The Scribe
11-25-2007, 05:28 PM
BGP Boys' Second Region Preview
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
Madisonville (22-10) – The Maroons are looking for their first region title in seven years and have a pair of Division-I prospects leading the way.
Junior Jon Hood (6-6) averaged 18 points and 6.7 rebounds as a sophomore for a Maroon squad that was beaten by Christian County in the semifinals of the region tournament.
Hood is getting plenty of college looks after a successful summer on the AAU circuit. Ole Miss, Western Kentucky, and Georgia are among the suitors for Hood.
6-7 senior Darnell Moore averaged 15 points and 11.6 rebounds last year and provides an aggressive inside presence for Madisonville.
Head coach James Davis also has 6-3 forward Caleb Nelson and 6-2 transfer Luke Menser, who sat out last year after playing at Hopkins County Central as a sophomore.
Madisonville will have one of the deeper teams in the region, which should be enough for them to survive challenges from University Heights and Christian County.
University Heights (13-14) – The Blazers had some of the region’s best talent last year, but it didn’t translate into success on the court. As a result, UHA was bounced from the district tournament in the first round and suffered through the school’s first losing season in four years.
Former Pikeville College head coach Randy McCoy was hired to lead the Blazers. His staff includes former Graham head coach and Trigg County athletic director Taylor Sparks.
McCoy’s primary duty will be to find some depth to accent Scotty Hopson and Tyshawn Edmonson.
The 6-7 Hopson is rated among the nation’s best seniors, although his consistency has been questioned throughout his career. Hopson had committed to play at Mississippi State before last year but did not sign in November, instead putting off his college decision until after the season.
Hopson averaged 17.8 points a game last year and is among the best at taking the basketball to the rim.
Edmonson, a 6-4 senior guard, often gets overlooked because of Hopson, but has proven to be a valuable player on both sides of the basketball.
Guards Marcus Reeves and DaQuan Brown should see plenty of time in the backcourt and allow McCoy to move Edmonson to a forward spot.
However, McCoy’s roster only has seven upperclassmen, no sophomores, and 12 freshman and eighth graders. If he can’t find some depth to counter foul trouble by the starters, then the Blazers will have a tough time making it out of the Eighth District again this year.
Christian County (28-5) – Despite losing four of their top five scorers from last year’s region title team, Colonel head coach Kerry Stovall expects to have a team ready to challenge for their third straight region title.
6-4 sophomore Shaquille Wilson came off the bench to score 6.7 points and shoot 36-percent from 3-point range.
DeCorrian Romero (5-11, Sr.) and junior Corey Wilford (4.6 ppg.) should settle into backcourt roles for Stovall, who lost potential starter Russell Dillard when his family moved to Louisville.
Malcolm McDuffen (6-3, Soph.) and DaQuan Murden (6-3, Jr.) give the Colonels a little size on the inside and should see their playing time increase dramatically.
Don’t be surprised to see the Colonels surprise some teams and advance to Rupp Arena again this year.
Hopkinsville (19-12) – First-year head coach Jim Simmons came in from Graves County and managed 19 wins with a tough-love attitude.
With a full season and summer to adjust to Simmons’ style, the Tigers should challenge Christian County and UHA in the always-tough Eighth District.
Darnell Davis (6-4, Soph.) and Karlos Thompson (6-6, Sr.) feature the size to challenge both Madisonville and UHA.
Simmons will need big seasons from his guards Dominque McDonald and DeMarcus Carter if the Tigers are to advance out of the district and repeat last year’s success.
Henderson County (24-6) – Henderson County lost four starters and their head coach from a team that lost in the region championship for the fifth time in six years.
Former Johnson Central head coach Mark Starns takes over at Henderson County and will try and build around 6-3 senior Josh Terry, who averaged 13 points and seven rebounds a game last year.
Jacob Powell and Coleman Tramill will join Terry on the frontline.
Guard Ben Patterson, Andy Adkins, a 6-5 center, and sophomore Brock Stone should all see time in Starns’ pressing style of offense.
As usual, Henderson is expected to have depth on the bench, especially at the guard position.
Hopkins County Central (14-16) – Hopkins Central should feature the region’s tallest frontcourt with 6-8 bookends Chuck Jones and Dan Croft. Jones is the more versatile, able to step out and knock down the long jumper as he did last year in scoring 12 points a game. He’ll need to grab more than five rebounds a game this year.
Juniors Kelsey Bowman and Corey Coble run the backcourt and should make the Storm competitive in the Seventh District.
Webster County (15-15) – Webster County got hot at the right time, nearly knocking off Henderson County in the district title game and advancing to the region tournament.
Third-year head coach Bev Hart has a junior-dominated squad that could surprise again in a Sixth District hit hard by graduation and coaching changes.
Labrice Williams (6-2, Jr.) is the top returning scorer at nine points a game, while 6-4 junior Drew Dement averaged six points and five rebounds last year.
They are two of four juniors expected to start for the Trojans.
Fort Campbell (8-17) – Fort Campbell’s long run in the football playoffs will have an effect on the Falcons’ early season success.
That is coupled with the loss of 11 players from last year’s 8-17 team, including five that transferred off post.
Head coach Amy Sholar isn’t sure how many players will come over from the gridiron, but she knows she will have senior guard Robbie Townsend, who averaged 13.7 points a game last year.
Senior guard Branden Ward joins Townsend in the backcourt, while Raquan Durrante, Jermaine Irwin, and Olan Andrews will contribute for the Falcons this year.
Union County (8-19) – The Braves lost most of their scoring and head coach Bill Price, who retired after last season.
Shayne Carey, a college assistant for six years, a high school head coach for two and a high school assistant for four years, was hired to try and rebuild the Braves’ program.
Toraz Jones (5-8, Jr.) and Steven Waggener (5-10, Sr.) return in the backcourt, while Will Monsour (6-1, Sr.), Dustin Moore (5-10, Sr.), Travis Hurst (6-2, Jr.), and Brad Buchanan (6-1, Soph.) will all battle for time in the frontcourt.
Dawson Springs (5-21) – The community of Dawson Springs celebrated the election win of native son Steve Beshear to the office of governor. A month later, hopes are high the Panthers can bring the school their first winning season in nine years.
Ethan Scott (6-6, Jr.) averaged 13.2 points and 5.7 rebounds last year and presents a tough matchup for opposing defenses.
6-4 junior Aaron Duke led the Panthers in shooting last year and added five more boards in the paint.
Wes Mitchell (6-4, Jr.) gives the Panthers some more size inside, but head coach Wayne Simpson will need a solid season from his backcourt if they are to sniff .500.
Justin Jones (5-8, Jr.), Trevor Sewell (5-10, Sr.), and senior Kyle Chappell will compete for the starting guard spots.
Caldwell County (23-4) – Caldwell County will have to find a way to replace Matt Fraelix and his 33 points per game.
Head coach Michael Fraelix is looking for 6-3 senior Jake Pepper (12.1 ppg.) and 6-2 senior L.J. Wilson to pick up the scoring slack.
Tron Gray, Dee Boyd, and 6-6 junior Jared Choate will all see their roles increase this year as well as the Tigers fall victim to heavy graduation losses in an improved Seventh District.
Lyon County (4-21) – The Lyons are picked by many to win a Fifth District that appears as even as it has ever been.
Jeff Embrey moves over from Trigg County after a year and inherits a Lyons program that has won just nine games in three years.
In a district that is vertically challenged, Embrey has the luxury of being able to go 6-6, 6-6, and 6-5 across the front if he chooses.
Senior Eddie Smith and junior Ramsey Walker give the Lyons a pair of 6-6 inside players, combining for 18 points and 13 rebounds a game last year.
6-5 senior Eli Nickell will see his minutes increase this year as well.
6-2 junior Mitchell Peeler could prove to be the district’s most improved player, and will be joined in the backcourt by sophomore Timmy Perdue.
Trigg County (10-19) – When Jeff Embrey left for district rival Lyon County, the Wildcats turned to former coach Mike Wright to rebuild the program as he did 15 years earlier.
Wright, who has been coaching the middle school program for the past five years, has seen and coached many of the players he now has at the varsity level.
Junior guard Jonathon King averaged 14 points and 5.7 rebounds and had a busy summer that saw schools like Harvard, Duquesne, Murray State, and Tennessee Tech show some interest.
Jalik Alexander (6-0, Soph.) and Zeke Wright (6-1, Soph.) are two more returning starters for the Wildcats, who don’t have any seniors and no one over 6-2 on the roster.
Crittenden County (10-15) – Junior Gaige Courtney is one of the region’s more versatile players, able to play all five positions on the floor.
Unfortunately for Rockets head coach Rob Towery, he can’t play them all at the same time.
Guards Adam Hardin and Cody Holzer also return for Crittenden County, who will field a team of mostly underclassmen.
Livingston Central (11-16) – The Cardinals have had one winning season in the last 12, and will likely extend that streak another season.
Seniors Wes Lasher (6-2) and Brandon Croft (6-4) lead a Cardinal squad that appear to be the only team in the Fifth District that can match Lyon County’s height.
Guards Josh Wiggins and Dakota Dickerson also return for Livingston Central.
Second Region Players to Watch
1. Scotty Hopson (6-6, Sr.) – University Heights – Can be an explosive player on both sides of the basketball if he can overcome spells of transparency.
2. Jon Hood (6-7, Jr.) – Madisonville – Versatile player that can play inside, outside, and get in your grill on defense.
3. Tyshawn Edmonson (6-4, Sr.) – University Heights – Shoots the ball well and can take it to the rim as well.
4. Darnell Moore (6-6, Sr.) – Madisonville – Region’s top inside presence.
5. Josh Terry (6-3, Sr.) – Henderson County – Blue-collar worker that will be the centerpiece of Henderson’s new offense.
6. Shaquille Wilson (6-5, Soph.) – Christian County – Should have a breakout season in 2007-08.
7. Darnell Davis (6-4, Soph.) – Hopkinsville – Should become one of the region’s top inside players this year.
8. Chuck Jones (6-8, Jr.) – Hopkins Central – Nice inside-outside offensive player
9. Jonathon King (6-4, Jr.) – Trigg County – Streak shooter that should be improved on defense this year.
10. Jake Pepper (6-2, Sr.) – Caldwell County – Will see much of the scoring load fall on his shoulders this year.
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
Madisonville (22-10) – The Maroons are looking for their first region title in seven years and have a pair of Division-I prospects leading the way.
Junior Jon Hood (6-6) averaged 18 points and 6.7 rebounds as a sophomore for a Maroon squad that was beaten by Christian County in the semifinals of the region tournament.
Hood is getting plenty of college looks after a successful summer on the AAU circuit. Ole Miss, Western Kentucky, and Georgia are among the suitors for Hood.
6-7 senior Darnell Moore averaged 15 points and 11.6 rebounds last year and provides an aggressive inside presence for Madisonville.
Head coach James Davis also has 6-3 forward Caleb Nelson and 6-2 transfer Luke Menser, who sat out last year after playing at Hopkins County Central as a sophomore.
Madisonville will have one of the deeper teams in the region, which should be enough for them to survive challenges from University Heights and Christian County.
University Heights (13-14) – The Blazers had some of the region’s best talent last year, but it didn’t translate into success on the court. As a result, UHA was bounced from the district tournament in the first round and suffered through the school’s first losing season in four years.
Former Pikeville College head coach Randy McCoy was hired to lead the Blazers. His staff includes former Graham head coach and Trigg County athletic director Taylor Sparks.
McCoy’s primary duty will be to find some depth to accent Scotty Hopson and Tyshawn Edmonson.
The 6-7 Hopson is rated among the nation’s best seniors, although his consistency has been questioned throughout his career. Hopson had committed to play at Mississippi State before last year but did not sign in November, instead putting off his college decision until after the season.
Hopson averaged 17.8 points a game last year and is among the best at taking the basketball to the rim.
Edmonson, a 6-4 senior guard, often gets overlooked because of Hopson, but has proven to be a valuable player on both sides of the basketball.
Guards Marcus Reeves and DaQuan Brown should see plenty of time in the backcourt and allow McCoy to move Edmonson to a forward spot.
However, McCoy’s roster only has seven upperclassmen, no sophomores, and 12 freshman and eighth graders. If he can’t find some depth to counter foul trouble by the starters, then the Blazers will have a tough time making it out of the Eighth District again this year.
Christian County (28-5) – Despite losing four of their top five scorers from last year’s region title team, Colonel head coach Kerry Stovall expects to have a team ready to challenge for their third straight region title.
6-4 sophomore Shaquille Wilson came off the bench to score 6.7 points and shoot 36-percent from 3-point range.
DeCorrian Romero (5-11, Sr.) and junior Corey Wilford (4.6 ppg.) should settle into backcourt roles for Stovall, who lost potential starter Russell Dillard when his family moved to Louisville.
Malcolm McDuffen (6-3, Soph.) and DaQuan Murden (6-3, Jr.) give the Colonels a little size on the inside and should see their playing time increase dramatically.
Don’t be surprised to see the Colonels surprise some teams and advance to Rupp Arena again this year.
Hopkinsville (19-12) – First-year head coach Jim Simmons came in from Graves County and managed 19 wins with a tough-love attitude.
With a full season and summer to adjust to Simmons’ style, the Tigers should challenge Christian County and UHA in the always-tough Eighth District.
Darnell Davis (6-4, Soph.) and Karlos Thompson (6-6, Sr.) feature the size to challenge both Madisonville and UHA.
Simmons will need big seasons from his guards Dominque McDonald and DeMarcus Carter if the Tigers are to advance out of the district and repeat last year’s success.
Henderson County (24-6) – Henderson County lost four starters and their head coach from a team that lost in the region championship for the fifth time in six years.
Former Johnson Central head coach Mark Starns takes over at Henderson County and will try and build around 6-3 senior Josh Terry, who averaged 13 points and seven rebounds a game last year.
Jacob Powell and Coleman Tramill will join Terry on the frontline.
Guard Ben Patterson, Andy Adkins, a 6-5 center, and sophomore Brock Stone should all see time in Starns’ pressing style of offense.
As usual, Henderson is expected to have depth on the bench, especially at the guard position.
Hopkins County Central (14-16) – Hopkins Central should feature the region’s tallest frontcourt with 6-8 bookends Chuck Jones and Dan Croft. Jones is the more versatile, able to step out and knock down the long jumper as he did last year in scoring 12 points a game. He’ll need to grab more than five rebounds a game this year.
Juniors Kelsey Bowman and Corey Coble run the backcourt and should make the Storm competitive in the Seventh District.
Webster County (15-15) – Webster County got hot at the right time, nearly knocking off Henderson County in the district title game and advancing to the region tournament.
Third-year head coach Bev Hart has a junior-dominated squad that could surprise again in a Sixth District hit hard by graduation and coaching changes.
Labrice Williams (6-2, Jr.) is the top returning scorer at nine points a game, while 6-4 junior Drew Dement averaged six points and five rebounds last year.
They are two of four juniors expected to start for the Trojans.
Fort Campbell (8-17) – Fort Campbell’s long run in the football playoffs will have an effect on the Falcons’ early season success.
That is coupled with the loss of 11 players from last year’s 8-17 team, including five that transferred off post.
Head coach Amy Sholar isn’t sure how many players will come over from the gridiron, but she knows she will have senior guard Robbie Townsend, who averaged 13.7 points a game last year.
Senior guard Branden Ward joins Townsend in the backcourt, while Raquan Durrante, Jermaine Irwin, and Olan Andrews will contribute for the Falcons this year.
Union County (8-19) – The Braves lost most of their scoring and head coach Bill Price, who retired after last season.
Shayne Carey, a college assistant for six years, a high school head coach for two and a high school assistant for four years, was hired to try and rebuild the Braves’ program.
Toraz Jones (5-8, Jr.) and Steven Waggener (5-10, Sr.) return in the backcourt, while Will Monsour (6-1, Sr.), Dustin Moore (5-10, Sr.), Travis Hurst (6-2, Jr.), and Brad Buchanan (6-1, Soph.) will all battle for time in the frontcourt.
Dawson Springs (5-21) – The community of Dawson Springs celebrated the election win of native son Steve Beshear to the office of governor. A month later, hopes are high the Panthers can bring the school their first winning season in nine years.
Ethan Scott (6-6, Jr.) averaged 13.2 points and 5.7 rebounds last year and presents a tough matchup for opposing defenses.
6-4 junior Aaron Duke led the Panthers in shooting last year and added five more boards in the paint.
Wes Mitchell (6-4, Jr.) gives the Panthers some more size inside, but head coach Wayne Simpson will need a solid season from his backcourt if they are to sniff .500.
Justin Jones (5-8, Jr.), Trevor Sewell (5-10, Sr.), and senior Kyle Chappell will compete for the starting guard spots.
Caldwell County (23-4) – Caldwell County will have to find a way to replace Matt Fraelix and his 33 points per game.
Head coach Michael Fraelix is looking for 6-3 senior Jake Pepper (12.1 ppg.) and 6-2 senior L.J. Wilson to pick up the scoring slack.
Tron Gray, Dee Boyd, and 6-6 junior Jared Choate will all see their roles increase this year as well as the Tigers fall victim to heavy graduation losses in an improved Seventh District.
Lyon County (4-21) – The Lyons are picked by many to win a Fifth District that appears as even as it has ever been.
Jeff Embrey moves over from Trigg County after a year and inherits a Lyons program that has won just nine games in three years.
In a district that is vertically challenged, Embrey has the luxury of being able to go 6-6, 6-6, and 6-5 across the front if he chooses.
Senior Eddie Smith and junior Ramsey Walker give the Lyons a pair of 6-6 inside players, combining for 18 points and 13 rebounds a game last year.
6-5 senior Eli Nickell will see his minutes increase this year as well.
6-2 junior Mitchell Peeler could prove to be the district’s most improved player, and will be joined in the backcourt by sophomore Timmy Perdue.
Trigg County (10-19) – When Jeff Embrey left for district rival Lyon County, the Wildcats turned to former coach Mike Wright to rebuild the program as he did 15 years earlier.
Wright, who has been coaching the middle school program for the past five years, has seen and coached many of the players he now has at the varsity level.
Junior guard Jonathon King averaged 14 points and 5.7 rebounds and had a busy summer that saw schools like Harvard, Duquesne, Murray State, and Tennessee Tech show some interest.
Jalik Alexander (6-0, Soph.) and Zeke Wright (6-1, Soph.) are two more returning starters for the Wildcats, who don’t have any seniors and no one over 6-2 on the roster.
Crittenden County (10-15) – Junior Gaige Courtney is one of the region’s more versatile players, able to play all five positions on the floor.
Unfortunately for Rockets head coach Rob Towery, he can’t play them all at the same time.
Guards Adam Hardin and Cody Holzer also return for Crittenden County, who will field a team of mostly underclassmen.
Livingston Central (11-16) – The Cardinals have had one winning season in the last 12, and will likely extend that streak another season.
Seniors Wes Lasher (6-2) and Brandon Croft (6-4) lead a Cardinal squad that appear to be the only team in the Fifth District that can match Lyon County’s height.
Guards Josh Wiggins and Dakota Dickerson also return for Livingston Central.
Second Region Players to Watch
1. Scotty Hopson (6-6, Sr.) – University Heights – Can be an explosive player on both sides of the basketball if he can overcome spells of transparency.
2. Jon Hood (6-7, Jr.) – Madisonville – Versatile player that can play inside, outside, and get in your grill on defense.
3. Tyshawn Edmonson (6-4, Sr.) – University Heights – Shoots the ball well and can take it to the rim as well.
4. Darnell Moore (6-6, Sr.) – Madisonville – Region’s top inside presence.
5. Josh Terry (6-3, Sr.) – Henderson County – Blue-collar worker that will be the centerpiece of Henderson’s new offense.
6. Shaquille Wilson (6-5, Soph.) – Christian County – Should have a breakout season in 2007-08.
7. Darnell Davis (6-4, Soph.) – Hopkinsville – Should become one of the region’s top inside players this year.
8. Chuck Jones (6-8, Jr.) – Hopkins Central – Nice inside-outside offensive player
9. Jonathon King (6-4, Jr.) – Trigg County – Streak shooter that should be improved on defense this year.
10. Jake Pepper (6-2, Sr.) – Caldwell County – Will see much of the scoring load fall on his shoulders this year.