BETSY LAYNE - Members of the Betsy Layne High School girls' basketball team, thanks to the end of an exhilarating summer season and the start of the annual Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Dead Period, now have some time to rest. In less than three weeks this month, Betsy Layne managed to play 40-plus games. The tradition-rich girls' basketball program has many young talented players that are ready to bounce back following last season's 7-18 showing.

The Ladycats recently ended play in a busy summer basketball season. The Betsy Layne girls played 43 games from June 5-22, finishing with a record of 25-13 record.

The summer season for the Ladycats began at Rowan County, where the Betsy Layne girls played 7 games in a team camp and finished 3-4. Following the stop in Rowan County, Betsy Layne moved on to the state high school AAU tournament. The Ladycats dropped all three of their pool play games and ended play in the state tourney 0-3. The Betsy Layne girls faced a tough road at the state event as one of their three losses came to reigning state champion and eventual AAU state winner Lexington Catholic.

After playing in the State AAU tournament, which was held in Lexington, Betsy Layne traveled to Georgetown College for another team camp. The Ladycats were divided into two teams - Varsity and Junior Varsity - during the Georgetown camp. At Georgetown, the Betsy Layne varsity team finished 4-7, while the Ladycat JV unit finished 12-1, winning the tournament on the last day of camp.

Betsy Layne finished summer play close to home. The Ladycats saw their final action of the summer at Pike Central's team camp. Betsy Layne fared well in the Pike Central event, finishing with a 6-3 mark.

The 2005-06 edition of the Betsy Layne Ladycats won't feature any seniors. Betsy Layne's young squad faced a variety of competition this summer - from preseason top 10 teams like Lexington Catholic, Scott County and Montgomery County to local teams such as Pike Central, East Ridge, Allen Central, Phelps and Sheldon Clark.

“We hope this summer's experience will allow us to improve on our 7-18 record from last year,” said Betsy Layne Coach Cassandra Akers. “We also completed the summer without the services of Kaitlin Lawson, who is not yet released following her ACL surgery in February. She did participate in camps though. She served as JV coach and was on the bench for the JV team's 12-1 record and tournament win at Georgetown College. We think coaching may be in her blood now that she has a taste of success.”