Junior forward led Sacred Heart to fourth straight state title.
Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in prep girls basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2023-24 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
ZaKiyah Johnson of
Sacred Heart (Louisville) is the 2023-24 Kentucky MaxPreps Player of the Year for the third straight season. The 6-foot-1 junior forward led the Valkyries to a 31-7 record and fourth straight state title, becoming the first team – boys or girls – to four-peat.
For the season, Johnson averaged 18.9 points, 7.3
rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game. In a 60-49 victory over McCracken County (Paducah) in the championship game, she posted 21 points and six rebounds.
ZaKiyah Johnson of Sacred Heart is the 2023-24 Kentucky MaxPreps Player of the Year for the third straight season. (Photo: Darin Sicurello)
Sacred Heart is 103-13 over the past three seasons with Johnson leading the way.
Johnson narrowed her recruitment to 12 schools in November – Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee, UCLA and USC.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which is scheduled to be released April 11. Past selections include 2023 WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart (2012) as well as 2023 All-WNBA first team picks Napheesa Collier (2015), Alyssa Thomas (2010) and A'ja Wilson (2014).
Past Kentucky MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heat (Louisville)
2022-23 — ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heat (Louisville)
