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Her love of the sport led her to score 2,494 points at Russell. She played in the state tournament twice and was named an All-State player four years in a row. It provided her an opportunity to sign with the University of Louisville after graduating in 1979.

And on June 25, CarrollÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s love of basketball earned her one more recognition: a spot in the Kentucky high school basketball Hall of Fame class of 2024.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhen I first got the call, I just thought, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥˜Oh my,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Carroll said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s just such an honor. What theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve done for me with this induction was amazing.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

CarrollÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s love was fostered early after growing up in a neighborhood full of boys who loved playing basketball.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s all we did,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Carroll said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d go out every morning and play basketball. And then in seventh grade, my PE teacher, Liz Trabandt, had intermural basketball, and I played that.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Carroll said Trabandt then asked her to join the high school team as an eighth-grader in 1975.

That was a significant year for basketball in the state of Kentucky, which was discontinued at both the girls high school and womenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s collegiate levels in the state in 1932.

It took 42 years before the sport would open back up to women, thanks to Senator Nicholas BakerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œBasketball BillÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� which was passed in 1974 that said if a school had a boys basketball team, it must offer a girls team.

Baker, whose mother was on HazardÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s 1930 girls state championship team, was initially met with pushback, but he continued working for the bill until it was passed and the KHSAA officially recognized girls basketball for the 1974-75 season.

But having a team to join didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t mean Carroll would be able to play. She needed help from her aunt.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMy dad said absolutely not,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Carroll said about joining RussellÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s team. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œBut my aunt, his sister, said sheÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d take me to practice and all that, because her daughter was on the team, so thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s really how I got started.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Carroll came in and earned a spot on the court as an eighth-grader. She credits Trabandt for helping her play at such a high level early in her career.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œShe was awesome,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Carroll said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œShe did so many things for us trying to move us forward. She was wonderful, and her assistant Mary Robinson was as well. They supported us in every way they could. And we just had a great team there.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Carroll credits TrabandtÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s work off the court for RussellÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s success as well. The coach fought to make sure the girls team was afforded the same opportunities as the boys, having to build a program that did not exist beforehand.

Russell was the first modern 16th Region girls champion in 1975, defeating Ashland 48-40 to punch a ticket to State.

Russell lost to Newport 58-52, but the experience helped strengthen Carroll and the rest of her team.

In CarrollÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s freshman year, the Red Devils repeated as 16th Region champs, defeating Boyd County 61-55 to go back to State. Carroll made the Sweet Sixteen All-Tournament team.

In the second go-around, Russell put on an impressive show, making it to the semifinals before falling to Sacred Heart 72-64.

Carroll continued to play top-notch ball during her time at Russell and held the scoring record when she left.

What was probably unexpected was that the record stood for 44 years afterward.

The record was finally bested by Shaelyn Steele on Dec. 14. The future Penn State guard closed her Red Devils career with a total of 3,181 points.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m so proud of her for breaking that record,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Carroll said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAnd sheÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s moving forward now with the game.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Current Russell coach Mandy Layne, who helped guide SteeleÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s career, said CarrollÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s achievements resonate with the players today.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œShe helped grow the game and motivate future players to follow her success,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Layne said of Carroll. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œShe also increased interest in girls basketball and showed everyone how exciting girls basketball can be for future generations.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

CarrollÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s impact on younger players was immediate. Anna Chaffin, a former Red Devil player and coach, said Carroll inspired her at a young age.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œRegina was someone I looked up to as a young player, and I wanted to play for the Lady Devils and play like she did,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Chaffin said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe first time I heard the name Regina Carroll, I was a third-grader at Bellefonte Elementary School. Regina and her teammates, along with coach Liz Trabandt and assistant Mary Robinson, spent time after school for one week helping us girls develop our basketball skills. That week changed the trajectory of my life.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Carroll showed her support to the community in part because of the support the community showed her and her teammates.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe had their support like you wouldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t believe,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Carroll said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe often had more fans at our games than the boys playing. The crowds that came out were awesome, theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d travel with us, even to State. And the cheerleaders, the band, all of that, it was just surreal.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Chaffin was always eager to take in a game and even collected news clippings of CarrollÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s games.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMy bedroom walls were covered with newspaper box scores and pictures of Regina and the Lady Devils,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Chaffin said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI can remember the excitement of listening to her play in the Sweet Sixteen.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Chaffin went on play on TrabandtÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s final team, creating a link between Chaffin and the player she so admired.

Carroll went on to Louisville, which was an opportunity that wouldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t have been possible just five years prior. But, with the passage of the Baker Bill, Carroll was able to turn her abilities on the hardwood into a chance to better herself with a scholarship.

SheÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s happy to see womenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s sports continue to grow across the nation and be featured in a bigger and brighter spotlight.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s great what weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re seeing with womenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s sports,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Carroll said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œLook at Caitlin Clark and everything sheÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s done, being on TV and showing what a pro can do. It shows that girls today need to just strive and do the best they can.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Layne and Chaffin said CarrollÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Hall of Fame induction is a perfect way to acknowledge someone so pivotal to the Red Devils program.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œShe paved the way for future players to continue the success and tradition of Lady Devil basketball,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Layne said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œShe helped establish a work ethic for all future Red Devil players.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œOne could not separate Lady Devil basketball from the name Regina Carroll,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Chaffin said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œShe brought attention to the sport during the initial years of Title IX. Her impact on the game was immeasurable. She validated the importance of that federal legislation. Girls could play too.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d like to think all those who followed in her footsteps realized the impact she had on girls basketball,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Chaffin added. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAs both a player and a coach, I was the beneficiary of her impact on the game of basketball. I am forever grateful.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�