3rd Region Hoops- As the KHSAA Dead period quickly approaches us, teams are in the gym playing summer ball & enjoying their summers, we decided to have a little fun & rank the 3rd Region’s coaches. We decided to just do the top 5 and list a couple who “Just Missed” the top 5. As with most of the write ups you’ll get from 3rd Region Hoops, this is simply an opinion. There are several high quality coaches who won’t be on this list. With that being said, don’t take it personally. Here’s one thing we find similar on both sides of the region when it comes to coaches; There are certain names that you HAVE TO put in the top 5 and then the rest is a toss up. Let’s rank the Top 5 Best Coaches in Girls Basketball.

• #1 Mike Harper (Muhlenberg County) — This one was easy. With 9 regional titles, nearly 500 career wins & 2 State Final Four Appearances, Coach Harper has solidified himself as the Leader of the pack when it comes to Girls Basketball coaches in the region. Between KABC & M-I, Harper has won at least 6 3rd Region Coach of The Year Awards & one could assume he’s a future inductee into the KHSAA Hall of Fame. A LEGEND!
• #2 Michael Robertson (Owensboro Catholic) – Michael Robertson has been leading the Lady Aces for 11 seasons. In those 11 seasons he’s won 6 regional Championships & 9 9th District Championships. O’Cath has been, without question, THE STANDARD for Girls Basketball in the region. Robertson is Owensboro Catholic’s ALL TIME WINNINGEST COACH in school history. The Lady Aces’ boss is on pace to catch Mike Harper when it comes to regional titles & there are signs of that machine on Parrish Avenue slowing down, ANYTIME SOON. This too, was an easy pick!
• #3 Dina Hackert (Meade County) — Dina Hackert has adapted to the time difference, and embraces the chore of traveling across the world year in and year out VS 3rd Region Opponents. Hackert, like Natalie Payne, has won 1 3rd Region Championship & 1 Region Coach of The Year Award. She has 130+ wins in Brandenburg & has led the charge as The Lady Wave have been a consistent top 2/3 team throughout Hackert’s tenure. Dina is a proven winner and let me give y’all a little warning…, After getting bounced in the regional tournament by eventual champion Owensboro Catholic the girls from Meade County, according to Hackert “are as motivated as any team I’ve coached.” They aren’t going ANYWHERE!!
• #4 Natalie Payne (Daviess County) – There is a legitimate argument to have Payne ranked higher, but we decided to put her in the 4th spot behind Coach Hackert. Here’s why – the level of consistency hasn’t been on the same playing field as of late. With that being said, Natalie is regarded as one of the most well respected coaches in western Kentucky. She has built winning programs at each spot she’s been. With 1 regional championship and 1 Coach of The Year Award under her belt, a Natalie Payne coached ball club can NEVER be counted out or overlooked. Recently accepting the HC position for a 2nd time at Daviess County, look for the Panthers to get back to contender status and playing in the regional tournament., something that hasn’t been done since her last season as the Lady Panther Boss in 2015-16. With the Addition of offensive spark plug Kennedy Lane to go along with Zoey Beehn & Lily Hoagland, this will happen sooner, rather than later.
• #5 Chad Moorman (Breckinridge County) — 3rd Region Hoops 5th Ranked Girls coach goes to Chad Moorman. Some will argue he deserves to be higher, & rightfully so. With that being said, Chad Moorman is really, really good. Just finishing up his 6th Season at the helm, Moorman has won 130+ games, 3 district championships & has won 3rd Region Coach of The Year multiple times. The only blemish on his resume & ultimately the reason he’s at 5 instead of higher is simply because has yet to lead the Lady Tigers to a regional championship. One has to assume that will happen soon. This season will be considered one of his stronger clubs with EVERYONE returning from last seasons 25 win squad, headlined by rising Senior to be Caroline Lucas. Moorman has knocked on the door, having never NOT made the Regional Final 4 and finishing Runner Up once. death, taxes and Chad Moorman advancing in the regional tournament… BANK ON IT!
• Honorable Mention— Kevin Husk (Hancock County) Jansen Locher (OHS)