The 58th District is unlike any other District in the 15th Region where seven of the 8 teams (Boys and Girls) have a legitimate shot at winning the District.
The Prestonsburg Lady Blackcats enter the 2022-2023 season with a lot of optimism. The Lady Blackcats will be looking to break into the Regional tournament for the first time under Coach Brandon Kidd’s leadership. Last season the Lady Blackcats finished 21-9 record and lost in the first round of district play.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING – Senior Celina Mullins will be the undisputed leader of the Blackcats this season. Mullins was a walking “double double” last season that saw her average 12.4 points per game and 11.3 rebounds per game. Mullins has put the work in this off season and has got considerably bigger and stronger than a year ago. We look for her to have a break out year.
Senior Kylie Tackett will play a bigger role in the Lady Blackcat offense than a year ago. Tackett averaged 8.0 per game last season. Tackett is one of the Blackcats leading 3 point threats.
Depth will be to the advantage for Coach Brandon Kidd’s squad as plays his up tempo, pressing and three point shooting offense. We look for Sophomore Aubrey Prater and Freshman Allison Howard to play a huge role for the Lady Blackcats .
KEY LOSSES- The Lady Blackcats lost 4 seniors off of last years squad. None were bigger than Faith Lazar. Lazar was a big offensive threat scoring 16.2 points per game. She has long been a fixture in the Lady Blackcat offense and will surely be missed.
FINAL THOUGHTS – The 58th District has 3 of the Top 6 teams in the 15th Region on the girls side. Through out the last 5 years the Lady Blackcat have been the best team to never make the Region but with this group anything can change.
The Blackcats will have a new coach to attempt to lead them back to the 15th Region tournament. Coach Chase Parsley takes a young group of Blackcats that are eager to prove to everyone they are back. The Blackcats finished last season with a 5-23 season but everyone could see the growth and maturity each game.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING – In a unique situation, Prestonsburg returns everyone from last years squad. Senior Caleb Lawson led the team in scoring last season with a 10.5 point per game average. Lawson is currently out for a few weeks due to an injury. We look for the high flyer to make a big return for his senior season.
The most consistent Blackcat was Jacob Slone. As a freshman Slone averaged nearly 8 points per game but showed ability to create his own shot. Next bring in Sharp Shooter Kaden Allen. Allen, a Sophomore, averaged 8.1 points per game and really showed progress as the season moved forward.
The big advantage that Prestonsburg has over other teams in the district is big man Conner Napier. Napier is a bruiser who will battle inside and get 6-8 point and 8-10 rebounds for the Blackcats this season.
The Blackcats have a number of players who can come in and provide solid minutes such as: Wes Salisbury, Grant Varney, Jaxon Estridge, Brian Halbert, Mason Stidham.
Now add in the 8th Grade transfer from Mullins of Braxton Keathley and the Blackcats have a young nucleus that will be dangerous in the upcoming years.
KEY LOSSES -Prestonsburg is in a unique situation that they had no seniors on last years roster.
FINAL THOUGHTS – The young Blackcats may struggle early in the year but as they learn a new system and become comfortable with new players, they will be dangerous. They will have an opportunity to become spoiler as the year goes on.
