The Scribe
11-27-2006, 03:20 AM
11th Region
By Ron Harrison
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
The 11th Region should be strong again this season with several challengers having aspirations of dethroning defending champion Madison Central.
There was a large coaching turnover this season with Frankfort, Henry Clay, Woodford County, Lexington Christian Academy, and Berea entering the season under new leadership.
The region consists of 17 teams divided into four districts (41st, 42nd, 43rd, and 44th). The 41st District consists of Frankfort, Franklin County, Western Hills, and Woodford County. The 42nd District consists of Bryan Station, Henry Clay, Sayre, and Scott County. The 43rd District consists of Lafayette, Lexington Catholic, Lexington Christian Academy, Paul L. Dunbar, and Tates Creek. The 44th District consists of Berea, Madison Central, Madison Southern, and Model.
The information included in this preview comes from coaches as well as personal observations from last season and over the summer.
1. Scott County (26-5): Coach Billy Hicks’ Cardinals will be among the favorites to capture the 11th Region title this season. The Cardinals suffered an early setback when 6-3 Sr. Rodney Haddix who averaged 16.5 ppg last season was ruled ineligible for his senior season by the KHSAA.
6-3 Sr. Matt Walls averaged 15.2 ppg and provides scoring and leadership. 6-4 Jr. Bud Mackey averaged 15.7 ppg, excels in the open court, and gets to the basket with ease. Mackey has made a verbal commitment to Indiana.
6-5 Jr. Tyler Portwood adds scoring punch on the perimeter and the Cardinals need a healthy 6-6 Jr. Jordan Lee to provide a presence in the paint. 6-3 Jr. Cam Hundley has improved in all areas and will be a major contributor.
Other players expected to contribute include 6-2 Sr. Chris James, 6-1 Jr. Adrian Givens, 6-0 Sr. Jimmy Warren, 6-0 Jr. Jordan Adams, and promising 6-6 So. Richie Phares.
The Cardinals have senior leadership, an excellent junior class, and some promising underclassmen. This team has talent and the determination to capture the crown, but the 11th Region is extremely tough again this season.
2. Madison Central (26-8): Coach Allen Feldhaus Jr’s Indians roared down the stretch to capture the 11th Region title last season. Despite graduating some key performers, they return enough talent to challenge for the crown again this season.
6-5 Jr. wing player Aaron Morris averaged 17 ppg and 8 rpg last season and will be making the transition to the perimeter this season. 6-2 Sr. guard Duane Fields averaged 10 ppg and may be asked to move to the point guard position this season.
6-2 So. Keshawn Simpson averaged 6 ppg and 5 rpg last season. Simpson is very athletic and explosive off his feet. Other players expected to be key performers include 6-3 Sr. post player Chavez Dean, 6-4 Sr. post player Rob Newman, 6-4 Sr. wing player Jason Beach, and 5-10 Jr. wing player Ricky Rhodes.
Madison Central is very athletic and should be an excellent rebounding team. If the Indians can successfully replace graduated point guard Andrew Mathis and get consistent perimeter shooting they could repeat.
3. Bryan Station (20-10): Coach Champ Ligon’s Defenders have the talent to challenge for the 11th Region title last this year. The Defenders play an up-tempo style, appear to have interchangeable players, and can press from all five positions.
Bryan Station has several players capable of handling the ball and Coach Ligon was encouraged by their consistent perimeter shooting this summer.
6-2 Jr. Shelvin Mack is an excellent ballhandler and floor general. 6-5 Sr. Jaron Jones is an athletic wing player who is solid on both ends of the court. 6-3 Jr. Terrell Combs is a powerful force in the paint. 6-1 Sr. Courtney Embry is a slasher who can hit the outside shot.
Other players expected to be key contributors include 5-10 So. Montell Morones, 6-3 Sr. Stefan Lewis, 6-2 Jr. Dacoby Burnett, and 5-8 Sr. Dorian Cloyd.
Bryan Station brings a mix of talent, athleticism, and defensive intensity. If the Defenders maintain their perimeter shooting “eye”, they could be difficult to handle.
4. Lexington Catholic (23-7): Coach Brandon Salsman’s Knights graduated six seniors last season but return plenty of firepower for the 2006-2007 season.
6-3 Sr. Zach Newton is a strong defender and will be the vocal and emotional leader of the team. Newton also averaged in double figures coming off the bench. 6-5 Jr. Nathan Novosel is a strong finisher in the paint averaging 14 ppg and 10 rpg last season. Novosel also has the ability to hit the mid-range shot.
6-5 Jr. Taylor Stewart has a nice combination of athleticism and basketball ability. 6-6 Jr. Jordan Smart can nail the outside shot and his size at the 2-guard position will create matchup problems. Several other players will contribute including 6-2 So. Taylor Botkin.
Coach Salsman utilizes a pressing running style that will allow them to play 10-12 players per game. This is Coach Salsman’s second year as head coach with this team and, despite a brutal schedule, could challenge down the stretch.
5. Henry Clay (19-9): Coach Daniel Brown took over as head coach from veteran coach Kirk Chiles, who retired at the end of the season. Coach Brown must replace the point production of graduated seniors Aaron Dunaway and Aaron Miller.
6-5 Jr. Victor Moses averaged 15 ppg and 7.5 rpg and has the ability to be a special player. Victor is a force in the paint. 6-4 Jr. wing Aaron Boyd is a gifted athlete who averaged 11 ppg last season.
Coach Brown will expect leadership and playmaking from 6-0 Sr. Chase Minnifield and 5-11 Sr. Travis Bowman. Coach Brown is expecting big things from 6-0 Fr. Ge-lawn Guyn who brings a lot of energy and athleticism to the game.
The Blue Devils have several other players who will log significant minutes. The Blue Devils could be very good this season if they get consistent ballhandling and perimeter shooting.
Coach Brown is an “old school” type coach who will demand and get effort from his players.
6. Tates Creek (15-11): Coach Joe Pat Covington’s Commodores lost several games by narrow margins last season. While they graduated some key players, they return several talented performers.
6-4 Jr. Michael Sparks averaged 14 ppg and 6 rpg last season and will be expected to improve these numbers even more this season. 5-10 Jr. Michael Spalding will handle the majority of the ballhandling duties and has the ability to break down opposing defenses. Spalding is also a savvy defender with excellent anticipation.
6-5 Sr. James Johnson will be expected to score from both the high post and the perimeter. Johnson also brings a lot of energy to the game. 6-3 Sr. D. J. Dowlen excels in transition and his athleticism and quickness makes him an asset on defense.
6-4 Sr. Chris Floyd is a three point threat. 6-4 Sr. John Watkins at his best has the ability to influence all phases of the game. John is an excellent defender and rebounder, plus he possesses excellent playmaking skills.
Tates Creek usually has young talent capable of logging quality minutes during the season. This team has the talent to be a dangerous opponent.
7. Lafayette (17-11): Coach Damon Kelley’s Generals will be young, small, and inexperienced to start the season but should steadily improve as the season progresses.
Lafayette has an excellent guard duo in 6-0 Jr. Dante Stewart (13.9 ppg) and 6-0 Jr. Tommy Gifford (9.9 ppg). The Generals have some excellent young talent in 6-1 So. guard Vince Sanford, 6-3 So. forward Deron Linton, 6-1 So. guard Tyler Barber, and 6-1 So. guard Tony Taylor.
Other players figuring into the rotation include 5-9 Sr. guard Scott Bauman, 6-1 Jr. guard Alex Carpenter, and 6-3 Jr. forward Bobby Morris. 6-2 Sr. forward Jayson Langfels and 6-1 Sr. guard Dominique Sanford are also expected to contribute but have not played since their freshmen season.
The Generals face their normally brutal schedule but will utilize an uptempo style and try to apply maximum defensive pressure.
8. Paul L. Dunbar (12-17): Coach Carl “Redd” Hutchinson’s Bulldogs managed to be competitive last season with a roster loaded with underclassmen.
They return an excellent guard duo in 5-11 Jr. point guard Dion Johnson and 5-11 So. Nick Hudson. Other key players returning include 6-3 Jr. DeAndre Webb, 6-3 Jr. forward Aaron Kline, and 5-8 Jr. guard Seth Davis.
Coach Hutchinson has other underclassmen capable of stepping up this season. Although the Bulldogs will be inexperienced at some positions, the team has potential and Coach Hutchinson will get maximum effort from his players.
9. Franklin County (16-12): Coach Scott Chalk’s Flyers graduated six seniors from last year’s squad. This year’s version will be smaller but hope to compensate with quickness and versatility. The premium will be on rebounding and defensive pressure.
Players expected to make key contributions this season include 6-5 Sr. Cy Hines, 5-11 Sr. Kaelin Ammons, 6-2 Sr. Demetrius Hicks, 6-0 Sr. Eric May, 6-2 Sr. Michael Scott, and 6-2 Sr. Andrew Fields. Key newcomers include quick-on-quick 5-11 So. Deron Hicks, and 6-1 So. sharpshooter Barrett Meyer.
10. Lexington Christian Academy (13-9): Lexington Christian Academy suffered heavy graduation losses including their starting five from last season.
Former assistant coach Tommy Huston takes over this season and faces a major rebuilding effort. However, LCA chose the perfect man for the job as he was an assistant coach for years at Lexington Catholic and was instrumental in helping Coach Danny Haney shape that program.
Coach Huston will depend on an uptempo style and pressing defense. Several players will need to step up for the Eagles this season. 6-2 Sr. small forward Jeremy Hobbs is an excellent shooter and 6-3 power forward A. J. Schmitke brings a lot of athleticism to the position.
5-11 Jrs. Trace Helton and Wes Rogers should man the point guard position and 6-4 Jr. center Patrick Nevitt is expected to be a workhorse in the paint. 6-1 So. guard Tyler Towsend and 6-0 Jr. 2-guard Cameron Marshall can shoot the ball. 6-3 Fr. Will Evans can play either forward slot and has the ability to score both inside and out.
Other players will be asked to contribute because the style played will necessitate a deep rotation.
11. Western Hills (13-13): Coach Enoch Welch guided the Wolverines to a 13-13 record in his first year as head coach at Western Hills. The Wolverines were 6-21 the previous year. They expect to be improved and have more depth this season.
The top returnees include 6-5 Sr. forward Kris Toles (10.5 ppg), 5-11 Jr. guard Jay Van (9.5 ppg), 5-10 So. guard Darius Reed, 5-8 Sr. guard Tyler Combess (7.0 ppg), 6-6 Sr. center Andrew Elliston, 6-0 Sr. forward John Kendell (7.0 ppg), 5-11 Jr. guard Mike Hyatt, and 6-3 Sr. center Brandon Hawkins.
Top newcomers are 6-3 So. Mike Satterwhite, 5-10 So. Nolan McGuaghey, 6-2 Jr. Ryan Belcher (injured last season), 6-2 So. Marcus Wise, and 5-10 Fr. J. T. Riddle.
12. Sayre (18-8): Coach Gene Kirk’s Spartans graduated five seniors from last year’s squad but will have better size this season. Coach Kirk expects some talented young players to add depth and expects good team chemistry.
6-6 Sr. forward/center Alex Lloyd, 5-7 Sr. guard Dee Smith, and 6-3 Sr. guard Trae Cunningham are expected to provide offensive firepower this season. Smith is a good defender and shooter and Cunningham can nail the outside jumper.
13. Woodford County (19-12): Coach Brad Mefford takes over as head coach this season and faces a major rebuilding job. The Yellowjackets graduated eight seniors and most of the scoring punch from last year’s team.
Coach Mefford, who was head coach at Frankfort last season, recognizes he has his work cut out for him but is looking forward to the challenge. The Yellowjackets will play an uptempo style and some of the players counted on to contribute include 6-2 Sr. forward Graham Watts, 6-5 Jr. center Travis Swan, 5-9 Jr. guard Tae Mulder, and 6-3 So. guard Cameron Mattingly. Mattingly has the ability to slash to the basket as well as nail the outside shot.
Coach Mefford brings enthusiasm to the job and likes the fact that there is only one high school in Woodford County.
14. Madison Southern (16-12): Coach Shane Buttry’s Eagles graduated seven seniors from last year’s team. This year’s squad will be smaller, quicker, and must again rely on three point shooting and improved defense to compete with the big boys this year.
Key performers this season are expected to be 6-3 Sr. guard Ty Robinson, 5-10 Sr. guard Josey Cruse, 6-1 Jr. forward Casey Botkin, 6-3 Sr. forward Matt Adams, 6-0 Jr. forward Lucas Devere, 5-10 Jr. guard Josh Burns, and 5-9 Fr. point guard Carrington Todd (who could start before the season is over).
The Eagles have a talented freshman class with three of them possibly seeing varsity action this year.
15. Frankfort (11-15): Juan Byars takes over as head coach at Frankfort this season. Coach Byars must replace sharpshooter Matt Anderson who graduated, but has some nice talent at his disposal.
The Panthers expect to return 6-4 Sr. center Josh Smith, 6-3 Jr. forward E. J. Fields, and 6-0 Sr. guard Zed Smith. Frankfort, as with other teams, often has to wait until their footballers get their basketball “legs” before reaching full strength. The Panthers should also have some young players capable of helping this season.
16. Berea (15-15): Coach Todd Baldwin takes over as head coach this season and faces a major rebuilding job. Ten players graduated from last season’s Pirates squad.
5-10 Sr. Justin Engle and 5-10 Jr. Ben Flara logged varsity minutes last year but the team will be relatively inexperienced this season..
17. Model (7-19): Coach Kent Miller’s Patriots struggled last season but played hard and remained competitive in most of the games. However, Model graduated their leading scorers from last year’s squad.
6-3 Sr. wing Quenton Sandwith will be the lone returning starter. Other players expected to contribute include 5-10 Sr. guard Brett Miller, 5-9 Sr. guard Jarrod Middleton, 6-0 Sr. forward David Musick, 6-2 Sr. forward Kevin Haun, and 6-3 Sr. forward Shawn Stapp. Coach Miller expects the Patriots to be solid defensively and be a decent shooting team.
Top Players
1. Matt Walls (Scott County) 6-3 Sr. good all-around game
2. Bud Mackey (Scott County) 6-4 Jr. athleticism, gets to basket
3. Shelvin Mack (Bryan Station) 6-2 Jr. skilled floor general
4. Aaron Morris (Madison Central) 6-5 Jr. athletic in paint, will move to perimeter
5. Victor Moses (Henry Clay) 6-5 Jr. extremely tough in paint
6. Nathan Novosel (Lexington Catholic) 6-5 Jr. strong, agile, determined
7. Jaron Jones (Bryan Station) 6-5 Sr. athletic wing player
8. Michael Sparks (Tates Creek) 6-4 Jr. versatile, skilled performer
9. Dante Stewart (Lafayette) 6-0 Jr. excellent floor leader
10. Aaron Boyd (Henry Clay) 6-4 Jr. athletic, quick, can run floor
11. Duane Fields (Madison Central) 6-2 Sr. solid guard may move to PG
12. John Watkins (Tates Creek) 6-4 Sr. athletic defender/rebounder
13. Taylor Stewart (Lexington Catholic) 6-5 Jr. good skills
14. Jordan Lee (Scott County) 6-6 Jr. injury-free year could fuel Cards
15a. Jordan Smart (Lexington Catholic) 6-6 Jr. good shooter
15b. Keshawn Simpson (Madison Central) 6-2 So. athletic, explosive
Observations
Several but not all of the coaches in the 11th Region responded to my request for information, and the consensus was that once again the region has several contenders for the crown. It was generally agreed that Scott County would be favored this season, but Madison Central would not give up their crown without a fight. Bryan Station and Lexington Catholic also garnered a lot of respect and other teams were given a chance to challenge for the title.
It was extremely difficult to pick a top ten or even rank the teams one through seventeen this season. There were heavy graduation losses among several teams and five teams have new coaches this season.
Teams could jockey for position all season as they experiment with different combinations with several teams graduating most of their experience from last season.
Several teams have talented squads and, as usual, the champion will probably be the one who achieves team chemistry and peaks down the stretch. Injuries also play a big part and a key injury could bring even a favored team back to the pack.
It was even more difficult to submit a list of the top 15 players. Other players that have to be considered include Chase Minnifield (Henry Clay), Cam Hundley and Tyler Portwood (Scott County), Dion Johnson and Nick Hudson (Paul Dunbar), Trae Cunningham and Dee Smith (Sayre), Kris Toles (Western Hills), Cy Hines (Franklin County), and Cameron Mattingly (Woodford County).
The crystal ball remains cloudy in the 11th Region and prognostication in all reality becomes a “best guess”. Scott County, Bryan Station, and Henry Clay are all in the 42nd District, which means one of the potentially top teams will not even advance to regional play.
Titles are won on the basketball court and not in previews. Last year was a perfect example as Madison Central got hot and captured the title as the favored teams fell by the wayside. This year is another season and there are a few contenders that could catch fire, peak at tourney time, and make the trip to Rupp Arena in March.
By Ron Harrison
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
The 11th Region should be strong again this season with several challengers having aspirations of dethroning defending champion Madison Central.
There was a large coaching turnover this season with Frankfort, Henry Clay, Woodford County, Lexington Christian Academy, and Berea entering the season under new leadership.
The region consists of 17 teams divided into four districts (41st, 42nd, 43rd, and 44th). The 41st District consists of Frankfort, Franklin County, Western Hills, and Woodford County. The 42nd District consists of Bryan Station, Henry Clay, Sayre, and Scott County. The 43rd District consists of Lafayette, Lexington Catholic, Lexington Christian Academy, Paul L. Dunbar, and Tates Creek. The 44th District consists of Berea, Madison Central, Madison Southern, and Model.
The information included in this preview comes from coaches as well as personal observations from last season and over the summer.
1. Scott County (26-5): Coach Billy Hicks’ Cardinals will be among the favorites to capture the 11th Region title this season. The Cardinals suffered an early setback when 6-3 Sr. Rodney Haddix who averaged 16.5 ppg last season was ruled ineligible for his senior season by the KHSAA.
6-3 Sr. Matt Walls averaged 15.2 ppg and provides scoring and leadership. 6-4 Jr. Bud Mackey averaged 15.7 ppg, excels in the open court, and gets to the basket with ease. Mackey has made a verbal commitment to Indiana.
6-5 Jr. Tyler Portwood adds scoring punch on the perimeter and the Cardinals need a healthy 6-6 Jr. Jordan Lee to provide a presence in the paint. 6-3 Jr. Cam Hundley has improved in all areas and will be a major contributor.
Other players expected to contribute include 6-2 Sr. Chris James, 6-1 Jr. Adrian Givens, 6-0 Sr. Jimmy Warren, 6-0 Jr. Jordan Adams, and promising 6-6 So. Richie Phares.
The Cardinals have senior leadership, an excellent junior class, and some promising underclassmen. This team has talent and the determination to capture the crown, but the 11th Region is extremely tough again this season.
2. Madison Central (26-8): Coach Allen Feldhaus Jr’s Indians roared down the stretch to capture the 11th Region title last season. Despite graduating some key performers, they return enough talent to challenge for the crown again this season.
6-5 Jr. wing player Aaron Morris averaged 17 ppg and 8 rpg last season and will be making the transition to the perimeter this season. 6-2 Sr. guard Duane Fields averaged 10 ppg and may be asked to move to the point guard position this season.
6-2 So. Keshawn Simpson averaged 6 ppg and 5 rpg last season. Simpson is very athletic and explosive off his feet. Other players expected to be key performers include 6-3 Sr. post player Chavez Dean, 6-4 Sr. post player Rob Newman, 6-4 Sr. wing player Jason Beach, and 5-10 Jr. wing player Ricky Rhodes.
Madison Central is very athletic and should be an excellent rebounding team. If the Indians can successfully replace graduated point guard Andrew Mathis and get consistent perimeter shooting they could repeat.
3. Bryan Station (20-10): Coach Champ Ligon’s Defenders have the talent to challenge for the 11th Region title last this year. The Defenders play an up-tempo style, appear to have interchangeable players, and can press from all five positions.
Bryan Station has several players capable of handling the ball and Coach Ligon was encouraged by their consistent perimeter shooting this summer.
6-2 Jr. Shelvin Mack is an excellent ballhandler and floor general. 6-5 Sr. Jaron Jones is an athletic wing player who is solid on both ends of the court. 6-3 Jr. Terrell Combs is a powerful force in the paint. 6-1 Sr. Courtney Embry is a slasher who can hit the outside shot.
Other players expected to be key contributors include 5-10 So. Montell Morones, 6-3 Sr. Stefan Lewis, 6-2 Jr. Dacoby Burnett, and 5-8 Sr. Dorian Cloyd.
Bryan Station brings a mix of talent, athleticism, and defensive intensity. If the Defenders maintain their perimeter shooting “eye”, they could be difficult to handle.
4. Lexington Catholic (23-7): Coach Brandon Salsman’s Knights graduated six seniors last season but return plenty of firepower for the 2006-2007 season.
6-3 Sr. Zach Newton is a strong defender and will be the vocal and emotional leader of the team. Newton also averaged in double figures coming off the bench. 6-5 Jr. Nathan Novosel is a strong finisher in the paint averaging 14 ppg and 10 rpg last season. Novosel also has the ability to hit the mid-range shot.
6-5 Jr. Taylor Stewart has a nice combination of athleticism and basketball ability. 6-6 Jr. Jordan Smart can nail the outside shot and his size at the 2-guard position will create matchup problems. Several other players will contribute including 6-2 So. Taylor Botkin.
Coach Salsman utilizes a pressing running style that will allow them to play 10-12 players per game. This is Coach Salsman’s second year as head coach with this team and, despite a brutal schedule, could challenge down the stretch.
5. Henry Clay (19-9): Coach Daniel Brown took over as head coach from veteran coach Kirk Chiles, who retired at the end of the season. Coach Brown must replace the point production of graduated seniors Aaron Dunaway and Aaron Miller.
6-5 Jr. Victor Moses averaged 15 ppg and 7.5 rpg and has the ability to be a special player. Victor is a force in the paint. 6-4 Jr. wing Aaron Boyd is a gifted athlete who averaged 11 ppg last season.
Coach Brown will expect leadership and playmaking from 6-0 Sr. Chase Minnifield and 5-11 Sr. Travis Bowman. Coach Brown is expecting big things from 6-0 Fr. Ge-lawn Guyn who brings a lot of energy and athleticism to the game.
The Blue Devils have several other players who will log significant minutes. The Blue Devils could be very good this season if they get consistent ballhandling and perimeter shooting.
Coach Brown is an “old school” type coach who will demand and get effort from his players.
6. Tates Creek (15-11): Coach Joe Pat Covington’s Commodores lost several games by narrow margins last season. While they graduated some key players, they return several talented performers.
6-4 Jr. Michael Sparks averaged 14 ppg and 6 rpg last season and will be expected to improve these numbers even more this season. 5-10 Jr. Michael Spalding will handle the majority of the ballhandling duties and has the ability to break down opposing defenses. Spalding is also a savvy defender with excellent anticipation.
6-5 Sr. James Johnson will be expected to score from both the high post and the perimeter. Johnson also brings a lot of energy to the game. 6-3 Sr. D. J. Dowlen excels in transition and his athleticism and quickness makes him an asset on defense.
6-4 Sr. Chris Floyd is a three point threat. 6-4 Sr. John Watkins at his best has the ability to influence all phases of the game. John is an excellent defender and rebounder, plus he possesses excellent playmaking skills.
Tates Creek usually has young talent capable of logging quality minutes during the season. This team has the talent to be a dangerous opponent.
7. Lafayette (17-11): Coach Damon Kelley’s Generals will be young, small, and inexperienced to start the season but should steadily improve as the season progresses.
Lafayette has an excellent guard duo in 6-0 Jr. Dante Stewart (13.9 ppg) and 6-0 Jr. Tommy Gifford (9.9 ppg). The Generals have some excellent young talent in 6-1 So. guard Vince Sanford, 6-3 So. forward Deron Linton, 6-1 So. guard Tyler Barber, and 6-1 So. guard Tony Taylor.
Other players figuring into the rotation include 5-9 Sr. guard Scott Bauman, 6-1 Jr. guard Alex Carpenter, and 6-3 Jr. forward Bobby Morris. 6-2 Sr. forward Jayson Langfels and 6-1 Sr. guard Dominique Sanford are also expected to contribute but have not played since their freshmen season.
The Generals face their normally brutal schedule but will utilize an uptempo style and try to apply maximum defensive pressure.
8. Paul L. Dunbar (12-17): Coach Carl “Redd” Hutchinson’s Bulldogs managed to be competitive last season with a roster loaded with underclassmen.
They return an excellent guard duo in 5-11 Jr. point guard Dion Johnson and 5-11 So. Nick Hudson. Other key players returning include 6-3 Jr. DeAndre Webb, 6-3 Jr. forward Aaron Kline, and 5-8 Jr. guard Seth Davis.
Coach Hutchinson has other underclassmen capable of stepping up this season. Although the Bulldogs will be inexperienced at some positions, the team has potential and Coach Hutchinson will get maximum effort from his players.
9. Franklin County (16-12): Coach Scott Chalk’s Flyers graduated six seniors from last year’s squad. This year’s version will be smaller but hope to compensate with quickness and versatility. The premium will be on rebounding and defensive pressure.
Players expected to make key contributions this season include 6-5 Sr. Cy Hines, 5-11 Sr. Kaelin Ammons, 6-2 Sr. Demetrius Hicks, 6-0 Sr. Eric May, 6-2 Sr. Michael Scott, and 6-2 Sr. Andrew Fields. Key newcomers include quick-on-quick 5-11 So. Deron Hicks, and 6-1 So. sharpshooter Barrett Meyer.
10. Lexington Christian Academy (13-9): Lexington Christian Academy suffered heavy graduation losses including their starting five from last season.
Former assistant coach Tommy Huston takes over this season and faces a major rebuilding effort. However, LCA chose the perfect man for the job as he was an assistant coach for years at Lexington Catholic and was instrumental in helping Coach Danny Haney shape that program.
Coach Huston will depend on an uptempo style and pressing defense. Several players will need to step up for the Eagles this season. 6-2 Sr. small forward Jeremy Hobbs is an excellent shooter and 6-3 power forward A. J. Schmitke brings a lot of athleticism to the position.
5-11 Jrs. Trace Helton and Wes Rogers should man the point guard position and 6-4 Jr. center Patrick Nevitt is expected to be a workhorse in the paint. 6-1 So. guard Tyler Towsend and 6-0 Jr. 2-guard Cameron Marshall can shoot the ball. 6-3 Fr. Will Evans can play either forward slot and has the ability to score both inside and out.
Other players will be asked to contribute because the style played will necessitate a deep rotation.
11. Western Hills (13-13): Coach Enoch Welch guided the Wolverines to a 13-13 record in his first year as head coach at Western Hills. The Wolverines were 6-21 the previous year. They expect to be improved and have more depth this season.
The top returnees include 6-5 Sr. forward Kris Toles (10.5 ppg), 5-11 Jr. guard Jay Van (9.5 ppg), 5-10 So. guard Darius Reed, 5-8 Sr. guard Tyler Combess (7.0 ppg), 6-6 Sr. center Andrew Elliston, 6-0 Sr. forward John Kendell (7.0 ppg), 5-11 Jr. guard Mike Hyatt, and 6-3 Sr. center Brandon Hawkins.
Top newcomers are 6-3 So. Mike Satterwhite, 5-10 So. Nolan McGuaghey, 6-2 Jr. Ryan Belcher (injured last season), 6-2 So. Marcus Wise, and 5-10 Fr. J. T. Riddle.
12. Sayre (18-8): Coach Gene Kirk’s Spartans graduated five seniors from last year’s squad but will have better size this season. Coach Kirk expects some talented young players to add depth and expects good team chemistry.
6-6 Sr. forward/center Alex Lloyd, 5-7 Sr. guard Dee Smith, and 6-3 Sr. guard Trae Cunningham are expected to provide offensive firepower this season. Smith is a good defender and shooter and Cunningham can nail the outside jumper.
13. Woodford County (19-12): Coach Brad Mefford takes over as head coach this season and faces a major rebuilding job. The Yellowjackets graduated eight seniors and most of the scoring punch from last year’s team.
Coach Mefford, who was head coach at Frankfort last season, recognizes he has his work cut out for him but is looking forward to the challenge. The Yellowjackets will play an uptempo style and some of the players counted on to contribute include 6-2 Sr. forward Graham Watts, 6-5 Jr. center Travis Swan, 5-9 Jr. guard Tae Mulder, and 6-3 So. guard Cameron Mattingly. Mattingly has the ability to slash to the basket as well as nail the outside shot.
Coach Mefford brings enthusiasm to the job and likes the fact that there is only one high school in Woodford County.
14. Madison Southern (16-12): Coach Shane Buttry’s Eagles graduated seven seniors from last year’s team. This year’s squad will be smaller, quicker, and must again rely on three point shooting and improved defense to compete with the big boys this year.
Key performers this season are expected to be 6-3 Sr. guard Ty Robinson, 5-10 Sr. guard Josey Cruse, 6-1 Jr. forward Casey Botkin, 6-3 Sr. forward Matt Adams, 6-0 Jr. forward Lucas Devere, 5-10 Jr. guard Josh Burns, and 5-9 Fr. point guard Carrington Todd (who could start before the season is over).
The Eagles have a talented freshman class with three of them possibly seeing varsity action this year.
15. Frankfort (11-15): Juan Byars takes over as head coach at Frankfort this season. Coach Byars must replace sharpshooter Matt Anderson who graduated, but has some nice talent at his disposal.
The Panthers expect to return 6-4 Sr. center Josh Smith, 6-3 Jr. forward E. J. Fields, and 6-0 Sr. guard Zed Smith. Frankfort, as with other teams, often has to wait until their footballers get their basketball “legs” before reaching full strength. The Panthers should also have some young players capable of helping this season.
16. Berea (15-15): Coach Todd Baldwin takes over as head coach this season and faces a major rebuilding job. Ten players graduated from last season’s Pirates squad.
5-10 Sr. Justin Engle and 5-10 Jr. Ben Flara logged varsity minutes last year but the team will be relatively inexperienced this season..
17. Model (7-19): Coach Kent Miller’s Patriots struggled last season but played hard and remained competitive in most of the games. However, Model graduated their leading scorers from last year’s squad.
6-3 Sr. wing Quenton Sandwith will be the lone returning starter. Other players expected to contribute include 5-10 Sr. guard Brett Miller, 5-9 Sr. guard Jarrod Middleton, 6-0 Sr. forward David Musick, 6-2 Sr. forward Kevin Haun, and 6-3 Sr. forward Shawn Stapp. Coach Miller expects the Patriots to be solid defensively and be a decent shooting team.
Top Players
1. Matt Walls (Scott County) 6-3 Sr. good all-around game
2. Bud Mackey (Scott County) 6-4 Jr. athleticism, gets to basket
3. Shelvin Mack (Bryan Station) 6-2 Jr. skilled floor general
4. Aaron Morris (Madison Central) 6-5 Jr. athletic in paint, will move to perimeter
5. Victor Moses (Henry Clay) 6-5 Jr. extremely tough in paint
6. Nathan Novosel (Lexington Catholic) 6-5 Jr. strong, agile, determined
7. Jaron Jones (Bryan Station) 6-5 Sr. athletic wing player
8. Michael Sparks (Tates Creek) 6-4 Jr. versatile, skilled performer
9. Dante Stewart (Lafayette) 6-0 Jr. excellent floor leader
10. Aaron Boyd (Henry Clay) 6-4 Jr. athletic, quick, can run floor
11. Duane Fields (Madison Central) 6-2 Sr. solid guard may move to PG
12. John Watkins (Tates Creek) 6-4 Sr. athletic defender/rebounder
13. Taylor Stewart (Lexington Catholic) 6-5 Jr. good skills
14. Jordan Lee (Scott County) 6-6 Jr. injury-free year could fuel Cards
15a. Jordan Smart (Lexington Catholic) 6-6 Jr. good shooter
15b. Keshawn Simpson (Madison Central) 6-2 So. athletic, explosive
Observations
Several but not all of the coaches in the 11th Region responded to my request for information, and the consensus was that once again the region has several contenders for the crown. It was generally agreed that Scott County would be favored this season, but Madison Central would not give up their crown without a fight. Bryan Station and Lexington Catholic also garnered a lot of respect and other teams were given a chance to challenge for the title.
It was extremely difficult to pick a top ten or even rank the teams one through seventeen this season. There were heavy graduation losses among several teams and five teams have new coaches this season.
Teams could jockey for position all season as they experiment with different combinations with several teams graduating most of their experience from last season.
Several teams have talented squads and, as usual, the champion will probably be the one who achieves team chemistry and peaks down the stretch. Injuries also play a big part and a key injury could bring even a favored team back to the pack.
It was even more difficult to submit a list of the top 15 players. Other players that have to be considered include Chase Minnifield (Henry Clay), Cam Hundley and Tyler Portwood (Scott County), Dion Johnson and Nick Hudson (Paul Dunbar), Trae Cunningham and Dee Smith (Sayre), Kris Toles (Western Hills), Cy Hines (Franklin County), and Cameron Mattingly (Woodford County).
The crystal ball remains cloudy in the 11th Region and prognostication in all reality becomes a “best guess”. Scott County, Bryan Station, and Henry Clay are all in the 42nd District, which means one of the potentially top teams will not even advance to regional play.
Titles are won on the basketball court and not in previews. Last year was a perfect example as Madison Central got hot and captured the title as the favored teams fell by the wayside. This year is another season and there are a few contenders that could catch fire, peak at tourney time, and make the trip to Rupp Arena in March.