The Carrollton girls basketball team is returning to the district championship for the second consecutive season, this time under first-year head coach Mikayla Poole.
Poole, a 2018 Carrollton High School graduate, was a sophomore when the Warriors, led by her older sister Ali (Poole) Leary, won their first-ever district championship and advanced to regionals. Carrollton won its second district title last season and now has another opportunity to move forward after a dominant win over Minerva on Wednesday night at Malvern High School.
Carrollton started the district semifinal with a commanding 15-0 run, leading 15-4 after the first quarter and 28-7 at halftime. The Warriors never looked back, securing a convincing 45-19 win over Minerva—marking their third victory over the Lions this season.
Kylie Ujcich led Carrollton with a game-high 14 points, five steals, and seven rebounds. Brae Roudebush followed with nine points, while Emma Shafer added seven, going a perfect 5-for-5 at the free-throw line. Kamryn Shaw contributed six points, KJ Roudebush scored five, and Haley Leslie chipped in four.
Despite not having any seniors on the roster, Carrollton is fueled by a strong junior class (Emma Shafer, Kylie Ujcich, Haley Leslie, Kamryn Shaw, Brae Roudebush and Ivy Bishop) that has stepped up throughout the season. Poole credited the team’s progress to its commitment to defensive discipline, a key area of improvement since the start of the season.
“Our first loss was because we didn’t stick to our defensive game plan,” Poole said. “Since then, we’ve stayed disciplined and have seen major improvements. Defense is our focus, and when we execute, it makes a huge difference.”
As a former Carrollton player who helped pave the way for the program’s success, Poole reflected on the significance of leading her alma mater to another district title opportunity.
“It’s all about taking it step by step,” Poole said. “We’re not looking too far ahead—we just focus on the next game. It’s special to be in this position, and I hope the younger girls watching us are inspired.”
Poole also highlighted the leadership within the junior class, with many players having played together for nearly a decade.
“These girls have been together for so long, and it shows in how they communicate and work together,” she said. “Their experience is huge for us, even without seniors on the team.”
The energy inside Malvern High School on Wednesday night added to the experience, with a packed house fueling the Warriors’ dominant performance.
“The atmosphere was incredible,” Poole said. “It’s not something you always get in regular EBC games, but to have this level of support—it was great for our girls to experience.”
Carrollton will face Morgan in the district championship game on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. at Cambridge High School. Morgan advanced after defeating Maysville 48-24 in its semifinal matchup.
