Sweet 16 Heartbreak and Redemption The Untold Story Lenna Dunlap
- kentuckysportsmemo
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
About the Guest(s):
Leanna Davis, formerly known as Leanna Dunlap, is a former star basketball player from Trimble County High School in Kentucky. She graduated in 1976 and was an influential figure in the early years of girls' high school basketball being reinstated as a sanctioned sport in Kentucky. An accomplished athlete, Leanna is recognized for leading her team to the Sweet 16 and was notably a Kentucky All-Star and an All-State team member. Post her high school sports career, she continued to make her mark by playing college basketball at Morehead State University. Today, she remains an active athlete, competing in pickleball tournaments.
Episode Summary:
In this engaging episode of Kentucky Sports Memories, Gary Fogle sits down with Leanna Davis (née Dunlap), a trailblazer in Kentucky girls' high school basketball. Through an engaging storytelling lens, Leanna shares the inspiring journey from her early days as the sole girl among ten grandchildren engaging in sports, to becoming a celebrated athlete representing Trimble County High School. Her story transcends mere sporting achievement, highlighting the broader cultural and societal shifts for female athletes in the 1970s.
During the episode, Fogle delves into Leanna's illustrious high school career, marked by her significant role in the team's near upset at the 1976 Sweet 16 against the eventual champions, Louisville Sacred Heart. Through vivid recollections, Leanna reminisces about the challenges and triumphs she faced on the court and reflects on her influence as a pioneering figure in women's basketball. The show also touches upon her post-high school life, both the camaraderie and changes that came with playing college basketball, and her continued passion for sports as seen in her current love for pickleball.
Key Takeaways:
Leanna Davis, originally Leanna Dunlap, was a key player in the reestablishment of high school girls' basketball in Kentucky, leading her team to the Sweet 16 in 1976.
Despite a narrow one-point loss to Louisville Sacred Heart, Leanna's high school performance earned her a place on the Kentucky All-Star team and the All-State team.
Leanna's early interactions with sports were heavily influenced by her upbringing in a predominantly male environment, shaping her love and aptitude for competitive sports.
Her reflection on college basketball reveals it as a more demanding and vocational pursuit compared to the high school experience, yet equally formative.
Even today, Leanna maintains her athletic prowess through participation in competitive pickleball, illustrating her lifelong dedication to sports.
Notable Quotes:
"I was a tomboy with nothing but boys around me, and so, you know, you had to grow up tough and do the things that the boys did."
"I think more than anything I like to say about, you know, all the girls that played, we were pioneers."
"My best birthdays was when I was 7 years old and… I got two baseball gloves on the same birthday and I was like, whoa."
"High school camaraderie… it's a totally different atmosphere [compared to college sports]."
"They know I'm athletic, though, because I play pickleball and I've played in tournaments."
Resources:
Listeners are encouraged to dive into the full episode to hear more of Leanna Davis's captivating stories and insights into the evolution of women's basketball in Kentucky, and to stay tuned for more compelling narratives from "Kentucky Sports Memories."