The Scribe
11-26-2006, 06:26 PM
Fourth Region
Mark Mathis
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
1. Warren Central (26-7) - When Tim Riley gets ready for a basketball season he doesn’t talk about continuing the streak of district and regional championships that Warren Central has amassed over the last five years.
Instead, the veteran Dragon coach just wants his team to get better.“I try not to put that on our kids,” Riley said. “The one thing there just is not a lot of talk about is winning district or regional championships, but what we have to do today is have a good practice, these are the things we need to improve on. The thing I want them to think about is we want to play good basketball, whether it be in a game or in a practice. We want it to be loose. It’s got to remain fun. It can’t be everyday talking about winning championships.”
The relaxed approach must be working. No other team has won five straight titles, and the Dragons will be going for their sixth straight 4th Region championship this season.
If the Dragons make it, several seniors will be playing in their fourth straight state tournament. The Dragons’ starters are all seniors. Jeremy Anderson, a 6-3 All-State candidate, would be only the second player in KHSAA history to play in five state tournaments. A young man from Clay County named Richie Farmer is the only player, so far, to pull off that
feat.
Anderson and Nick Britt, a 6-foot guard, each have scored over 1,000 points in their careers. Both are being recruited, as is Monie Hudson, a 6-footer who would be the top player on a lot of teams in western Kentucky.
Joe Hood is a 6-3 forward who has played well in the last two state tournaments. He also shoots well and makes the Dragons tough to guard.
Avery Driver is a 6-5 post player who is the team’s top rebounder. “His ability to rebound makes him an important part of the team,” Riley said.
The Dragons also have two seniors off the bench with Alen Hadimoveric, a 6-5 post player, and Aaron Rhodes, a 6-2 athlete.
2. Greenwood (19-10) - The Gators are the biggest team in the region with a front line that has a pair of 6-7 players with Ty Tipton and Sean Clark. The Gators also return point guard Mark Lacy and shooting guard Tyler Hochstetler.
3. Allen County-Scottsville (22-7) - The Patriots have good guards, which should make them hard to pressure.
Luc Graves is a 6-1 combo guard who can run the point and is the team leader. He can defend, handle the ball, score, pass and rebound.
“He can do everything for us,” AC-S coach Scott Shelton said.
Garrett Stone is a 6-2 swing man who can also play shooting guard, either forward spot or even center.
“He can play out on the floor and on the box with equal efficiency,” Shelton said.
The Patriots attack the rim and can run the floor and they have three of the top 15 players in the region.
4. Franklin-Simpson (16-13) - David Clark is cautiously optimistic about the Wildcats’ chances. The team is built around All-State guard Glenn Dalcourt, who averaged 14 points and six rebounds a game.
Rayco Bryant, a 6-5 junior center, had 12 points and six rebounds a game. Juniors Colby Clark and Jordan Bell will run the team at the guard spots.
5. Bowling Green (13-14) - The Purples have a lot of talent and more experience than last season. Senior Sean Savage is one of the top guards in the region. Rondale McMillian and Timmy Bridgeman are two other fine players for BG.
6. Russellville (17-13) - The Panthers are senior laden, like a lot of teams in this region. They have a top guard in Jerrell Mayo who is tough to defend. Tyler Meacham is another good guard.
Justin Hinton and Josh Kennedy are forwards while the post is occupied by Justin Rust.
7. Clinton County (17-11) - Justin Vittatoe is a 6-5 senior who averaged 18 points and nine rebounds a game. He can play all five positions and is one of five senior starters.
Shawn Parrish (6-foot), Josh Choate (6-1), Michial Conner (6-foot) and John Papineau (6-4) are the other seniors. Clinton County also has two more seniors, Alex Talent and Jarrod Lathem, who help the team.
Daily improvement will be the key for Clinton County to be a regional contender.
8. Metcalfe County (13-18) - Four seniors are gone from this team, but they make take momentum from last year’s late run to the regional championship game to lift them this season.
Will Warf and Trent Shirley are the top returning players.
9. Barren County (20-10) - This might be a high spot for a team that lost as many seniors as did the Trojans, but plenty of coaches in the region feel they merit consideration.
Blake Crabtree and Lee Hubbard will step into more prominent roles for Barren County this season.
10. Monroe County (8-17) - Billy Joe Murphy is a football recruit for the University of Kentucky, and he is also one of the best big men in the region at 6-7. He averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds a game last season.
Guards John Ross Banham and Philip Roper, and forwards Barrett Pruitt and Jack Hays are the other seniors who hope to pick up more wins for Monroe County.
11. Warren East (5-21) - Everyone returns for the Raiders, which has a experienced group of juniors led by Jordan Ellis, Deangelo Kirk and Demetric Ray.
12. Glasgow (10-16) - The Scotties lost several seniors but will try to improve as the season goes along. Kee Edmunds and Adrian Groves should provide leadership.
13. Russell County (15-13) - The Lakers made quite a splash, winning the 16th District in their first year after realignment.
14. Todd County Central (7-17) - Its leading scorer is gone, so the Rebels will try and avoid the long losing streaks which hurt their team last season.
15. Logan County (5-21) - This team will try to get back toward .500 despite losing seven seniors.
16. Cumberland County (3-22) - Another team that will try and get going with a more experienced group of players.
Top players
1. Jeremy Anderson, Warren Central, 6-4, guard, sr.
Could make history as the second player in state history to play in five straight Sweet Sixteen tournaments. Shoots well and is very strong.
2. Nick Britt, Warren Central, 6-foot, guard, sr.
A fine example of the talent level for the Dragons, both Britt and Anderson have scored over 1,000 points in their careers.
3. Luc Graves, Allen County-Scottsville, 6-foot, guard, sr.
One of the best all-around players in the region.
4. Sean Clark, Greenwood, 6-7, center, sr.
This big man is a good shooter in the lane and is hard to handle.
5. Glenn Dalcourt, Franklin-Simpson, 6-4, guard, sr.
An All-State level player who can score and rebound.
6. Billy Joe Murphy, Monroe County, 6-7, center, sr.
Averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds a game. He is athletic enough to have signed a football scholarship with the University of Kentucky.
7. Shawn Savage, Bowling Green, 5-9, guard, sr.
Savage has a lot of talent and could be a top scorer in the region.
8. Jerrell Mayo, Russellville, 6-1, guard, sr.
Makes opposing defenses pay attention to his quickness.
9. Justin Vittatoe, Clinton County, 6-1, forward, sr.
Has been a solid leader for this team for a couple of years.
10. Monie Hudson, Warren Central, 6-foot, guard, sr.
The third player on this team being recruited at some college level.
11. Garrett Stone, Allen County-Scottsville, 6-2, guard-forward, sr.
A versatile player who can play out on the floor or in the paint.
12. Rayco Bryant, Franklin-Simpson, 6-5, center, jr.
Put up good numbers last season with 12 points, six rebounds a game.
13. Ty Tipton, Greenwood, 6-7, forward, sr.
The second half of the Gators’ twin towers frontcourt.
14. Joe Hood, Warren Central, 6-3, forward, sr.
Has played well in the big games in the state tournament for the Dragons.
15. Avery Driver, Warren Central, 6-5, center, sr.
A great rebounder on a team full of good players.
Mark Mathis
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
1. Warren Central (26-7) - When Tim Riley gets ready for a basketball season he doesn’t talk about continuing the streak of district and regional championships that Warren Central has amassed over the last five years.
Instead, the veteran Dragon coach just wants his team to get better.“I try not to put that on our kids,” Riley said. “The one thing there just is not a lot of talk about is winning district or regional championships, but what we have to do today is have a good practice, these are the things we need to improve on. The thing I want them to think about is we want to play good basketball, whether it be in a game or in a practice. We want it to be loose. It’s got to remain fun. It can’t be everyday talking about winning championships.”
The relaxed approach must be working. No other team has won five straight titles, and the Dragons will be going for their sixth straight 4th Region championship this season.
If the Dragons make it, several seniors will be playing in their fourth straight state tournament. The Dragons’ starters are all seniors. Jeremy Anderson, a 6-3 All-State candidate, would be only the second player in KHSAA history to play in five state tournaments. A young man from Clay County named Richie Farmer is the only player, so far, to pull off that
feat.
Anderson and Nick Britt, a 6-foot guard, each have scored over 1,000 points in their careers. Both are being recruited, as is Monie Hudson, a 6-footer who would be the top player on a lot of teams in western Kentucky.
Joe Hood is a 6-3 forward who has played well in the last two state tournaments. He also shoots well and makes the Dragons tough to guard.
Avery Driver is a 6-5 post player who is the team’s top rebounder. “His ability to rebound makes him an important part of the team,” Riley said.
The Dragons also have two seniors off the bench with Alen Hadimoveric, a 6-5 post player, and Aaron Rhodes, a 6-2 athlete.
2. Greenwood (19-10) - The Gators are the biggest team in the region with a front line that has a pair of 6-7 players with Ty Tipton and Sean Clark. The Gators also return point guard Mark Lacy and shooting guard Tyler Hochstetler.
3. Allen County-Scottsville (22-7) - The Patriots have good guards, which should make them hard to pressure.
Luc Graves is a 6-1 combo guard who can run the point and is the team leader. He can defend, handle the ball, score, pass and rebound.
“He can do everything for us,” AC-S coach Scott Shelton said.
Garrett Stone is a 6-2 swing man who can also play shooting guard, either forward spot or even center.
“He can play out on the floor and on the box with equal efficiency,” Shelton said.
The Patriots attack the rim and can run the floor and they have three of the top 15 players in the region.
4. Franklin-Simpson (16-13) - David Clark is cautiously optimistic about the Wildcats’ chances. The team is built around All-State guard Glenn Dalcourt, who averaged 14 points and six rebounds a game.
Rayco Bryant, a 6-5 junior center, had 12 points and six rebounds a game. Juniors Colby Clark and Jordan Bell will run the team at the guard spots.
5. Bowling Green (13-14) - The Purples have a lot of talent and more experience than last season. Senior Sean Savage is one of the top guards in the region. Rondale McMillian and Timmy Bridgeman are two other fine players for BG.
6. Russellville (17-13) - The Panthers are senior laden, like a lot of teams in this region. They have a top guard in Jerrell Mayo who is tough to defend. Tyler Meacham is another good guard.
Justin Hinton and Josh Kennedy are forwards while the post is occupied by Justin Rust.
7. Clinton County (17-11) - Justin Vittatoe is a 6-5 senior who averaged 18 points and nine rebounds a game. He can play all five positions and is one of five senior starters.
Shawn Parrish (6-foot), Josh Choate (6-1), Michial Conner (6-foot) and John Papineau (6-4) are the other seniors. Clinton County also has two more seniors, Alex Talent and Jarrod Lathem, who help the team.
Daily improvement will be the key for Clinton County to be a regional contender.
8. Metcalfe County (13-18) - Four seniors are gone from this team, but they make take momentum from last year’s late run to the regional championship game to lift them this season.
Will Warf and Trent Shirley are the top returning players.
9. Barren County (20-10) - This might be a high spot for a team that lost as many seniors as did the Trojans, but plenty of coaches in the region feel they merit consideration.
Blake Crabtree and Lee Hubbard will step into more prominent roles for Barren County this season.
10. Monroe County (8-17) - Billy Joe Murphy is a football recruit for the University of Kentucky, and he is also one of the best big men in the region at 6-7. He averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds a game last season.
Guards John Ross Banham and Philip Roper, and forwards Barrett Pruitt and Jack Hays are the other seniors who hope to pick up more wins for Monroe County.
11. Warren East (5-21) - Everyone returns for the Raiders, which has a experienced group of juniors led by Jordan Ellis, Deangelo Kirk and Demetric Ray.
12. Glasgow (10-16) - The Scotties lost several seniors but will try to improve as the season goes along. Kee Edmunds and Adrian Groves should provide leadership.
13. Russell County (15-13) - The Lakers made quite a splash, winning the 16th District in their first year after realignment.
14. Todd County Central (7-17) - Its leading scorer is gone, so the Rebels will try and avoid the long losing streaks which hurt their team last season.
15. Logan County (5-21) - This team will try to get back toward .500 despite losing seven seniors.
16. Cumberland County (3-22) - Another team that will try and get going with a more experienced group of players.
Top players
1. Jeremy Anderson, Warren Central, 6-4, guard, sr.
Could make history as the second player in state history to play in five straight Sweet Sixteen tournaments. Shoots well and is very strong.
2. Nick Britt, Warren Central, 6-foot, guard, sr.
A fine example of the talent level for the Dragons, both Britt and Anderson have scored over 1,000 points in their careers.
3. Luc Graves, Allen County-Scottsville, 6-foot, guard, sr.
One of the best all-around players in the region.
4. Sean Clark, Greenwood, 6-7, center, sr.
This big man is a good shooter in the lane and is hard to handle.
5. Glenn Dalcourt, Franklin-Simpson, 6-4, guard, sr.
An All-State level player who can score and rebound.
6. Billy Joe Murphy, Monroe County, 6-7, center, sr.
Averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds a game. He is athletic enough to have signed a football scholarship with the University of Kentucky.
7. Shawn Savage, Bowling Green, 5-9, guard, sr.
Savage has a lot of talent and could be a top scorer in the region.
8. Jerrell Mayo, Russellville, 6-1, guard, sr.
Makes opposing defenses pay attention to his quickness.
9. Justin Vittatoe, Clinton County, 6-1, forward, sr.
Has been a solid leader for this team for a couple of years.
10. Monie Hudson, Warren Central, 6-foot, guard, sr.
The third player on this team being recruited at some college level.
11. Garrett Stone, Allen County-Scottsville, 6-2, guard-forward, sr.
A versatile player who can play out on the floor or in the paint.
12. Rayco Bryant, Franklin-Simpson, 6-5, center, jr.
Put up good numbers last season with 12 points, six rebounds a game.
13. Ty Tipton, Greenwood, 6-7, forward, sr.
The second half of the Gators’ twin towers frontcourt.
14. Joe Hood, Warren Central, 6-3, forward, sr.
Has played well in the big games in the state tournament for the Dragons.
15. Avery Driver, Warren Central, 6-5, center, sr.
A great rebounder on a team full of good players.