Loaded Kelly Classic field brings star power, young talent, and defending champs to Russ Day Gym
What to expect from a field packed with youth, experience, and plenty of early-season storylines
IVAN K. RICE I doctorofsports@aol.com
PARIS, KY – The holiday season in Bourbon County means basketball, but this year’s Kelly Holiday Classic is shaping up to be more than just another tournament. Coach Kylie Hilander and the Bourbon County Lady Colonels have officially announced the eight-team field for the fourth annual event, which will run Saturday, December 27 through Monday, December 29 inside Russ Day Gym. The championship game is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. on the final night, and with the strength of this year’s field, that finale could be one of the best in the tournament’s young history.
NO EASY DRAW – Coach Kylie Hilander’s young, inexperienced Lady Colonels will need to elevate their play as they prepare to face a very talented field. Bourbon will play Fleming County on Saturday.
The Classic is hosted each year by the family of former Lady Colonel standout Kennedy Kelly, a 2019 graduate of the school and her sister Alexandria, a 2015 graduate. Their impact on the program continues to be honored through this event. What began as a meaningful tribute has grown into a respected holiday showcase, drawing competitive programs from across the state and giving young teams a chance to measure themselves against high-level opponents.
This year’s field is arguably the strongest yet. Johnson Central, the preseason No. 1 team in the 15th Region and ranked No. 22 statewide, headlines the group. They’re joined by Boyd County (No. 2 in Region 16), Lyon County (No. 3 in Region 2), and Montgomery County (No. 4 in Region 10). Every team in the bracket opened the season ranked inside their region’s top 10 … a testament to the tournament’s rising profile.
“The Kelly Family hosts a great tournament for us, and each year the competition level has increased,” Hilander said. “This is definitely our toughest field yet. We have Lyon County back for their fourth year in a row, and we also have a few other teams that have been ranked in the state. There will be a lot of great basketball for our young group to watch and learn from.”
Below is a full breakdown of the eight teams chasing the Classic crown, a title currently held by Lyon County, which returns with every intention of defending it.
SENIOR LEADER – Regan Ring is pictured scoring two points in a game last season against cross-town rival Paris. Ring, a senior, is averaging nearly 10 rebounds a game for the Colonels.
— MEET THE FIELD —
ADIAR COUNTY LADY INDIANS (REGION 5): Coach Hunter Cundiff’s Lady Indians enter at 2-3 and bring one of the youngest rosters in the entire tournament. Twelve of their 15 players are sophomores or younger, a number that explains both their early-season growing pains and their long-term potential. Senior Kinzlee Akin leads the team with 15.4 points per game, providing the experience and scoring punch needed to keep Adair competitive. Sophomore Reese Bardin adds 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while eighth grader Ila Loy contributes 11.2 points per outing, giving the Lady Indians a trio capable of producing offense against anyone in the field.
BOURBON COUNTY LADY COLONELS (REGION 10): The host Lady Colonels (1-6) have battled one of the toughest schedules among the eight teams, and their youth movement is one of the most dramatic in Kentucky. Coach Hilander’s rotation leans heavily on middle school talent, making every game a learning experience for a group that is gaining valuable varsity minutes. Sophomore Paisley Hutchison leads the team with 8.3 points per game, while eighth grader Kendall Hardin adds 6.3 points per game after earning honorable mention all-region honors as a seventh grader. Senior Regan Ring anchors the interior with an impressive 9.7 rebounds per game. Freshman Maddy Bezeau, eighth grader Madison Akemon, and seventh grader Leah Hinkson round out a roster that may be young but is steadily developing.
BOYD COUNTY LADY LIONS (REGION 16): Coach Kimberly Groves brings a 4-2 Lady Lions squad that plays fast, scores in bunches, and features one of the youngest high-powered lineups in the state. Boyd County is averaging nearly 70 points per game, a number fueled by a mix of upperclass leadership and middle school firepower. Junior Jada Ray, ranked as the eighth-best player in Region 16, leads the team with 19.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Behind her is a remarkable trio of eighth graders: Jylin Edmondson (13.8 ppg), Kollyn Groves (11.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg), and Zoey Smith (11.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg). With nine freshmen or middle schoolers on the roster, Boyd County is built for the future — but they’re already winning now.
SHE CAN STILL GO – Despite her slow start to this season, eighth grader Kendal Hardin, shown here during last season’s Kelly Classic, returns as Bourbon County’s top scorer and most dangerous three-point shooter after earning All-Region Honorable Mention honors last season.
EAST CARTER LADY RAIDERS (REGION 16): The Lady Raiders (7-1) enter the Classic with the most wins in the field and a balanced, disciplined approach that makes them a threat to win the whole thing. Ranked fifth in their region, East Carter is led by junior Brynlee Walker, who averages 12 points and 7 rebounds per game while shooting 85% from the free-throw line. Sophomore Jocelyn Rudd adds 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, while fellow sophomore Bristol Boggs contributes 11.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per outing. With three players averaging double figures, East Carter brings a steady, reliable scoring attack.
FLEMING COUNTY LADY PANTHERS (REGION 16): Few players in Kentucky are scoring like senior Ava Watson, who enters the Classic averaging 22.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 61.1% from three-point range. She is the top scorer in the tournament and one of the most dangerous shooters in the state. Senior Mallory Price adds 10.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while eighth grader Maggie Flack contributes 10.0 points and 6.3 rebounds, giving Fleming County (4-2) a balanced supporting cast behind their star.
JOHNSON CENTRAL LADY EAGLES (REGION 15): The tournament favorite arrives with a roster that is shockingly young but undeniably talented. Johnson Central (5-2) has zero seniors and just one junior (Martina Conley) yet they entered the season as the No. 1 team in their region and No. 22 in Kentucky. Sophomore Karlea Stanley, ranked as the second-best player in region 15, leads the team with 18.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Freshman Allie Stone adds 13.0 points and 3.7 rebounds, while shooting an incredible 87% from the free-throw line. As a team, the Lady Eagles shoot 78% from the stripe, one of the best marks in the state. Despite arriving on a two-game skid, Johnson Central remains the team to beat.
LYON COUNTY LADY LYONS (REGION 2): The defending champions return for their fourth straight appearance, and first-year head coach Ricky Baker has the Lady Lyons off to a strong 6–3 start. Fresh off a solid showing at Lexington Catholic’s White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic, Lyon County brings one of the most explosive scoring trios in the field. Junior Piper Cotham averages 17.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while junior Trinity Taylor leads the team with 18.4 points and 5.4 rebounds, shooting 87% from the free-throw line. Junior Courtney Collins adds just under 17 points per game along with 5.8 rebounds. As a team, Lyon County averages 65 points per game and has topped 80 points three times.
STEPPING UP – Lady Colonels sophomore Paisley Hutchison, the team’s leading scorer, poured in 20 points with 4 rebounds against Lloyd Memorial, fueling the team’s lone win heading into the Classic.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY LADY INDIANS (REGION 10): The Lady Indians (5-2) are one of the most experienced teams in the field and enter with legitimate championship aspirations. Senior Addison Terry leads the way with 18.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, while junior Elaine Purvis, returning after a two-year absence, adds 15.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. Junior Baylee Warner contributes 13.3 points and 7.9 rebounds, and freshman Raegan Mays adds 8.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. Montgomery County is shooting nearly 40% from three, and earlier this month they pushed Johnson Central to the brink in a narrow 69-67 loss.
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–Tournament Schedule–
Saturday, December 27th
Game 1 – Boyd County vs. Montgomery County @ 1:00 pm
Game 2 – Adair County vs. Johnson Central @ 2:45 pm
Game 3 – Fleming County vs. Bourbon County @ 4:30 pm
Game 4 – East Carter vs Lyon County @ 6:15 pm
Sunday, December 28th
Game 5 – Loser game 1 vs loser game 2 @ 1:00 pm
Game 6 – Loser game 3 vs loser game 4 @ 2:45 pm
Game 7 – Winner game 1 vs winner game 2 @ 4:30 pm
Game 8 – Winner game 3 vs winner game 4 @ 6:15 pm
Monday, December 29th
Game 9 – Loser game 5 vs loser game 6 @ 1:00 pm (7th place)
Game 10 – Winner game 5 vs Winner game 6 @ 2:45 pm (5th place)
Game 11 – Loser game 7 vs loser game 8 @ 4:30 pm (3rd place)
Game 12 – Winner game 7 vs winner game 8 @ 6:15 pm (Championship game)
TOURNAMENT HOST – Sisters Alexandria (left) and Kennedy Kelly both played for the Bourbon County Lady Colonels. Alexandria, pictured at left, graduated in 2015, while Kennedy, a 1,000‑point scorer, finished her career in 2019.
–PAST CHAMPIONS–
Bourbon County/Paris Holiday Classic
2006 – Louisville Moore
2007 – Smith County, TN
2008 – Marion County
2009 – Letcher County Central
2010 – Lafayette
Bourbon County Holiday Classic
2011 – Woodford County
2012 – Lexington Catholic
2013 – St. Henry
2014 – Anderson County
2015 – Bryan Station
2016 – Covington Holy Cross
2017 – Covington Holmes
2018 – Bethlehem
2019 – Campbell County
2020 – No Tournament (Covid)
2021 – Great Crossing
Kelly Holiday Classic
2022 – Henry Clay
2023 – Christian Academy-Louisville
2024 – Lyon County
2025 – ???
