The Scribe
11-25-2007, 08:04 PM
BGP Tenth Region Boys' Preview
BY PHILIP HAY
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
1. Mason County (28-3) After coming up short in the 10th region finals a year ago, the Royals look to get back to the big show. Mason will have a huge target on their back as they are rated the state’s top team in some polls.
Mr. Basketball candidate Darius Miller will again be the go to guy. He will not be the Royals only option as Trevor Setty and Russ Middleton will force teams to defend every position on the floor.
2. Montgomery County (22-8) Longtime coach Bart Rison hung up his whistle after last season. The Indians are now under the direction of head coach Keith Greisser and look to make big waves in the region.
Coach Greisser was an assistant at Scott County and will bring an exciting style of basketball with him. The play of Jordan Stephens will be a huge factor for the Indians. Junior Brandon Rash will also provide valuable minutes.
3. Clark County (26-8) Most generally you feel for a team that graduates two seniors that where the heart of your team. But the defending region champs were left far from bare in the talent department.
Robbie Stenzel will only be a freshman but will be an intregal part of the Cards success. But he will get plenty of help from Robert Hatton, Evan Bennett and to a degree Tatum Lewis.
4. Campbell County (14-14) Coach Scott Code moves from the number two chair at Bishop Brossart to the head chair at Campbell. There is not much doubt that Coach Code will bring the defensive approach to the game.
The only variable will be if the upperclassmen will buy into his system. If so the Camels will impress this year. Look for Patrick Nerl and Petey Albreight to lead the way.
5. Harrison County (14-17) Who says you can’t go home again? OK sort of. Mike Reitz is back on the hilltop after making stops at Clark and Campbell as he takes over the Breds. Reitz, the dean of 10th region coaches will bring his sly as a fox style back to Cynthiana.
Harrison County will need strong guard play to compete. The tallest player from a year ago was 6-4, so Fonze Custard and Jon Michael Reitz will have to play smart, hard nosed basketball. The return of Julius Talbott will also be a big help.
6. Scott (22-11) Scott kind of flew under everyone’s radar last season as they fell just a point short of upsetting Clark County in the region semifinals. Brad Carr’s Eagles will not have that luxury this year as region foes now know what to expect out of this gritty team.
Carr will have the Eagles ready to play hard night in and night out. A player to watch is Nikola Gilgoravich.
7. Saint Patrick (12-14) The Saints will look to Chris Owens to lead the way this year. Teams will not be able to forget about senior Nick Anderson, Stephen Mason and Matt Thompson.
The one thing that Saint Patrick lacks is a true post player. Thompson is listed at 6-3 but is most comfortable playing facing the basket. Coach Jason Hinson will have to bring the younger charges along slow.
8. Pendleton County (10-14) The Wildcats will have to replace Kane Belcher but are stocked with experience. Coach Chad Simms got many quality minutes out of Kyle Feeback, Doug Lambert, Richard Harden and Dillon Greene. This should be a team that will get it up and down the floor and play hard.
If Coach Simms can develop a bench then this will be an interesting team to watch.
9. Bishop Brossart (28-5) Mike Code has been masterful with the Mustangs, but will have to replace his top eight from a year ago. The junior varsity team ended last year at 13-9, so they know how to win without a doubt. Plus the formula will not change for Bishop Brossart.
Hard nose play on both ends of the floor and smart basketball. Brossart will take some lumps early in the year, but if they jell then will be a team that will cause problems for opponents.
10. Deming (13-6) Coach Jamey Johnson lost Travis Massey to graduation but will have Caleb Curtis and twins Kyle and Luke King back to build on.
The Devils will again play hard night in and night out. Post play could be a huge factor for Deming. The guards are there, but inside help is a mystery.
11. Augusta (12-16) What can you say about the job Robin Kelsch has done at Augusta? After making back to back appearances in the region tournament the Panthers will be in a semi rebuilding mode this year after losing three starters to graduation.
Dustin Staggs, Shawn White and Chris Mofford will help with the minutes this trio logged last season.
12. Calvary Christian (8-17) After paying their dues the past couple of seasons the Cougars could reap the benefits this season. Calvary has played with a young lineup the past two seasons but will have players that have played quality minutes. Tyler Baker will be a player to watch.
13. Bourbon County (2-24) The first year for coach Mike Flynn went worse for the Colonels than expected. Bourbon lost 6 seniors from a year ago and will have to look to Nick Sosby and Matt Wigglesworth for leadership.
If the faithful can be patient at Bourbon, Flynn will get this ship righted.
14. Bracken County (16-13) With only one starter back from a year ago Coach Jay Fite will have is work cut out for him. The biggest shoes to fill will be at the point where Jesse Hall held down. In inside strength of Tyler Hamilton will also be missed.
Fite will have to build this team from the ground up and bring them along as the season progresses.
15. Nicholas County (5-22) The Bluejackets graduated five seniors from a year ago and will look at their younger players for big minutes. Tyler Rose, Alex Florence and Jonathan Mattox will be the players to watch.
16. Paris (10-17) Anytime a team loses 7 players to graduation it hurts. But when you compound that with being a small school then things can get really rough. That is what the Greyhounds will be looking at this season. If the Hounds can use their athleticism they should be able to stay in most games.
17. Sliver Grove (20-9) The Trains will have to replace arguably the best player in school history in Cory Pelle. Top that off with losing unsung player Teddy Wiseman then you are talking about a long year for new coach Matt Sharp.
10th Region Players to Watch
1. Darius Miller – Mason County - The future Kentucky Wildcat is almost unselfish to a fault. He could take over games in the blink of an eye but plays team basketball. Miller averaged 19 points and 8 rebounds a game last season. Look for those numbers to improve.
2. Trevor Setty – Mason County - Setty benefits from playing on a team that has a Mr. Basketball candidate. But the long lean senior can more than hold his own. Setty would have no problems being a star on any team.
3. Russ Middleton – Mason County - The junior will be looked at to provide valuable leadership. After suffering from injury as a freshman, the Georgetown College signee will play hard in the front court and be able to step out and play facing the basket with ease.
4. Chris Owens – Saint Patrick - Owens is a sneaky type player. At fist glance you might think he is not that talented, but he just finds a way to score and carries the Saints at times. Owens averaged 24 point a game a year ago.
5. Robbie Stenzel – Clark County - Last season as an 8th grader Stenzel played a huge roll. Teams will key on him more this season, but the now freshman will look to improve on his 6 points and 3 rebounds a game. He has proven that he is battle tested.
6. Jordan Stephens – Montgomery County - The big fellow has not peaked yet. The 6-7 senior will have big expectations and could make a huge impact on the region.
7. Julius Talbott – Harrison County - Talbott did not play a year ago but with the return of Reitz he has decided to make a return to the hardwood. It will be seen if the year away hurt.
8. Joe Flanigan – Calvary Christian - Flanigan will give much needed leadership to the Cougars. He has shown continued improvement.
9. Josh Clark – Montgomery County - The 6-3 senior will give the Indians an additional weapon to go along with Stephens. Clark plays extremely hard and will be a huge asset.
10. Dustin Staggs – Augusta - Staggs is a deceptive player. At first glance he is not impressive. But if teams give him an open look he will burn defenses.<!-- / message -->
BY PHILIP HAY
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
1. Mason County (28-3) After coming up short in the 10th region finals a year ago, the Royals look to get back to the big show. Mason will have a huge target on their back as they are rated the state’s top team in some polls.
Mr. Basketball candidate Darius Miller will again be the go to guy. He will not be the Royals only option as Trevor Setty and Russ Middleton will force teams to defend every position on the floor.
2. Montgomery County (22-8) Longtime coach Bart Rison hung up his whistle after last season. The Indians are now under the direction of head coach Keith Greisser and look to make big waves in the region.
Coach Greisser was an assistant at Scott County and will bring an exciting style of basketball with him. The play of Jordan Stephens will be a huge factor for the Indians. Junior Brandon Rash will also provide valuable minutes.
3. Clark County (26-8) Most generally you feel for a team that graduates two seniors that where the heart of your team. But the defending region champs were left far from bare in the talent department.
Robbie Stenzel will only be a freshman but will be an intregal part of the Cards success. But he will get plenty of help from Robert Hatton, Evan Bennett and to a degree Tatum Lewis.
4. Campbell County (14-14) Coach Scott Code moves from the number two chair at Bishop Brossart to the head chair at Campbell. There is not much doubt that Coach Code will bring the defensive approach to the game.
The only variable will be if the upperclassmen will buy into his system. If so the Camels will impress this year. Look for Patrick Nerl and Petey Albreight to lead the way.
5. Harrison County (14-17) Who says you can’t go home again? OK sort of. Mike Reitz is back on the hilltop after making stops at Clark and Campbell as he takes over the Breds. Reitz, the dean of 10th region coaches will bring his sly as a fox style back to Cynthiana.
Harrison County will need strong guard play to compete. The tallest player from a year ago was 6-4, so Fonze Custard and Jon Michael Reitz will have to play smart, hard nosed basketball. The return of Julius Talbott will also be a big help.
6. Scott (22-11) Scott kind of flew under everyone’s radar last season as they fell just a point short of upsetting Clark County in the region semifinals. Brad Carr’s Eagles will not have that luxury this year as region foes now know what to expect out of this gritty team.
Carr will have the Eagles ready to play hard night in and night out. A player to watch is Nikola Gilgoravich.
7. Saint Patrick (12-14) The Saints will look to Chris Owens to lead the way this year. Teams will not be able to forget about senior Nick Anderson, Stephen Mason and Matt Thompson.
The one thing that Saint Patrick lacks is a true post player. Thompson is listed at 6-3 but is most comfortable playing facing the basket. Coach Jason Hinson will have to bring the younger charges along slow.
8. Pendleton County (10-14) The Wildcats will have to replace Kane Belcher but are stocked with experience. Coach Chad Simms got many quality minutes out of Kyle Feeback, Doug Lambert, Richard Harden and Dillon Greene. This should be a team that will get it up and down the floor and play hard.
If Coach Simms can develop a bench then this will be an interesting team to watch.
9. Bishop Brossart (28-5) Mike Code has been masterful with the Mustangs, but will have to replace his top eight from a year ago. The junior varsity team ended last year at 13-9, so they know how to win without a doubt. Plus the formula will not change for Bishop Brossart.
Hard nose play on both ends of the floor and smart basketball. Brossart will take some lumps early in the year, but if they jell then will be a team that will cause problems for opponents.
10. Deming (13-6) Coach Jamey Johnson lost Travis Massey to graduation but will have Caleb Curtis and twins Kyle and Luke King back to build on.
The Devils will again play hard night in and night out. Post play could be a huge factor for Deming. The guards are there, but inside help is a mystery.
11. Augusta (12-16) What can you say about the job Robin Kelsch has done at Augusta? After making back to back appearances in the region tournament the Panthers will be in a semi rebuilding mode this year after losing three starters to graduation.
Dustin Staggs, Shawn White and Chris Mofford will help with the minutes this trio logged last season.
12. Calvary Christian (8-17) After paying their dues the past couple of seasons the Cougars could reap the benefits this season. Calvary has played with a young lineup the past two seasons but will have players that have played quality minutes. Tyler Baker will be a player to watch.
13. Bourbon County (2-24) The first year for coach Mike Flynn went worse for the Colonels than expected. Bourbon lost 6 seniors from a year ago and will have to look to Nick Sosby and Matt Wigglesworth for leadership.
If the faithful can be patient at Bourbon, Flynn will get this ship righted.
14. Bracken County (16-13) With only one starter back from a year ago Coach Jay Fite will have is work cut out for him. The biggest shoes to fill will be at the point where Jesse Hall held down. In inside strength of Tyler Hamilton will also be missed.
Fite will have to build this team from the ground up and bring them along as the season progresses.
15. Nicholas County (5-22) The Bluejackets graduated five seniors from a year ago and will look at their younger players for big minutes. Tyler Rose, Alex Florence and Jonathan Mattox will be the players to watch.
16. Paris (10-17) Anytime a team loses 7 players to graduation it hurts. But when you compound that with being a small school then things can get really rough. That is what the Greyhounds will be looking at this season. If the Hounds can use their athleticism they should be able to stay in most games.
17. Sliver Grove (20-9) The Trains will have to replace arguably the best player in school history in Cory Pelle. Top that off with losing unsung player Teddy Wiseman then you are talking about a long year for new coach Matt Sharp.
10th Region Players to Watch
1. Darius Miller – Mason County - The future Kentucky Wildcat is almost unselfish to a fault. He could take over games in the blink of an eye but plays team basketball. Miller averaged 19 points and 8 rebounds a game last season. Look for those numbers to improve.
2. Trevor Setty – Mason County - Setty benefits from playing on a team that has a Mr. Basketball candidate. But the long lean senior can more than hold his own. Setty would have no problems being a star on any team.
3. Russ Middleton – Mason County - The junior will be looked at to provide valuable leadership. After suffering from injury as a freshman, the Georgetown College signee will play hard in the front court and be able to step out and play facing the basket with ease.
4. Chris Owens – Saint Patrick - Owens is a sneaky type player. At fist glance you might think he is not that talented, but he just finds a way to score and carries the Saints at times. Owens averaged 24 point a game a year ago.
5. Robbie Stenzel – Clark County - Last season as an 8th grader Stenzel played a huge roll. Teams will key on him more this season, but the now freshman will look to improve on his 6 points and 3 rebounds a game. He has proven that he is battle tested.
6. Jordan Stephens – Montgomery County - The big fellow has not peaked yet. The 6-7 senior will have big expectations and could make a huge impact on the region.
7. Julius Talbott – Harrison County - Talbott did not play a year ago but with the return of Reitz he has decided to make a return to the hardwood. It will be seen if the year away hurt.
8. Joe Flanigan – Calvary Christian - Flanigan will give much needed leadership to the Cougars. He has shown continued improvement.
9. Josh Clark – Montgomery County - The 6-3 senior will give the Indians an additional weapon to go along with Stephens. Clark plays extremely hard and will be a huge asset.
10. Dustin Staggs – Augusta - Staggs is a deceptive player. At first glance he is not impressive. But if teams give him an open look he will burn defenses.<!-- / message -->