Kentucky Represents at Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase

Anna Rodgers, Taryn Morris, Audrey Potempa, Amaya Asher & Lacey Bradshaw

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has always had a reputation as a “Basketball State,” and from what we saw last Saturday at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase, the reputation is well deserved and includes the girl’s side of the game.  Thanks to James Schuler and his Go Hard in the Paint organization, the showcase was able to host very competitive Ohio vs Kentucky all-star games to tip off the event.

Although Team Ohio’s 2022 squad would get the opening series win, Team Kentucky’s 2024 team would avenge the loss with a thrilling come from behind 39-38 win. The star of the game for Kentucky was Anna Rodgers (5’7”/SG/2024/Louisville, KY) who scored a game-high 10 points. According to her showcase coach, Rodgers has a high basketball IQ, is very aggressive and is an excellent defender.  For her efforts, Rodgers was selected as her team’s “Top Prospect.”

Other standouts for Kentucky included Taryn Morris (5’7”/PF/2024/Louisville, KY), who caught our eye with her combination of size and skill.  The lefty was big enough to dominate the boards, but skilled enough to push the ball in transition and finish at a high rate.  Morris also has the ability to knock down the 3-ball, and she has a great personality!  We also really liked the toughness of Audrey Potempa (5’2”/PG/2024/Louisville, KY).  Potempa also showed good court vision and the ability to find open teammates, and was very active both defensively and offensively. 

Jada Hughes (5’5”/SG/2024/KY) also showed good court vision and ball skills. Amaya Asher (5’6”/PG/2022/KY) was ranked as the #1 player on her showcase team and was selected as one of the team’s “Most Skilled” players. She has a high basketball IQ, and can either shoot it or drive to the bucket.  Lacey Bradshaw (5’8”/PG/2022/Kentucky) also had a great day and was ranked second by her showcase coach. She was also selected as her team’s “Ms. Hustle.” Bradshaw attacks the basket, is intense and is a great defender.  Hopefully at our September showcase we can get more of Kentucky’s top girls!