BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
HAZARD — Former Martin County basketball standout Carla Booth is bringing her semi-professional team back to eastern Kentucky this weekend. The OnPoint Swish is hoping for a record-breaking turnout this Saturday inside Hazard Memorial Gym at 3:30 p.m.
Booth’s team will face the Carolina Lady Cougars in a high-stakes Women’s American Basketball Association (WABA) matchup.
In their inaugural season, OnPoint Swish made a Final Four appearance in the WABA National Tournament after competing among 19 teams nationwide.
Two of Kentucky’s most respected basketball names, head coach Scott Chalk and assistant coach JR Vanhoose, lead the program, bringing decades of experience and a deep understanding of Kentucky hoops culture.
Martin County fans would also see two familiar faces. Inez’s own Kayla Moore Vanhoose is now the director of operations for the Swish, with Martin County Lady Cardinal assistant coach Jason Wefenstette in the role of general manager.
After drawing a crowd of 300 fans at a recent game in Virginia, the team is looking to top that number in Hazard and set a new attendance record for the league.
Booth said the team has pushed through recent injuries, including those of former Kentucky Wildcats and WNBA player Makayla Epps, but is now beginning to find its rhythm at the right time.
“We’ve had some injuries we’re battling through with Epps and a couple others, but we’re all starting to come together,” Booth said. “Our last game against Kalamazoo was a total team effort, defensively and offensively. The energy on this team is even better than last year’s.”
OnPoint Swish recently added Talquiea Hamilton, a 6-foot-1 forward who played at Marshall University and now coaches at Huntington St. Joe High School.
“She’s really going to help us,” said Booth. “She gives us an actual center, and that’s something we’ve been missing.”
The squad also features former Magoffin County star Kennedi Nysha Stacy, a Transylvania defensive player of the year and 2023 National Champion.
To encourage community support, students 18 and under will get in free if the team raises $400 in donations before game day. The team has launched a campaign calling on local businesses, families and basketball fans to chip in.
The Swish also maintains an active online presence where fans can follow the team’s journey on Instagram or visit womensaba.com for updates and ticket information.