The Scribe
11-26-2006, 06:38 PM
Sixth Region
By Charles Taylor
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
There’s a new kid on the Sixth Region favorites block this season as Doss comes into the season as the coaches’ pick.
The Dragons have a boatload of talent, including Mr. Basketball candidate Jeff Brooks, in their quest for the school’s first regional title since 1987.
But Doss coach Shawn Purlee knows it won’t be easy.
Pleasure Ridge Park has won three consecutive regional titles and again will be solid, while DeSales, Fairdale, Central and Iroquois should also figure into the title chase before the end of the season.
1. DOSS DRAGONS – Purlee has a roster chock full of talent, including the two top players in the state in Brooks and guard Davin Anderson.
The 6-foot-8 Brooks averaged 11 points a game as a junior but emerged as one of the top college prospects in the nation over the summer. He dominated several camps and tournaments and has signed with Penn State.
Brooks, who also averaged eight rebounds a game, is tall and lanky and can change a game with his inside presence. He’s a top candidate for Mr. Basketball.
The 6-1 Anderson is also one of the top 20 players in the state and averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists as a junior.
But that’s not all of the talent.
Senior center Tony Brown averaged eight points and six rebounds last season, while guard Josh Pile and forward Theron Brown also key returning players. Forward Cameron Clemons and guard Jaxon Meade will also contribute.
Purlee said his he believes his team can go nine or 10 deep.
2. PRP PANTHERS – It’s the same story every year. The Panthers are one of the top teams in the state, lose key seniors and still contend for the title the next season.
Well, here we are again.
Veteran coach Dale Mabrey has a squad that will be quicker and a better shooting team that last year’s 29-6 team which lost to Apollo in the state semifinals.
Junior point guard Adam Decker is one of the top juniors in the state. He averaged 7.9 points and 4.5 assists as a sophomore.
Senior forward Kerry Benson scored in double figures in all but two postseason games last season and averaged 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds on the season.
Guards Nick George and Adam Delph, forward Sean Smith and center Allen Murry are other key contributors to the Panthers’ roster.
3. DESALES COLTS – The Colts have been one of the regions best programs over the past five seasons but will have to do it this season with a first-year coach.
Lance Hammond takes over for Chris Stobaugh, who led the team to a 21-10 record in his only season as the coach of his alma mater.
Hammond won’t field the most athletic team in the region, but the Colts will again be solid. Aaron Tandy is a 6-foot senior and the leader after averaging 12 points and five rebounds a game last season.
Junior guard Jeff Mullaney averaged 13.5 points, while forward Eric Wilkie, guard Cody Curtsinger and forwards Jordan Paddock and James Meloan are also returning to give the Colts plenty of depth.
4. FAIRDALE BULLDOGS – In his second year replacing veteran coach Lloyd Gardner, coach Gregg Longacre has the talent to win the regional talent.
Senior forward Reggie Smith is the leader for the Bulldogs, who have four starters back and a solid seven-player senior class.
The 6-4 Smith averaged 16 points and nine rebounds and will get plenty of help from guard Clinton Lucas, one of the regions top shooters, and point guard Byron Board. J.R. Gates and Muriel Wilkerson give Fairdale an inside presence.
5. CENTRAL YELLOWJACKETS – Coach Doug Bibby had one of the state’s top freshmen classes last season when the Yellowjackets won 18 games.
Those kids earned a year of experience and are joined by several others.
Sophomores Lee McGee, Paul Bunton and Ridge Wilson are all 6-5 and solid players both inside and on the perimeter. Junior Randy Skeens is back after averaging 10 points a game, while junior LeeVaugh Morris is also a top returnee.
6. IROQUOIS RAIDERS – The Raiders only won 12 games last season but will be the most improved team in the region. Eight key players are returning for second-year coach Michael Stinnett.
Senior guard Ardy Phillips averaged 13.5 points last season and will be expected to score more, while forward Larry Hoskins also averaged double figures.
7. BULLITT EAST CHARGERS – Robert Troutman returns as one of the region's top players and he has some sidekicks that will help the Chargers surpass last season’s 14-win total in their second season in the region.
The 6-5 Troutman also averaged eight rebounds a game. Guards Matt Miles and Tyler Downs will also help bolster coach Troy Barr’s roster.
The Chargers have just three seniors on the 19-player roster.
8. BUTLER BEARS – Veteran coach Mike Campbell is sure to get the Bears back on track after a six-win season a year ago. The Bears do return senior forward Chad Rogers, who averaged 11 points a game last season.
9. BULLITT CENTRAL COUGARS – Second-year coach Joe Pat Lee has one of the best backcourt duos in the region and several other key returning players.
Josh Jarboe, a 6-3 senior, averaged 16.5 points, five rebounds and five assists a game and is one of the regions top 10 performers.
Jason Smith also averaged 9.5 points and four assists, while other guards like Brent Smith, Josh Daniel and Travis Geralds will also play key roles.
10. VALLEY VIKINGS – Veteran coach Fred Copass is back for his 26th season with the Vikings and will have to rebuild. The Vikings lost four starters.
Senior Shawn Thomas averaged 10 points last season, while Copass is high on 6-3 sophomore Brandon Schoenhoff.
11. NORTH BULLITT EAGLES – The Eagles will have some major rebuilding to do after graduating all five starters from a 14-win team. Forward Brian Swan averaged nine points and seven rebounds and will be the leader.
12. HOLY CROSS COUGARS – Mike Durham takes over as the coach for Jody Thornsberry, who is now the school’s athletic director. Durham, a former head coach at Butler, will build around senior guard Brent Thompson.
13. SHAWNEE GOLDEN EAGLES – Second-year coach Dwight Bransford has a lot of returning players but the squad only won four games last season.
Senior Jamal Bacon could be one of the surprise players in the region after averaging 13.7 points and five assists last season. Charles Pearson is a senior guard who averaged 12.5 points last season.
14. SOUTHERN TROJANS – Todd Raque lost one of the regions top players – Al Magwood – to graduation and has a big void to fill.
Senior guard Isaiah Ellis averaged seven points a game and is among the key returnees, along with center Justin Edwards and guards Randy Roberts and Ray Jackson.
15. WESTERN WARRIORS – Coach Paul Handley is back on the sidelines after a one-year hiatus with the Warriors. Handley had coached five years at the school before stepping down last season. K.C. Goodin recently left to coach at Georgetown College.
Senior Brandon Anderson averaged 14 points and is the top returning player, along with forwards Tamron Holt and Calvin Robertson.
16. ST. FRANCIS WYVERNS – The Wyverns have one of the top unknown players in the state in 6-4 senior Zayd Abukar. He averaged 20.6 points and 13.5 rebounds a game as a junior and is closing in on 1,000 career points.
He was third in the state in rebounding and among the top 20 scorers last season and should duplicate the output this season.
17. BETH HAVEN BEARCATS – The Bearcats won the All “A” Classic regional title last season and has some returning talent.
But coach Brad Morgan must replace four key seniors. Cory Lacefield averaged 10 points last season and is back, along with Josh Geary and Lance Dillman.
18. BROWN BEARS – The Bears made it to the regional tournament for the first time in school history and return several key players. Senior guard Keith Williams is the top returnee, along with senior Chris Williams and junior Alex Goffner.
19. EVANGEL EAGLES – Second-year coach Stan Cook has two double-figure scorers back for a program that has 40-plus losses in two years. Matt Fulks averaged 15 points and game, while Chris Webster chipped in 11 points a contest.
20. PORTLAND CHRISTIAN EAGLES – The Eagles must rebuild after losing a pair of five-year starters and a coach. Former player J.T. Henderson is the new coach and Ray Shutt is a junior transfer from Fern Creek.
Top Players
1. Jeff Brooks, Doss, 6-8, Sr.
Comment: Major Division I schools weren’t all over him for nothing.
2. Davin Anderson, Doss, 6-1, Sr.
Comment: Will run the show for the Dragons; also a Division I prospect.
3. Adam Decker, PRP, 5-11, Jr.
Comment: The next PRP star; he’s as solid as they come as a guard.
4. Kerry Benson, PRP, 6-5, Sr.
Comment: The slasher should lead the Panthers in scoring.
5. Aaron Tandy, DeSales, 6-0, Sr.
Comment: The leading scorer for the Colts; has a solid all-around game.
6. Reggie Smith, Fairdale, 6-4, Sr.
Comment: The best pure athlete in the region?
7. Robert Troutman, Bullitt East, 6-5, Sr.
Comment: Another in a long line of solid Troutman players for Chargers.
8. Josh Jarboe, Bullitt Central, 6-2, Sr.
Comment: Hard-nosed kid is a solid perimeter player.
9. Chad Rogers, Butler, 6-4, Sr.
Comment: Will help the Bears turn around after a losing season.
10. Lee McGee, Central, 6-5, So.
Comment: One of the top sophomores in the state.
By Charles Taylor
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
There’s a new kid on the Sixth Region favorites block this season as Doss comes into the season as the coaches’ pick.
The Dragons have a boatload of talent, including Mr. Basketball candidate Jeff Brooks, in their quest for the school’s first regional title since 1987.
But Doss coach Shawn Purlee knows it won’t be easy.
Pleasure Ridge Park has won three consecutive regional titles and again will be solid, while DeSales, Fairdale, Central and Iroquois should also figure into the title chase before the end of the season.
1. DOSS DRAGONS – Purlee has a roster chock full of talent, including the two top players in the state in Brooks and guard Davin Anderson.
The 6-foot-8 Brooks averaged 11 points a game as a junior but emerged as one of the top college prospects in the nation over the summer. He dominated several camps and tournaments and has signed with Penn State.
Brooks, who also averaged eight rebounds a game, is tall and lanky and can change a game with his inside presence. He’s a top candidate for Mr. Basketball.
The 6-1 Anderson is also one of the top 20 players in the state and averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists as a junior.
But that’s not all of the talent.
Senior center Tony Brown averaged eight points and six rebounds last season, while guard Josh Pile and forward Theron Brown also key returning players. Forward Cameron Clemons and guard Jaxon Meade will also contribute.
Purlee said his he believes his team can go nine or 10 deep.
2. PRP PANTHERS – It’s the same story every year. The Panthers are one of the top teams in the state, lose key seniors and still contend for the title the next season.
Well, here we are again.
Veteran coach Dale Mabrey has a squad that will be quicker and a better shooting team that last year’s 29-6 team which lost to Apollo in the state semifinals.
Junior point guard Adam Decker is one of the top juniors in the state. He averaged 7.9 points and 4.5 assists as a sophomore.
Senior forward Kerry Benson scored in double figures in all but two postseason games last season and averaged 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds on the season.
Guards Nick George and Adam Delph, forward Sean Smith and center Allen Murry are other key contributors to the Panthers’ roster.
3. DESALES COLTS – The Colts have been one of the regions best programs over the past five seasons but will have to do it this season with a first-year coach.
Lance Hammond takes over for Chris Stobaugh, who led the team to a 21-10 record in his only season as the coach of his alma mater.
Hammond won’t field the most athletic team in the region, but the Colts will again be solid. Aaron Tandy is a 6-foot senior and the leader after averaging 12 points and five rebounds a game last season.
Junior guard Jeff Mullaney averaged 13.5 points, while forward Eric Wilkie, guard Cody Curtsinger and forwards Jordan Paddock and James Meloan are also returning to give the Colts plenty of depth.
4. FAIRDALE BULLDOGS – In his second year replacing veteran coach Lloyd Gardner, coach Gregg Longacre has the talent to win the regional talent.
Senior forward Reggie Smith is the leader for the Bulldogs, who have four starters back and a solid seven-player senior class.
The 6-4 Smith averaged 16 points and nine rebounds and will get plenty of help from guard Clinton Lucas, one of the regions top shooters, and point guard Byron Board. J.R. Gates and Muriel Wilkerson give Fairdale an inside presence.
5. CENTRAL YELLOWJACKETS – Coach Doug Bibby had one of the state’s top freshmen classes last season when the Yellowjackets won 18 games.
Those kids earned a year of experience and are joined by several others.
Sophomores Lee McGee, Paul Bunton and Ridge Wilson are all 6-5 and solid players both inside and on the perimeter. Junior Randy Skeens is back after averaging 10 points a game, while junior LeeVaugh Morris is also a top returnee.
6. IROQUOIS RAIDERS – The Raiders only won 12 games last season but will be the most improved team in the region. Eight key players are returning for second-year coach Michael Stinnett.
Senior guard Ardy Phillips averaged 13.5 points last season and will be expected to score more, while forward Larry Hoskins also averaged double figures.
7. BULLITT EAST CHARGERS – Robert Troutman returns as one of the region's top players and he has some sidekicks that will help the Chargers surpass last season’s 14-win total in their second season in the region.
The 6-5 Troutman also averaged eight rebounds a game. Guards Matt Miles and Tyler Downs will also help bolster coach Troy Barr’s roster.
The Chargers have just three seniors on the 19-player roster.
8. BUTLER BEARS – Veteran coach Mike Campbell is sure to get the Bears back on track after a six-win season a year ago. The Bears do return senior forward Chad Rogers, who averaged 11 points a game last season.
9. BULLITT CENTRAL COUGARS – Second-year coach Joe Pat Lee has one of the best backcourt duos in the region and several other key returning players.
Josh Jarboe, a 6-3 senior, averaged 16.5 points, five rebounds and five assists a game and is one of the regions top 10 performers.
Jason Smith also averaged 9.5 points and four assists, while other guards like Brent Smith, Josh Daniel and Travis Geralds will also play key roles.
10. VALLEY VIKINGS – Veteran coach Fred Copass is back for his 26th season with the Vikings and will have to rebuild. The Vikings lost four starters.
Senior Shawn Thomas averaged 10 points last season, while Copass is high on 6-3 sophomore Brandon Schoenhoff.
11. NORTH BULLITT EAGLES – The Eagles will have some major rebuilding to do after graduating all five starters from a 14-win team. Forward Brian Swan averaged nine points and seven rebounds and will be the leader.
12. HOLY CROSS COUGARS – Mike Durham takes over as the coach for Jody Thornsberry, who is now the school’s athletic director. Durham, a former head coach at Butler, will build around senior guard Brent Thompson.
13. SHAWNEE GOLDEN EAGLES – Second-year coach Dwight Bransford has a lot of returning players but the squad only won four games last season.
Senior Jamal Bacon could be one of the surprise players in the region after averaging 13.7 points and five assists last season. Charles Pearson is a senior guard who averaged 12.5 points last season.
14. SOUTHERN TROJANS – Todd Raque lost one of the regions top players – Al Magwood – to graduation and has a big void to fill.
Senior guard Isaiah Ellis averaged seven points a game and is among the key returnees, along with center Justin Edwards and guards Randy Roberts and Ray Jackson.
15. WESTERN WARRIORS – Coach Paul Handley is back on the sidelines after a one-year hiatus with the Warriors. Handley had coached five years at the school before stepping down last season. K.C. Goodin recently left to coach at Georgetown College.
Senior Brandon Anderson averaged 14 points and is the top returning player, along with forwards Tamron Holt and Calvin Robertson.
16. ST. FRANCIS WYVERNS – The Wyverns have one of the top unknown players in the state in 6-4 senior Zayd Abukar. He averaged 20.6 points and 13.5 rebounds a game as a junior and is closing in on 1,000 career points.
He was third in the state in rebounding and among the top 20 scorers last season and should duplicate the output this season.
17. BETH HAVEN BEARCATS – The Bearcats won the All “A” Classic regional title last season and has some returning talent.
But coach Brad Morgan must replace four key seniors. Cory Lacefield averaged 10 points last season and is back, along with Josh Geary and Lance Dillman.
18. BROWN BEARS – The Bears made it to the regional tournament for the first time in school history and return several key players. Senior guard Keith Williams is the top returnee, along with senior Chris Williams and junior Alex Goffner.
19. EVANGEL EAGLES – Second-year coach Stan Cook has two double-figure scorers back for a program that has 40-plus losses in two years. Matt Fulks averaged 15 points and game, while Chris Webster chipped in 11 points a contest.
20. PORTLAND CHRISTIAN EAGLES – The Eagles must rebuild after losing a pair of five-year starters and a coach. Former player J.T. Henderson is the new coach and Ray Shutt is a junior transfer from Fern Creek.
Top Players
1. Jeff Brooks, Doss, 6-8, Sr.
Comment: Major Division I schools weren’t all over him for nothing.
2. Davin Anderson, Doss, 6-1, Sr.
Comment: Will run the show for the Dragons; also a Division I prospect.
3. Adam Decker, PRP, 5-11, Jr.
Comment: The next PRP star; he’s as solid as they come as a guard.
4. Kerry Benson, PRP, 6-5, Sr.
Comment: The slasher should lead the Panthers in scoring.
5. Aaron Tandy, DeSales, 6-0, Sr.
Comment: The leading scorer for the Colts; has a solid all-around game.
6. Reggie Smith, Fairdale, 6-4, Sr.
Comment: The best pure athlete in the region?
7. Robert Troutman, Bullitt East, 6-5, Sr.
Comment: Another in a long line of solid Troutman players for Chargers.
8. Josh Jarboe, Bullitt Central, 6-2, Sr.
Comment: Hard-nosed kid is a solid perimeter player.
9. Chad Rogers, Butler, 6-4, Sr.
Comment: Will help the Bears turn around after a losing season.
10. Lee McGee, Central, 6-5, So.
Comment: One of the top sophomores in the state.