Seygan Robins has earned it all during her career at Mercer County.

She’s Miss Basketball. She won two state championships, and two Sweet 16 Most Valuable Player awards on the way.

She’s the Advocate-Messenger All-Area Player of the Year.

“I am not sure where our program would be without Seygan,” Mercer head coach Chris Souder said. “I hate to even think about it. Seygan has just put in the work that is necessary for all great players. Seygan has wanted to be great as long as I can remember and she has just always had that special “it” that you can’t teach.
“We always say that hard work trumps talent but if the two ever collide you have something special.  Seygan hit that mark several years ago as did our team-hence back to back championships. I will always describe her as a servant leader — she thrives to make sure all her teammates are invested and involved.  She knew sacrificing stats would be best for her team-hence once again back to back championships. She is just a special player and young lady that have been blessed to be her coach but more importantly to me is her uncle.”

Robins will attend the University of Louisville next season and play for one of the premier programs in the nation. She’ll be talked about in the Harrodsburg and Central Kentucky area for years, Souder said.

“Seygan has no idea what kind of role model she has become not only in this community but around the state,” he said. “The way she plays the game speaks for itself. She never takes a play off and gives 100 percent, regardless of the outcome. She gives young people hope that great things can happen by working hard and always doing what is right and being all-in in whatever you have set your mind on.”

Robins is joined on the All-Area First Team by her teammate, Emmy Souder, and a pair of Patriots: Emma King and Kaitlynn Wilks, of Lincoln County. Danville’s Ivy Turner rounds out the five highest vote-getters on the All-Area team.

Mercer County dominates the second team as well: Starters Emma Davis, Lexy Lake and Faith Lake all made the team. Casey County’s sensational sophomore Gena Cravens also makes the list, while Boyle County seniors Danielle Roney and Gracie Edmiston round out the second team. There was a tie in votes, placing six players on the All-Area Second Team.

Coach Souder said the depth in the area and 12th Region was remarkable this season, proven in the All-Area team.

“This team will have to be remembered as not only one of the greatest 12th regions teams ever but one of the greatest teams of all time in KHSAA history,” he said. “12th Region girls basketball has been way underrated — just think, since 2011-the 12th Region has won 3 state championships. I think  it is time we get the recognition we deserve (in the 12th Region). People also didn’t realize that during this years 12th regional tournament Final Four, all four teams were ranked in the top 20. I would like to see if any other regions had that.

“Winning this years 12th region is what I called gut-wrenching and we knew it would be. Pressure was mounting on our players and they felt it somewhat. The semi-final game at Lincoln was a true road game for us and then coming into the championship — Casey County was really playing their best basketball of the season — so winning four regions in a row in this region is pretty special.”

Trios highlight the Honorable Mention list: Garrard County placed Olivia Saylor, Ashlynn Clark and Madisyn Neeley on the list.

Lincoln County’s Maddy Boyle, Zaria Napier and Trinity Shearer all received votes.

Casey County also had a trio after Cravens receive votes: Lauren Lee, Jordyn Stephens and Mackenzie Cundiff. Mercer adds another in Toni McCombs, a newcomer this year and one of the keys to the Titans’ repeat chances next season.

Boyle sharpshooter McKayla Baker also received votes.