Kentucky women's basketball takes center stage at Big Blue Madness with a new 3-pt queen

Big Blue Madness erupted in Rupp Arena on Saturday night, and it was the women’s basketball team that set the tone, bringing a fiery, competitive energy that had the crowd buzzing from the opening minute.

From a DJ-ing head coach to a three-point shootout that came down to the wire, the women’s team proved they are ready for the spotlight.

Kenny Brooks promises more

Head coach Kenny Brooks kicked off the festivities with a memorable entrance, playing the part of a DJ before grabbing the microphone. He delivered a passionate message to Big Blue Nation, declaring that Kentucky has the best fans in the world and that they are the reason anything is possible.

Last year was great Brooks told the roaring crowd, but he said he promises everyone in BBN, this year is going to be even better.

The white team takes over

The on-court action was defined by one color: white. The team split into two squads for a series of competitions, and the White Team dominated from start to finish.

After a fun skills competition that saw players dribbling through Coke bottle cutouts and passing into tires, the teams faced off in a scrimmage. It was the White Team, behind a strong finish from Teonnie Key, that took the victory. They followed it up by winning a giant game of on-court tic-tac-toe, much to the delight of the fans.

Hassett’s three-point masterclass

The main event of the women’s portion was the 3-point contest, and it did not disappoint. After Clara Strack and Kaelyn Carrol were eliminated in the first round, the stage was set for a final showdown between Amelia Hassett and Asia Boone.

Boone put up a respectable 15 points in the final, but it was no match for Hassett, who caught fire at the perfect moment. She was simply unconscious from behind the arc, lighting up the Rupp Arena nets and racking up an incredible 25 points to cruise to the title and be crowned the new three-point champion.

As the women’s team celebrated a fun and competitive start to the night, the anticipation in the arena only grew. The men’s team was up next, and the women had set a very high bar.

Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion