(by Donnie Meador)
The 2025-26 season for the Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriot basketball team tips this week. With the toss of the basketball Monday night, December 1, the 52nd season of Lady Patriot starts with high hopes for a talent-rich squad poised to restore the famed “tradition of excellence” program.
No doubt, this season’s preview must start with the return of Garry DeWitt as head coach---a third chapter in a storied career of a man who was introduced to AC-S over 40 years ago. DeWitt---an Austin Indiana native--was a college student at Western Kentucky University. To earn some extra cash, DeWitt had the opportunity to work concessions at the 1985 Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s girls state tournament. In those days, WKU’s E.A. Diddle Arena hosted the annual event.
In an interview with The Citizen-Times in 1999, DeWitt recalled taking a look inside the arena while on a break from serving hotdogs and popcorn. On a Thursday afternoon, his eyes caught a glimpse of a “sea of red” across one side of the gym. DeWitt would soon learn that the red-clad supporters were there to watch their Lady Patriots play in the program’s fourth Sweet 16 in a 10-year span. Louisville Atherton got the win over AC-S that afternoon but the sight of a fan base that would travel anywhere, any place to support their team was etched in the mind of the aspiring teacher and coach.
Little did DeWitt know on that March afternoon in 1985 that 14 years later, DeWitt would bring an Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriot team back to a state tournament. Despite solid years under coach David Young and coach Courtni Crews, AC-S just could not get over the hump. Years of heartbreak became the normal for AC-S. Last second setbacks the Region 4 tournament in 1986 and 1990 as well as tough out regional games in 1987, 1990, and 1992 left AC-S fans hungry for a trip back. Crews’ teams in 1994, 1995, and 1996 were rebuilding years with DeWitt now along for the ride as an assistant, hoping his chance would come.
Taking over for Crews in the summer of 1996, DeWitt changed the mindset of the Lady Patriots. Stressing strong defense, getting the most from a group of up-and-coming players, and a “we don’t walk anywhere” mentality turned around the Lady Patriots. Heartbreak came in 1998---a loss in the first game of the District---before the 98-99 year was the breakthrough season. That March on the court at Barren County, the drought ended as AC-S stunned Warren East in the title game---leading assistant coach Billy Jo Miller to high-step across the court in jubilant celebration.
Despite losing three solid players to graduation in 1999---Andi Johnson, Brandy Meador, and Rachel Brown---the 2000 team returned to the state tournament. Record wise, it was not a good year. AC-S entered District 15 play with a dismal 12-16 record. Yet, the 16 losses were all learning moments for a team that started, by season’s end, three sophomores---Ashley York, Beth Pearson, and Cammie Campbell---one senior Kristie Ballard---and a junior in Stacy Felchner.
It wasn’t easy to repeat. In truth, the team left many with heart problems as a result of their never-say-die mindset. Already labeled as “The Cardia Kids” or “The Comeback Kids” for their late game heroics, the Lady Patriots won the regional tournament in dynamic fashion. What is unique---in each regional game, AC-S was the underdog. The final two---a 63-59 win over Warren Central in the semifinals and a 63-61 victory against Barren County in the championship---came in overtime. Still, at the end of the day, AC-S claimed back-to-back titles. Their season ended with a loss to Hart County in the first round of the state tournament in Richmond.
New faces stepped into key roles for AC-S the following year. Once again, DeWitt was asked to bring the pieces together and once again, the Lady Patriots responded. This team won 13 of their first 14 games---the only loss coming in the finals of the Lady Invitational of the South. After suffering through a tough mid-season stretch in which the team dropped four games in a five-game span, the Lady Patriots closed the regular season strong, won the District 15 championship, and downed Monroe County (51-48), Todd Central (69-54) and Greenwood (32-20) to cap the three-peat. Ironically, Greenwood was coached by Greg Dunn---the AC-S coach for the past seven years.
DeWitt guided the Lady Patriot program to another milestone by the end of the 2001 state tournament. AC-S defeated Johnson Central (61-43) in the first round of the state at WKU to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in 22 years and just the second time in school history. Louisville Manuel ended the AC-S season in the quarterfinals. That would be AC-S deepest state tournament advancement until 2015 when the Lady Patriots lost a 35-32 heartbreaker in the championship game.
After the 2001 season, DeWitt walked from the sidelines to an administration desk---a decision necessitated by the District policy at the time prohibiting administrators from coaching. However, the policy was changed in the coming years thus allowing DeWitt a second opportunity as coach from 2005 until 2007. His second stint was not as successful as the first but his Lady Patriot teams were trending upward by 2007. Health concerns and administration duties carried DeWitt into coaching retirement yet a frequent spectator in the bleachers in the coming decade.
DeWitt retired from education in 2018 but with an itch to coach again. Timing prevented an opportunity to step in for Lady Patriot coach Brad Bonds who transitioned to the Patriots. Honoring his pre-Bonds transition decision commitment to Monroe County, DeWitt spent a season coaching the Falcon boys. He would then return to AC-S as an assistant with the girls for the past six seasons.
While DeWitt’s return to the sideline is an intriguing sidebar, it’s not the focus point of the story. This year’s Lady Patriots are rich in talent and ability---arguably the best in the past decade. Since taking charge over the summer, DeWitt is quick to note that he has liked what he’s seen in summer ball and preseason conditioning and practice.
“Our team is looking very good at this point in the season,” DeWitt said. “We are playing together as a team and our communication on the floor has been tremendous in our scrimmages. The girls are doing everything we ask them to do and giving their best effort every day in practice.”
A key factor for the Lady Patriots for the 25-26 season will be the leadership that six seniors----Kennedy Carter, Allison Ford, Addy Law, Kyra Marr, Payton Marr, and Debora Patrick---are expected to provide.
Ford has the most court time, having appeared in 78 games and made 26 starts as a Lady Patriot. Patrick has played in 72 games and has 27 starts. Law has started four times in her 47 games on the court. Carter has seen action in 30 games, Kyra Marr has 41 games under her belt, with twin sister Payton having played in 29 games.
Among the seniors, Patrick enjoyed a breakout season last year. The 5’10 post averaged 8.4 points and 9.4 rebounds. On the glass, Patrick led or shared in rebounding in 16 of her team's 29 games, including a career-high 17 against Glasgow. Her 9.4 points per game average was 49th statewide in the final 2025 stats.
“Debbie is a great rebounder and free throw shooter,” DeWitt noted. “She is working hard every day on finishing around the basket and being a really good post defender.”
Ford and Law bring consistent play and solid defense into the mix.
“Allison is a great defender on the point of our 1-3-1, our 1-2-2, and our 3-2,” DeWitt explained. “We are looking for Allison to be a scoring threat and rebounder. She works really hard. Addy will be a defensive leader for us as well. She will also be a ballhandler for us. She has worked on her shot and has become a threat to score. Addy gives everything she has on every play.”
The remaining seniors will look to fill key and much-needed roles---roles that will be vital for the Lady Patriots’ success.
“Kennedy (Carter) is a tremendous shooter from behind the arc.” DeWitt stressed. “She can get hot and hit four or five in a row. She is working hard on being a better defender and ball handler. Kyra (Marr) has shown great improvement over the off season. She is a scorer will be looked to as a competitive rebounder. Payton (Marr) has shown much improvement as well. She will be called upon to be a scorer and rebounder. She needs to become a good defender on the floor.”
The key player to watch for the Lady Patriots is not a stranger or a newcomer. Junior Avery Morris is the veteran for the Lady Patriots---having already appeared in 108 games and started all but four since working her way onto the court as a seventh grader. Morris led the team in scoring last year, averaging 23.5 points---a stat that saw her finish ninth in the Commonwealth in scoring. Morris scored 20 or more points 18 times and went for 30 or more four times. Against Glasgow, Morris finished with 42 points---three points short of Morgan Rich’s record 45 points. The junior starts this year fourth on the all-time AC-S points list (1,759) and, barring unforeseen circumstances, has the potential to top the scoring list (Rich-) by season’s end. Morris---a Miss Basketball candidate for the Class of 2027 earned All District and All Region honors for a second conductive season last spring.
“Avery (Morris) has been a tremendous varsity player for us since her seventh-grade season,” DeWitt stated. “She leads by example and gives her very best every day. Avery is a tremendous ball handler and can really shoot. We are calling on her to be a leader on the floor.”
A junior---Kensley Byrn---and an eighth grader---Leighton Boler---are looking to make an impact on the court. Byrn.
“KB (Kensley Byrn) has worked really hard to become an offensive threat this season,” DeWitt said. “She has always been a good defender and rebounder because of her work ethic. Leighton (Boler) is a very good basketball player who works extremely hard to get better every day. She has a motor that doesn't quit. We will look to her to be a very good rebounder and scorer.”
DeWitt adds that his teams is blessed to have five areas of strengths---three starters, an outstanding point guard, post play, the ability to run the floor, and free throw shooting.
“We do have the three returning starters in Avery, Allison, and Debora," DeWitt explained. “Avery is one of the best point guards in the state. She is a tremendous scorer with a work ethic second to none. Post play is a strength with Debora, Kyra, Payton, and Leighton. We can run the floor and we can make free throws. We have several kids on the team that are tremendous from the line.”
Last season, Morris finished the season making 174 of 209 free throws (83.3%)---a stat that ranked her 15th in the state in FT%. In addition, Patrick went 51-69 from the stripe for a 73.9% mark. Law, Ford, Kyra Marr, and Payton Marr were also above the 60% free throw shooting line. In addition to shooting free throws, Morris (34.8%) and Law (31.4%) also exhibited their three-point shooting skills. Kyra Marr was also above the 50% point in field goals.
The road to the Region 4 tournament will not be easy. District rival Barren County enters the season as the region’s highest rated team according to The Courier-Journal’s preseason coaches’ poll. Glasgow and Warren East are also threats.
“Our District is always very competitive," DeWitt acknowledged. “Barren County is the proven team in the District. Glasgow has a lot of experience returning. Warren East lost five seniors off of last year’s team but Coach (Jenny) Neville will have them ready.”
Looking at the Region as a whole, Bowling Green, Franklin-Simpson, Metcalfe County, and Cumberland County will be tough tests. With the exception of Franklin-Simpson, each team is on the AC-S schedule.
“Region 4 is always strong and tough to win,” DeWitt noted. “This year will be no different. Barren County is good and Cumberland County has everyone back from a very successful 2024-25 season. Bowling Green is always in the mix. Metcalfe County brings almost everyone back. After those four, there are several teams that will be a tough out. Russell County, Logan County, Monroe County, Franklin-Simpson, Glasgow and us are in the mix.”
Joining DeWitt on the bench will be several familiar faces. Of note, the staff includes a mixture of DeWitt’s first, second, and now, third stint with the program.
“I’m extremely excited about our coaching staff,” DeWitt acknowledged. “Coach Billy Joe Miller brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. He has been in the trenches many years with the Lady Patriots. He will focus mostly on our offenses. Coach Chris Roy also has many years of experience coaching young players and developing their skill set. He will help with out of bounds plays on varsity and coach our JV team. Coach Lindsey Boler will help with JV and freshman and work with the varsity.”
Miller has sat in the chair beside DeWitt since the 1990s. Roy has worked alongside DeWitt for the past two seasons. Boler played for coach DeWitt 20 years ago during round two of his coaching cycle.
In addition to the mainly varsity players, eight players will seek to sharpen their skills in JV and freshmen games. The list includes junior guard Peyton Anderson, sophomore guard A.J. Wanta, sophomore guard McKenna Law, sophomore guard Kyndell Clark, freshman guard Bailey Gaines, freshman guard Lily Vick, and freshman guard Melody Roberts.
DeWitt starts his 10th season as a coach (ninth with AC-S) with an overall record of 138-116 record. With the Lady Patriots, DeWitt’s worksheet is 127-101. In his first five years, DeWitt posted a 93-54 record. Additional notes, DeWitt is 8-0 in season-opening games at AC-S and is a perfect 9-0 in Region 4 tournament games.
AC-S starts the season with an overall record of 895 wins and 546 losses. The win total is among the best in the state since girls basketball resumed as a KHSAA sport in 1974. The Lady Patriots are seeking a ninth Region 4 title and the program’s 19th District 15 title but the first since 2015.