The Scribe
11-27-2006, 02:37 AM
Eighth Region
By Mickey Jackson
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
There are several solid basketball teams in the Eighth Region this season but most coaches in the region believe the title hunt will come down to just two teams.
Simon Kenton and Shelby County are the picks.
The two squared off in last year’s regional final with Shelby County winning and both have a load of talent back in the fold for the new season.
But should those teams slip up there’s plenty of challengers that could creep into the picture including, South Oldham, Gallatin County, North Oldham, Oldham County and Anderson County.
1. Simon Kenton – Twenty-six years after winning the state title, Simon Kenton has a big-time shot to get back to the Sweet 16.
The Pioneers are loaded with talent.
Senior All-Region performers Mike Hester and Josh Hurd head a list of four returning starters from a squad that went 20-11 last season.
The 5-foot-9 Hester will be starting for the fourth consecutive season after averaging 19 points a game last season. He’s an early candidate for Regional Player of the Year honors.
Hurd is a 6-8 post player who also averaged double figures last season. Senior guard Seth Blevins and senior forward Josh Elbert are also returning.
Coach Trent Steiner said he also has some talent off the bench, including juniors Zach Lane and Brandon Maegley.
2. Shelby County – The Rockets dropped a decision to eventual state champion Jeffersontown in the Sweet 16 quarterfinals.
Coach Mike Clark must replace All-State guard A.J. Slaughter, but the Rockets have one of the best frontcourts in the state.
Isreal Chambers is a 6-6 forward and will be joined by 6-8 Eugene Wade. Chambers averaged 12 points and seven rebounds last season, while Wade chipped in nine points and nine rebounds a game.
Forward Joel Cochran, guard Alex Matthews and forward Cody Minnis are three juniors that will log plenty of quality minutes.
3. South Oldham – The Dragons won only 11 games last season but should be the most improved team in the region and perhaps the Louisville area.
Coach Steve Simpson has one of the top players in the region in senior guard Sean Stiles and several other key cogs returning.
While Stiles is only 5-9, he’s steady and sure with the ball. He averaged 15 points and six assists a game last season.
Chris Lee is a 6-4 senior who chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds, while 6-4 Josh Lamb and 6-2 Kellan Nix are other top players.
The Dragons had a lot of success in play during the summer, including wins over defending state champion Jeffersontown and power Pleasure Ridge Park.
4. North Oldham – Former Male High School and Georgetown College star Danny Edelen takes over the rising Mustangs’ program.
In only the school’s fourth year as a school, the Mustangs are on coach No. 5.
Edelen takes over a program that lost eight seniors, including Bellarmine signee Kevin Allen, but does return four-year starter Matt Spencer. He averaged 16.2 points and five rebounds a game last season.
Senior Conner Krall, junior Michael Rowan and several other youngsters should thrive in Edelen’s up-tempo style.
5. Gallatin County – The Wildcats are favored to win the All “A” regional title and could have one of the best teams in school history.
Coach Jon Jones returns all but one player off last year’s 19-10 team and adds transfer Nate Edmonson, who started for Ninth Region power Covington Holmes two years ago and should break into the starting lineup.
Forwards Cody Perkins and Jared Carlton are the two top returnees, along with J.R. Davis and David Henson. But the talent doesn’t stop there for Jones’ bunch, who should also get a lift from super sophomore Trent Maddox.
6. Oldham County – Longtime coach Gary Forrest lost two key players to graduation but still has some talent in the program.
Sophomore Eric Dunlop, a 5-9 guard, averaged nine points a game as a freshman and is one of the top sophomores in the region.
Juniors Matt Moore and Matt Day will contribute right away.
7. Anderson County – Coach Glen Drury watched four starters walk down the aisle at the Bearcats graduation last spring.
There are some huge voids to fill in the lineup, but Drury has a good building block in sophomore C.J. Penny. As a freshman starter, Penny averaged 14 points and seven rebounds and showed signs of stardom.
8. Henry County – In three years under coach Jason Holland, the Wildcats have improved and won 12 games last season.
With several key players back in the fold, Henry County should be in the hunt to post a winning-record this season. Vernon Bryant and Ben Roberts are keys.
9. Spencer County – The Bears could be a surprise again this campaign with two key starters returning from a 14-win season.
Junior Craig Edwards is the offensive leader and averaged 14 points and seven rebounds as a sophomore, while senior Josh Arnold is also a standout.
Senior Justin Thornsberry and junior Zach Shields add depth.
10. Walton-Verona – Kyle Bennett will field a team that will be much improved from eight wins last season. The Bearcats have enough talent to be the team that challenges Gallatin County for the All “A” regional title.
Franklin Daugherty is a 6-3 guard and a leader for Walton-Verona, while forward Robert Zwick and guard Josh Roberts are also key players.
11. Eminence – After not being competitive for a number of years, the Warriors have turned the corner in the region.
Keith Blackburn saw his team post 14 wins and 13 losses last season and there are hopes for another winning campaign this winter.
Forward Zach Young and guards Eric Shannon and Ed Berry are top players.
12. Grant County – Junior forward Lucas Sharp is one of the top players back in the district and will be the leader. Guards Josh Shipp and Josh Livingood are also back for the Braves.
13. Carroll County – The Panthers were hit as hard by graduation as anybody in the region, losing their top three players.
All-Region guard Brett Miller was the biggest loss but the Panthers are hoping several younger players step up this season.
14. Owen County – The Rebels lost several key players and longtime coach Gran Mefford, who retired. Former player Devin Duvall is the new coach and he has guard Danny O’Toole and forward Jared Perkins to build around.
15. Trimble County – After winning just four games last season, the Raiders are likely to struggle again this season with a bunch of youngsters.
Matt Jennings averaged 13 points a game last season and is back.
16. Williamstown – The Demons will need a lot of improvement to be competitive in the region after just four wins last season. Guard Jacob Cheesman and Zach Anglin are back to help try and turn things around.
Top Players
1. Mike Hester, Simon Kenton, 5-9, Sr.
Comment: He’s steady, heady and one of the state’s best guards.
2. Eugene Wade, Shelby County, 6-8, Sr.
Comment: Makes the Rockets a top-20 team with solid post play.
3. Isreal Chambers, Shelby County, 6-6, Sr.
Comment: A dominator in the paint.
4. Sean Stiles, South Oldham, 5-9, Sr.
Comment: Has improved dramatically over the summer and was already good.
5. Matt Spencer, North Oldham, 6-0, Sr.
Comment: Should thrive under new coach Danny Edelen.
6. Josh Hurd, Simon Kenton, 6-8, Sr.
Comment: When he gets it going is unstoppable in the paint.
7. Eric Dunlop, Oldham County, 5-10, So.
Comment: Another talented guard in the Gary Forrest stable.
8. C.J. Penny, Anderson County, 6-3, So.
Comment: His team will have to rely heavily on his performance.
9. Cody Perkins, Gallatin County, 6-2, Sr.
Comment: Has a lot of on-the-floor smarts and is a solid shooter.
10. Josh Elbert, Simon Kenton, 6-4, Sr.
Comment: His solid play could take Pioneers to another level.
By Mickey Jackson
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
There are several solid basketball teams in the Eighth Region this season but most coaches in the region believe the title hunt will come down to just two teams.
Simon Kenton and Shelby County are the picks.
The two squared off in last year’s regional final with Shelby County winning and both have a load of talent back in the fold for the new season.
But should those teams slip up there’s plenty of challengers that could creep into the picture including, South Oldham, Gallatin County, North Oldham, Oldham County and Anderson County.
1. Simon Kenton – Twenty-six years after winning the state title, Simon Kenton has a big-time shot to get back to the Sweet 16.
The Pioneers are loaded with talent.
Senior All-Region performers Mike Hester and Josh Hurd head a list of four returning starters from a squad that went 20-11 last season.
The 5-foot-9 Hester will be starting for the fourth consecutive season after averaging 19 points a game last season. He’s an early candidate for Regional Player of the Year honors.
Hurd is a 6-8 post player who also averaged double figures last season. Senior guard Seth Blevins and senior forward Josh Elbert are also returning.
Coach Trent Steiner said he also has some talent off the bench, including juniors Zach Lane and Brandon Maegley.
2. Shelby County – The Rockets dropped a decision to eventual state champion Jeffersontown in the Sweet 16 quarterfinals.
Coach Mike Clark must replace All-State guard A.J. Slaughter, but the Rockets have one of the best frontcourts in the state.
Isreal Chambers is a 6-6 forward and will be joined by 6-8 Eugene Wade. Chambers averaged 12 points and seven rebounds last season, while Wade chipped in nine points and nine rebounds a game.
Forward Joel Cochran, guard Alex Matthews and forward Cody Minnis are three juniors that will log plenty of quality minutes.
3. South Oldham – The Dragons won only 11 games last season but should be the most improved team in the region and perhaps the Louisville area.
Coach Steve Simpson has one of the top players in the region in senior guard Sean Stiles and several other key cogs returning.
While Stiles is only 5-9, he’s steady and sure with the ball. He averaged 15 points and six assists a game last season.
Chris Lee is a 6-4 senior who chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds, while 6-4 Josh Lamb and 6-2 Kellan Nix are other top players.
The Dragons had a lot of success in play during the summer, including wins over defending state champion Jeffersontown and power Pleasure Ridge Park.
4. North Oldham – Former Male High School and Georgetown College star Danny Edelen takes over the rising Mustangs’ program.
In only the school’s fourth year as a school, the Mustangs are on coach No. 5.
Edelen takes over a program that lost eight seniors, including Bellarmine signee Kevin Allen, but does return four-year starter Matt Spencer. He averaged 16.2 points and five rebounds a game last season.
Senior Conner Krall, junior Michael Rowan and several other youngsters should thrive in Edelen’s up-tempo style.
5. Gallatin County – The Wildcats are favored to win the All “A” regional title and could have one of the best teams in school history.
Coach Jon Jones returns all but one player off last year’s 19-10 team and adds transfer Nate Edmonson, who started for Ninth Region power Covington Holmes two years ago and should break into the starting lineup.
Forwards Cody Perkins and Jared Carlton are the two top returnees, along with J.R. Davis and David Henson. But the talent doesn’t stop there for Jones’ bunch, who should also get a lift from super sophomore Trent Maddox.
6. Oldham County – Longtime coach Gary Forrest lost two key players to graduation but still has some talent in the program.
Sophomore Eric Dunlop, a 5-9 guard, averaged nine points a game as a freshman and is one of the top sophomores in the region.
Juniors Matt Moore and Matt Day will contribute right away.
7. Anderson County – Coach Glen Drury watched four starters walk down the aisle at the Bearcats graduation last spring.
There are some huge voids to fill in the lineup, but Drury has a good building block in sophomore C.J. Penny. As a freshman starter, Penny averaged 14 points and seven rebounds and showed signs of stardom.
8. Henry County – In three years under coach Jason Holland, the Wildcats have improved and won 12 games last season.
With several key players back in the fold, Henry County should be in the hunt to post a winning-record this season. Vernon Bryant and Ben Roberts are keys.
9. Spencer County – The Bears could be a surprise again this campaign with two key starters returning from a 14-win season.
Junior Craig Edwards is the offensive leader and averaged 14 points and seven rebounds as a sophomore, while senior Josh Arnold is also a standout.
Senior Justin Thornsberry and junior Zach Shields add depth.
10. Walton-Verona – Kyle Bennett will field a team that will be much improved from eight wins last season. The Bearcats have enough talent to be the team that challenges Gallatin County for the All “A” regional title.
Franklin Daugherty is a 6-3 guard and a leader for Walton-Verona, while forward Robert Zwick and guard Josh Roberts are also key players.
11. Eminence – After not being competitive for a number of years, the Warriors have turned the corner in the region.
Keith Blackburn saw his team post 14 wins and 13 losses last season and there are hopes for another winning campaign this winter.
Forward Zach Young and guards Eric Shannon and Ed Berry are top players.
12. Grant County – Junior forward Lucas Sharp is one of the top players back in the district and will be the leader. Guards Josh Shipp and Josh Livingood are also back for the Braves.
13. Carroll County – The Panthers were hit as hard by graduation as anybody in the region, losing their top three players.
All-Region guard Brett Miller was the biggest loss but the Panthers are hoping several younger players step up this season.
14. Owen County – The Rebels lost several key players and longtime coach Gran Mefford, who retired. Former player Devin Duvall is the new coach and he has guard Danny O’Toole and forward Jared Perkins to build around.
15. Trimble County – After winning just four games last season, the Raiders are likely to struggle again this season with a bunch of youngsters.
Matt Jennings averaged 13 points a game last season and is back.
16. Williamstown – The Demons will need a lot of improvement to be competitive in the region after just four wins last season. Guard Jacob Cheesman and Zach Anglin are back to help try and turn things around.
Top Players
1. Mike Hester, Simon Kenton, 5-9, Sr.
Comment: He’s steady, heady and one of the state’s best guards.
2. Eugene Wade, Shelby County, 6-8, Sr.
Comment: Makes the Rockets a top-20 team with solid post play.
3. Isreal Chambers, Shelby County, 6-6, Sr.
Comment: A dominator in the paint.
4. Sean Stiles, South Oldham, 5-9, Sr.
Comment: Has improved dramatically over the summer and was already good.
5. Matt Spencer, North Oldham, 6-0, Sr.
Comment: Should thrive under new coach Danny Edelen.
6. Josh Hurd, Simon Kenton, 6-8, Sr.
Comment: When he gets it going is unstoppable in the paint.
7. Eric Dunlop, Oldham County, 5-10, So.
Comment: Another talented guard in the Gary Forrest stable.
8. C.J. Penny, Anderson County, 6-3, So.
Comment: His team will have to rely heavily on his performance.
9. Cody Perkins, Gallatin County, 6-2, Sr.
Comment: Has a lot of on-the-floor smarts and is a solid shooter.
10. Josh Elbert, Simon Kenton, 6-4, Sr.
Comment: His solid play could take Pioneers to another level.