctor’s Diagnosis: When you look at this matchup, the only real question is how many points and rebounds St. Patrick senior Lillian Klee, a third‑team All‑Region selection, will produce. She enters the postseason as the No. 1 scorer in the state and ranks seventh in rebounds, an impressive feat considering the youth around her. She has been the steady anchor for Coach Isaac Klee’s Lady Saints, who snapped an 18‑game losing streak by winning their regular‑season finale, a night in which Klee led the way with 33 points and 15 rebounds. But even with her production, it’s hard to see St. Patrick having enough to overcome a Mason County team with far more depth, size, and experience, including seven seniors. The Lady Royals will be led by one of those seniors, Amirah Reed, who was recently named to the All‑Region second team. Add in a strong late season win over Nicholas County, a night where Reed poured in 28 points and Olivia Hughes added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and it becomes clear why Mason County is expected to punch yet another ticket to the 10th Region Tournament. The Lady Royals, who have reached the region in 13 of the last 14 seasons, should be in firm control of this one.

Scoring Leaders:

Mason County: Amirah Reed (Sr.) 18.2 ppg; Kyleigh Kirk (Jr.) 10.2 ppg; Olivia Hughes (Sr.) 8.9 ppg; Carlee Buttery (Sr.) 9.0 ppg

St. Patrick: Lillian Klee (Sr.) 29.2 ppg and 13.9 rpg; Elizabeth Tucker (8th) 3.0 ppg; Sydney Arn (Sr.) 1.6 ppg; Khloe Henderson (8th) 1.3 ppg

No. 2 Bracken County (14-12) vs. No. 3 Augusta (7-13)
Monday, Feb. 23 — 7:30 p.m.

Coach Jonathon Nelson’s Lady Bears, the defending three‑time district champions, hit a rough patch down the stretch, dropping six of their final seven games. But Coach Dana Bach’s Augusta Lady Panthers didn’t exactly cruise into the postseason either, battling late season sickness and injuries before closing the year with a solid win over Lewis County. Bracken County has controlled this rivalry for years, winning 11 of the last 12 matchups, including this season’s victories by scores of 64‑40 and 50‑34.

Doctor’s Diagnosis: Bracken County doesn’t lack for talent. The Lady Bears placed two players on the Coaches Association’s All‑Region team: Kailey Sharp on the second team and Kyndall Johnson as an honorable mention. And while the roster lists five seniors, it’s the trio of sophomores, including Sharp and Johnson, who drive the engine. Their production, poise, and consistency have shaped the identity of this group and kept the Lady Bears firmly in the district title conversation. Their athleticism, scoring ability, and defensive pressure give Bracken a clear advantage in this matchup. For Augusta to pull the upset, they’ll need to play a near-perfect game, limit turnovers, control tempo, and hope for a cold shooting night from the Lady Bears. Even then, it still may not be enough. Bracken County is chasing a fourth straight district title and a fifth consecutive trip to the regional tournament, and the Lady Bears know how to manage this stage. Augusta’s young group has shown flashes, but overcoming Bracken’s depth, experience, and postseason pedigree is a tall order.

Scoring Leaders:

Bracken County: Kailey Sharp (So.) 19.0 ppg; Kyndall Johnson (So.) 13.4 ppg; Sophia Bachman (So.) 6.9 ppg; Ella Burton (Sr.) 5.5 ppg

Augusta: Kahghan Hinson (Fr.) 12.0 ppg; Aryanna Davis (Fr.) 9.1 ppg; Kalleigh Reynolds (Sr.) 5.8 ppg; Samantha Young (Fr.) 4.5 ppg

40th District Tournament

Site: Montgomery County
Streaming: Hudl Fan

#1 George Rogers Clark (24‑2) vs. #4 Bourbon County (11‑19)
Monday, Feb. 23 @ 6:00 p.m.

Coach Robbie Graham’s top‑ranked Lady Cardinals enter the postseason looking every bit like a group built for a long March stay. Their dominance inside the 40th District has been absolute, punctuated by two lopsided wins over Coach Kylie Hilander’s young Bourbon County squad, 75-19 in Winchester and 74-16 in Paris. GRC’s depth, defensive pressure, and ability to overwhelm teams in waves have made them one of the most complete outfits in the state. If they continue to defend with the same intensity and share the scoring the way they have all season, the road to Rupp will once again run straight through Winchester.

Doctor’s Diagnosis: An already elite team somehow found another gear. The late addition of eighth‑grade phenom Jylin Edmonson has only strengthened a roster that was already one of the deepest in Kentucky. Add in last week’s statement victories over Butler, Sacred Heart, snapping a 10‑game losing streak to the five‑time defending state champions, and Frederick Douglass, and it’s clear GRC is peaking at exactly the right time. Their decade-long dominance of the 40th District shows no signs of slowing, and a 13th consecutive title seems well within reach. Bourbon County’s young roster made noticeable strides down the stretch, but the Lady Colonels are still developing and not yet equipped to match the depth and experience of the Lady Cards, who had three players listed on the Coaches Association’s All-Region team. Kennedy Stamper (first team), Teigh Yeast (second team), and Kyleigh Chestnut (honorable mention). Yeast would later share the KABC 10th Region Player of the Year honors, while becoming a candidate for Miss Kentucky Basketball. Bourbon’s most dependable player down the stretch has been senior center Regan Ring, who has averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds over the Lady Colonels’ last six games, a surge that helped produce four wins and gave the group some much‑needed momentum. But for Hilander’s team to have any chance of handling the relentless pressure GRC is about to bring, Ring can’t shoulder the load alone. The supporting cast will have to value possessions, make shots, and match the Lady Cardinals’ physicality for all four quarters if they hope to keep this one competitive.

Scoring Leaders:

George Rogers Clark: Kennedy Stamper (Jr.) 13.2 ppg; Teigh Yeast (Sr.) 11.8 ppg; Kyleigh Chestnut (So.) 10.7 ppg; Eliyah Strode (8th) 10.0 ppg; Jylin Edmonson (8th) 10.2 ppg

Bourbon County: Paisely Hutchison (So.) 9.0 ppg; Regan Ring (Sr.) 7.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg; Kendal Hardin (8th) 6.9 ppg; Leah Hinkson (7th) 5.1 ppg

#2 Montgomery County (19-9) vs. #3 Paris (16-13)
Monday, Feb. 23 @ 7:30 p.m.

The host Lady Indians have made it clear they’re not a team to overlook once the postseason lights come on. Their recent stretch speaks for itself, a win over Russell, one of the 16th Region’s top contenders, followed by a road victory at Bishop Brossart, the 10th Region’s third‑ranked team, as well as a one-point loss to Ashland, the top-ranked team in the 16th. Winners of 10 of their last 13, Coach Jordan Perry’s group is playing its best basketball at exactly the right time. They easily disposed of Paris twice during the regular season, 66-40 and 62-31, showing the gap between the two squads when Montgomery County is locked in.

Doctor’s Diagnosis: When Montgomery County is firing on all cylinders, especially when the perimeter shots are falling, they become a tough out for anyone. They even pushed GRC in their first meeting of the season, which still leaves me wondering why they haven’t been able to recapture that same edge against the Lady Cards since. But that thought can wait. First comes a Paris team that stumbled late before regaining its footing with two wins to close the regular season. As admirable as that bounce back was, it won’t be enough here. Montgomery County, with three players recognized on the Coaches Association’s All‑Region team, Addison Terry (first team), Elaine Purvis (third team), and Baylee Warner (third team), is simply too experienced, and too balanced. Expect them to punch their ticket to a sixth straight district championship game by taking care of Coach Aaron Speaks’ young Ladyhounds. Paris will lean heavily on senior Jamyah “MyMy” Bell and Molly Mason, a third‑team All‑Region selection who has been their most steady and reliable presence throughout the season. Molly ranks No. 2 in the region in total three‑pointers made with 63, trailing only Terry, who has knocked down 84 treys.

Scoring Leaders:

Paris: Molly Mason (Jr.) 12.6 ppg, 9.9 rpg; Jamyah Bell (Sr.) 10.5 ppg; Rose Hayden (8th) 5.9 ppg; Kyla Crutcher (Jr.) 5.4 ppg

Montgomery County: Addison Terry (Sr.) 17.7 ppg; Elane Purvis (Jr.) 13.2 PPG; Raegan Mays (Fr.) 10.0 ppg; Baylee Warner (Jr.) 11.7 ppg

_____________________

Doctor’s Prediction:

37th District:
Winner: Campbell County
Runner-up: Bishop Brossart

38th District:
Winner: Nicholas County
Runner-up: Pendleton County

39th District:
Winner: Mason County
Runner-up: Bracken County

40th District:
Winner: George Rogers Clark
Runner-up: Montgomery County

_____________________

The Doctor’s final 10th Region regular-season rankings:

1. George Rogers Clark
2. Campbell County
3. Montgomery County
4. Bishop Brossart
5. Mason County
6. Nicholas County
7. Pendleton County
8. Scott
9. Bourbon County
10. Bracken County
11. Harrison County
12. Paris
13. Augusta
14. Robertson County
15. St. Patrick

_____________________

10th Region Girls Basketball Tournament:
First Round at District Champions, March 2
Semifinals and Finals at Harrison County, March 6-7

Girls Basketball State Tournament:
Rupp Arena, March 11-14