By Rocky Stanley / The Independent
OLIVE HILL — East Carter’s Colt Barnhill and Rowan County’s Natasha Kissinger led their basketball teams to 16th Region championships this season.
On Monday, the Eastern Kentucky Conference recognized the two seniors as its Players of the Year during a luncheon at Carter Caves State Resort Park.
East Carter and Rowan County carried on the EKC’s streak of advancing teams to Kentucky’s Sweet 16 tournaments.
For the seventh consecutive year, the boys’ regional winner came from the seven-member EKC. East Carter plays Warren Central in the State Tournament opener Wednesday at Rupp Arena.
Meanwhile, Rowan County has won the last three girls’ regional titles and last week reached the Sweet 16 semifinals at Western Kentucky University.
“We’re very proud of our tradition,” said EKC commissioner Gary Kidwell. “It shows what kind of players and coaches we have in the conference.’’
Barnhill, a 6-foot-7 post player, called his Player of the Year award more than an individual honor.
“It says a lot for East Carter’s program, about how much time the coaches and players put in this season,” Barnhill said. “It says a lot about the people around me. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am.”
Barnhill, who averages 20.1 points and 9.2 rebounds for the Raiders, was also named the EKC’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Kissinger’s dynamic play helped carry Rowan County back to Bowling Green, where the Lady Vikings enjoyed their best State Tournament finish in 29 years. The forward averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and entered the Sweet Sixteen with an eye-popping 118 steals while playing on the front end of Rowan County’s press.
“She’s the catalyst of everything we did on both ends of the floor,’’ said Lady Vikings coach Scott Tackett. “Tasha dictated a lot out there on defense. Offensively, we had to get her touches about every time down the floor. For my style of play, I couldn’t envision anyone following that role better.’’
Kissinger was pleased to be selected as the EKC’s top player.
“It means a lot,’’ she said. “I feel like I worked really hard for it, especially this being my senior year.’’
Rowan County’s Tackett and East Carter’s Brandon Baker received the conference’s Coach of the Year honors.
Rowan’s girls went unbeaten in league play. East Carter’s boys, headed to their first State Tournament since 1986, finished 22-1 against 16th Region opponents with the only defeat coming against EKC regular-season winner Fleming County.
“I can’t say enough about these kids,” Baker said. “They work together and continue to give great effort.”
West Carter’s Kristin Perry and Fleming County’s Kaylyn Emmons shared the girls’ offensive award, with defensive honors going to Kaitlyn Muncy of Rowan County.
On the boys’ side, Rowan County’s Darrell Cross and West Carter’s Derek Lawson received defensive awards.
The EKC also presented Lewis County senior Terrence Smith with a new Courage Award that will be given annually in his name. Smith suffered multiple injuries in an automobile accident in October and missed the entire season.
Along with the award, Smith was named an honorary All-EKC player.
All-EKC Official Joe Billman worked the championship game of the Girls State Tournament.
