56th DISTRICT GIRLS 2025 CHAMPIONSHIP

ESTILL CO 50

LEE CO 44

Estill County took an undefeated district record into this year’s 56th district tournament in Irvine, and the top seeded Lady Engineers withstood a late Lee County rally to win their first district championship since 2011 by a score of 50-44.

Estill built up a 16 point lead early in the third quarter and appeared to be in cruise control but Lee senior Preslee Cundiff and freshman Natalie Reed found success scoring inside the lane in the second half and rallied the Lady Kats to within striking distance of a victory late in the game. Cundiff was also able to get to the free throw line where she made 12 for the game. She finished with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Reed scored 13 and pulled down 14 rebounds for a double-double.

The guard combo of senior Jayci Long and junior Callie Snowden combined for 34 of Estill’s 50 points and were the main reason the Lady Engineers led at the half 30-15. Long scored in every quarter and finished with 20 points. Snowden, Estill’s talented point guard, found her way to the basket for scores or passes for assists and was very key in Estill coach Jon Mahanes’s game strategy. She finished with 14 points. 

Estill’s guard dominated team pressed for most of the game and was able to force some turnovers but Lee was still able to maneuver through the defense and make it a close score in the end. 

Both teams will advance to the 14th region tournament at Hazard, which starts Monday. The drawing for the bracket pairings will be Friday and will be streamed live by Bluegrass Sports Nation (BSN).

Estill’s Jayci Long was named the Drew and Jeremiah Smith MVP of the tournament. Callie Snowden of Estill  was named the Steve Bennett Defensive Player Award. Another Lady Engineer, freshman Kynlee Brown, was chosen the Bobby Bowling Sixth Player Award. 

The players named to the All Tournament were Jayci Long, Callie Snowden, Ava Hale and Kadara Skinner of Estill; Preslee Cundiff, Natalie Reed, and Miranda Wyrick of Lee; Macie Brown and Kenzie Grubb of Owsley; and Jessleigh Centers and Trinity Romans from Powell. 

Estill County 50

Jayci Long 20, Callie Snowden 14, Ava Hale 8, Brooklyn Ferrell 2, Kynlee Brown 2, Kadara Skinner 2, Jenna Jackson 2

Lee County 44

Preslee Cundiff 20, Natalie Reed 13, Cayden Fox 5, Miranda Wyrick 4, Emileigh Warner 2