The Scribe
11-25-2007, 05:46 PM
BGP Fourth Region Boys' Preview
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
1. Franklin-Simpson (19-13) - The Wildcats are a popular pick to unseat Warren Central’s stranglehold on the 4th Region. They have an experienced big man in Rayco Bryant, a 6-foot-5, senior center. They also have 6-8 junior Jim Murphree to give them the chance to be a dominating inside team.
The F-S backcourt is strong and experienced with Jordan Bell, Colby Clark and Cedrick Adams. This team could have the best starting five in the region.
2. Warren Central (30-5) - For the first time in five seasons the Dragons will not be the regional favorite. They have won six straight 4th Region titles, the 2004 state championship, made the championship game in 2005 and the semifinals in 2006. If they win a seventh straight regional crown, the Dragons would tie a state record.
A repeat would be tough after losing nearly all of its scoring and rebounding from last season. Scooter Lightfoot and Jordan Shanklin are good players to rebuild, or reload, around. Shanklin, a freshman, may develop into one of the best ever at Central.
3. Barren County (13-17) - The Trojans have Lee Hubbard to put with five other returning players. The 6-1 senior is one of the top players in the region and averaged 20 points and 8.5 rebounds a game.
4. Warren East (14-16)- The Raiders bring back four starters in a district that was hammered by graduation last year. Jordan Ellis, Demetric Ray and Deangelo Kirk all have four years of starting experience and that should help East become one of the best teams in the region.
5. Metcalfe County (13-14) - The Hornets were one of the early choices to have a chance to replace Warren Central as the regional champion.
Trey Shirley and Will Warf may be the best two players on the same team in the region. Shirley, a 6-4 forward, averaged 17 points a game. Warf averaged 13 points and eight rebounds a game. Their eight-man rotation might be the best in the region.
6. Bowling Green (18-12) - D.L. Moore is a big, strong 6-6 forward who can make the Purples a team capable of reaching the state tournament. Moore averaged 12.3 points and 10.1 rebounds a game last season and has Billie Williams and Jared Carpenter to work with.
7. Greenwood (25-9) - The Gators lost a bunch of players from last year’s regional runner-up. If Dee Anderson can come back from a knee injury, Greenwood could contend for the regional crown.
8. Allen County-Scottsville (25-6) - Jay Starks is considered the second-best player in this region, which is a good thing since the Patriots lost just about everybody else. Phillip Hayes is a 6-8 post player who should add some inside force for the Patriots.
9. Russellville (17-11) - The Panthers only bring back two starters, including Damion Elam who started at guard as an eighth-grader. Donnie Bigbee is a multi-sport standout at Russellville who should help the team with his athleticism.
10. Glasgow (8-20) - The Scotties could be the most improved team in the region. Charlie Mudd (5-11) has been a multi-year starter in the backcourt who averaged double figures in scoring last year. Will McCoy adds size at 6-5 and was also a starter.
11. Logan County (10-17) - The Cougars have a new coach (former Henderson County assistant coach Brandon Fisher) and lots of new players. They faded down the stretch last year and will struggle to be a factor in their district. Adam Haley can score around the basket.
12. Cumberland County (4-22) - There are some who think this team has a chance to improve dramatically over last season. Sophomore Cameron Stalcup and junior Kurtis Claywell both averaged scoring in double figures last year. The Patriots will have to find more weapons to go with them.
13. Clinton County (21-10) - This team reached the semifinals of the regional tournament last year, but will have to depend on juniors and sophomores to duplicate that success. Guards Storm Burchett, Dillon Flowers and Spencer Parrigan will give the Bulldogs some stability.
14. Todd County Central (9-20) - The Rebels struggled in a tough region last year. They earned two overtime victories and look to improve on that mark.
15. Russell County (16-13) - The Lakers might have a hard time reaching the regional tournament again because they lost a large group of seniors.
16. Monroe County (11-15) - Another team with little starting experience back. Senior Albin Rocha missed last season with an injury.
Fourth Region Players to Watch
1. Rayco Bryant, Franklin-Simpson, Sr., 6-5, C
2. Jay Starks, Allen County-Scottsville, Sr., 6-4, F
3. Trey Shirley, Metcalfe County, Sr. 6-4, F
4. Lee Hubbard, Barren County, Sr., 6-foot, G
5. D.L. Moore, Bowling Green, Sr., 6-6, F-C
6. Rondale McMillan, Bowling Green, Sr., 6-4, F
7. Dee Anderson, Greenwood, Sr., 6-1, G-F
8. Billy Williams, Bowling Green, Sr., 6-1, F
9. Courtney Dalcourt, Franklin-Simpson, Jr., 6-foot, G
10. Scooter Lightfoot, Warren Central, Jr. 6-3, F
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
1. Franklin-Simpson (19-13) - The Wildcats are a popular pick to unseat Warren Central’s stranglehold on the 4th Region. They have an experienced big man in Rayco Bryant, a 6-foot-5, senior center. They also have 6-8 junior Jim Murphree to give them the chance to be a dominating inside team.
The F-S backcourt is strong and experienced with Jordan Bell, Colby Clark and Cedrick Adams. This team could have the best starting five in the region.
2. Warren Central (30-5) - For the first time in five seasons the Dragons will not be the regional favorite. They have won six straight 4th Region titles, the 2004 state championship, made the championship game in 2005 and the semifinals in 2006. If they win a seventh straight regional crown, the Dragons would tie a state record.
A repeat would be tough after losing nearly all of its scoring and rebounding from last season. Scooter Lightfoot and Jordan Shanklin are good players to rebuild, or reload, around. Shanklin, a freshman, may develop into one of the best ever at Central.
3. Barren County (13-17) - The Trojans have Lee Hubbard to put with five other returning players. The 6-1 senior is one of the top players in the region and averaged 20 points and 8.5 rebounds a game.
4. Warren East (14-16)- The Raiders bring back four starters in a district that was hammered by graduation last year. Jordan Ellis, Demetric Ray and Deangelo Kirk all have four years of starting experience and that should help East become one of the best teams in the region.
5. Metcalfe County (13-14) - The Hornets were one of the early choices to have a chance to replace Warren Central as the regional champion.
Trey Shirley and Will Warf may be the best two players on the same team in the region. Shirley, a 6-4 forward, averaged 17 points a game. Warf averaged 13 points and eight rebounds a game. Their eight-man rotation might be the best in the region.
6. Bowling Green (18-12) - D.L. Moore is a big, strong 6-6 forward who can make the Purples a team capable of reaching the state tournament. Moore averaged 12.3 points and 10.1 rebounds a game last season and has Billie Williams and Jared Carpenter to work with.
7. Greenwood (25-9) - The Gators lost a bunch of players from last year’s regional runner-up. If Dee Anderson can come back from a knee injury, Greenwood could contend for the regional crown.
8. Allen County-Scottsville (25-6) - Jay Starks is considered the second-best player in this region, which is a good thing since the Patriots lost just about everybody else. Phillip Hayes is a 6-8 post player who should add some inside force for the Patriots.
9. Russellville (17-11) - The Panthers only bring back two starters, including Damion Elam who started at guard as an eighth-grader. Donnie Bigbee is a multi-sport standout at Russellville who should help the team with his athleticism.
10. Glasgow (8-20) - The Scotties could be the most improved team in the region. Charlie Mudd (5-11) has been a multi-year starter in the backcourt who averaged double figures in scoring last year. Will McCoy adds size at 6-5 and was also a starter.
11. Logan County (10-17) - The Cougars have a new coach (former Henderson County assistant coach Brandon Fisher) and lots of new players. They faded down the stretch last year and will struggle to be a factor in their district. Adam Haley can score around the basket.
12. Cumberland County (4-22) - There are some who think this team has a chance to improve dramatically over last season. Sophomore Cameron Stalcup and junior Kurtis Claywell both averaged scoring in double figures last year. The Patriots will have to find more weapons to go with them.
13. Clinton County (21-10) - This team reached the semifinals of the regional tournament last year, but will have to depend on juniors and sophomores to duplicate that success. Guards Storm Burchett, Dillon Flowers and Spencer Parrigan will give the Bulldogs some stability.
14. Todd County Central (9-20) - The Rebels struggled in a tough region last year. They earned two overtime victories and look to improve on that mark.
15. Russell County (16-13) - The Lakers might have a hard time reaching the regional tournament again because they lost a large group of seniors.
16. Monroe County (11-15) - Another team with little starting experience back. Senior Albin Rocha missed last season with an injury.
Fourth Region Players to Watch
1. Rayco Bryant, Franklin-Simpson, Sr., 6-5, C
2. Jay Starks, Allen County-Scottsville, Sr., 6-4, F
3. Trey Shirley, Metcalfe County, Sr. 6-4, F
4. Lee Hubbard, Barren County, Sr., 6-foot, G
5. D.L. Moore, Bowling Green, Sr., 6-6, F-C
6. Rondale McMillan, Bowling Green, Sr., 6-4, F
7. Dee Anderson, Greenwood, Sr., 6-1, G-F
8. Billy Williams, Bowling Green, Sr., 6-1, F
9. Courtney Dalcourt, Franklin-Simpson, Jr., 6-foot, G
10. Scooter Lightfoot, Warren Central, Jr. 6-3, F