The Kentucky basketball community gathered to honor the best high school athletes at the annual awards ceremony.
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Sponsor Our ArticlesThis week, Kentucky celebrated its top high school basketball athletes during the annual Mr. and Miss Kentucky Basketball awards ceremony in Lexington. ZaKiyah Johnson of Sacred Heart Academy, crowned Miss Kentucky Basketball 2025, led her team to a fifth consecutive state championship. Malachi Moreno of Great Crossing High School was named Mr. Kentucky Basketball 2025. Both athletes showcased remarkable talent throughout the season, earning recognition as McDonald’s All-Americans. The event highlighted their achievements and set the stage for their futures in college basketball.
This week in Lexington, a fantastic celebration took place, honoring the best high school basketball players in Kentucky. The annual Mr. and Miss Kentucky Basketball awards ceremony shone a spotlight on two incredible athletes: ZaKiyah Johnson from Sacred Heart Academy and Malachi Moreno from Great Crossing High School. The Hilton Marriott Griffin Gate Resort served as the venue for this prestigious event, which was presented by the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation and the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches.
ZaKiyah Johnson, a senior at Sacred Heart Academy, has been a dominating force on the court this season, and her hard work has certainly paid off. Not only did she lead her team to victory, securing their fifth consecutive KHSAA Girls’ Basketball Championship, but she also earned the esteemed title of Miss Kentucky Basketball 2025.
Her impressive stats tell the story: Johnson averaged an incredible 21.2 points and 7.3 rebounds during her senior year. Her talent has not gone unnoticed; she has been named a McDonald’s All-American and is ranked as the overall No. 12 recruit and No. 4 small forward in her class by 247Sports. To top it off, Johnson holds the record as a four-time Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year and a four-time Girls’ Sweet 16 most valuable player.
With 3,870 career points, she ranks sixth on the KHSAA’s all-time girls scoring list, solidifying her legacy in Kentucky basketball. Johnson is committed to playing for Louisiana State University (LSU), and fans cannot wait to see her talent shine on an even bigger stage.
On the boys’ side, Malachi Moreno took home the title of Mr. Kentucky Basketball 2025. This 6-foot-10 center from Great Crossing High School has been making waves throughout his senior season. His outstanding performance helped his team secure back-to-back 11th Region championships, making him a key player to watch for the future.
Moreno’s statistics are equally impressive, with an average of 21.5 points and 14.8 rebounds during his senior year. As a commendable achievement, he has been recognized as a McDonald’s All-American as well. According to 247Sports, Moreno is the No. 28 overall recruit and No. 3 center in his class, continuing a tradition of excellent basketball talent in Kentucky.
In another exciting milestone, Moreno has become the third consecutive recipient of Mr. Basketball to be committed to playing for the University of Kentucky (UK). With a career total of 2,392 points and 1,896 rebounds under his belt, he is well on his way to making a mark in college basketball.
Both Johnson and Moreno received the coveted No. 1 jersey for their teams as part of the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Series, marking their well-deserved recognition on a grand stage. Winning these prestigious awards is a significant honor in high school basketball in Kentucky, and it puts a spotlight on the talents of young athletes across the state.
The evening was filled with excitement as family, friends, coaches, and fans gathered to honor these remarkable young athletes. With their eye-catching talents, both ZaKiyah Johnson and Malachi Moreno surely have bright futures ahead in basketball, representing Kentucky with pride.
As they transition to the next phase of their basketball careers, all eyes will be on them, eager to see how they continue to push the boundaries of their sport. Here’s to a bright future for these two talented players!
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