The Scribe
11-25-2007, 10:31 PM
BGP 14th Region Boys' Preview
By JOSH CLAYWELL
The (Elizabethtown) News-Enterprise
Does June Buchanan have what it takes to repeat as champions in the 14th Region?
With senior Clark Stepp leading the way, and after being picked by many media outlets across the state to repeat, it’s easy to see that the Crusaders do.
June Buchanan lost to Warren Central in the first round of the Sweet 16, but they probably wouldn’t have gotten that far without Stepp, who averaged 24.7 points, 6.5 assists and 5 rebounds per game a year ago.
1. June Buchanan (26-7). Also back for the Crusaders are sophomore Tate Cox (14 points, 4.5 rebounds per game), sophomore Clint Stepp (9 points), junior Garrison Collins (8.5 points, 6 rebounds), senior Trey Short (8.5 points, 6 rebounds), junior Brent Hall (5 points, 6 rebounds) and senior Joe Hall.
Clark and Clint Stepp, along with Cox, are 3-point specialists. Cox made nearly 43 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc, Clark Stepp made 36 percent and Clint Stepp made 38 percent.
If the 3-point shot isn’t there, the Crusaders can move the ball down low to Collins, Short, Brent Hall or Joe Hall.
JBS is trying to become the second team in the region to repeat as champions in the last five years (Perry County Central 2004-05).
2. Breathitt County (25-4). The Cats improved by leaps and bounds last year, going from just four wins in 2006 to 25 last year.
Breathitt County lost in the second round of the region tournament to June Buchanan, 84-63, but have to be considered one of the favorites to knock off the Crusaders this year and get back to the Sweet 16 for the first time in a dozen years.
The Cats are led by center Travis Smith (18 points, 9 rebounds) and guard Justin Hollon (23 points).
3. Hazard (25-9). The Bulldogs, under new coach Al Holland, return one of the region’s best players in forward Michael Campbell. Center Justin Jones is also back.
The other three starting positions still haven’t been decided. Junior Josh Kidd and junior Randy Lewis could man the point and wing, respectively, while forward Tyler Olinger, guard Josh Combs and Austin Delpont, Cory Martin and Alan Fugate could figure into the mix.
4. Perry County Central (20-8). First-year coach Allen Hatcher had success at Graves County and Marshall County -- taking both to the Sweet 16. Now, he will look to keep it flowing at Perry Central.
Jason Kelly (15 points, 6 rebounds), Demetric Travis, John Amis and Klay Maggard are among the key returnees for the Commodores.
Deron Amis, Eric Brock and Chris Noble all are in the mix for a starting spot.
5. Buckhorn (19-11). Buckhorn appears to be as balanced as ever on offense.
Center Zach Gay (16 points, 8 rebounds) and guards Andy Blank (17 points, 4 rebounds) and Kyle Mullins (4 points, 4 rebounds) are back to lead the way.
Senior Billy Deaton also returns, but the final starting spot is still up in the air between Jeremy Davis, Andrew Abbott, Eric Stidham, Dustin Caldwell and Adam Gay.
A favorable postseason draw could help the Wildcats get back to Rupp Arena for the first time in 19 years.
6. Knott County Central (13-15). The Patriots could be one of the region's most improved teams with the backcourt duo of sophomore Stuart Stamper (17 points, 4.5 rebounds) and junior Jarrod Amburgey (9 points, 7 rebounds) coming back.
The rest of the lineup could include Zack Mullins, Richard Campbell and either Josh Huff or Braxton Ratliff.
7. Letcher County Central (14-14). The Cougars may get off to a slow start thanks to a long postseason run by the football team.
Charlie Banks, who quarterbacked LCC to the region championship game, will again be the quarterback on the hardwood.
Devin Blair (12 points) is the only returning starter from last year in a lineup that will include center Eric Ison, forward Jordan Reynolds and guard Malachi Longworth.
Josh Proffitt will also play a key role.
8. Estill County (12-18). The Engineers return four starters off last year’s team, which lost to Powell County in the first round of the 56th District Tournament.
Blake Christopher (18.1 points, 5 assists), Tristan Cackling (11.5 points, 4.9 as-sists), Chris Hoover (7.9 points) and Josh Napier (5.5 points) are the returning starters.
A trio of juniors, Clay Baber, Trey Wiseman and Derrick Norton, will compete for the starting job at center.
9. Lee County (14-11). The Bobcats must replace five starters after being picked by many to win the region title last year.
Aaron Charles (5 points, 3 rebounds) and Josh Drake (2 points) are the only returning players with varsity experience.
10. Powell County (19-11). The Pirates graduated 10 seniors last year and are in a rebuilding mode.
Senior Daniel Kincer (12 points) is the only returning starter, while senior Jeremy Banks (8 points, 3 rebounds) played a key reserve role last year.
11. Cordia (7-20). The Lions return five starters, led by senior Zach Hurt, who averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Also back for Cordia are Josh Taylor (13 points, 8 rebounds), Josh Mosley (11 points), Eric Combs (10 points, 5 rebounds) and Tyler Noble (6 points, 8 rebounds) all return.
Other returnees include Tyler Slone, Sean Owens and Ricky Wooten.
12. Jackson City (9-17). A year after making it to the region championship, the Tigers won just nine games last year and lost to Breathitt County in the first round of the 56th District Tournament.
The good news is the Tigers return four seniors – Drew Davidson, C.K. Howard, Aaron Jackson and Dustin Flinchum – from last year and will look to return to the success they found in 2005.
13. Jenkins (10-18). The Cavaliers came within two points of knocking eventual region champion June Buchanan, and hope to parlay that success into even more this year.
Jenkins returns starters Chris Puckett (19 points, 5 rebounds), Eric Grimm (5 points, 5 assists), Nathaniel Wilder (6 points, 5 rebounds) and Keith Wright. A trio of seniors – Stephen Stephens, Justin Hunsucker and Josh Potter – all are vying for the fifth starting spot.
14. Riverside Christian (9-20). Last season, the Rams saw improvement, tripling their win total for the year before.
Seniors Jason Napier (9 points, 6 rebounds), Joe Cross (4 points, 5.1 rebounds), David Poppy (7 points, 3 assists) and Colten Terry all return.
15. Leslie County (7-20). Graduation decimated the Eagles last year, and things don’t seem to be getting much better this year.
Senior Junior Browning, who averaged 5.5 points per game, is the team’s only returning starter.
16. Owsley County (6-22). The Owls are going through another transition season as Greg Parrett resigned as coach after just one year.
But Owsley does return four starters – Matt Wright, Adam McIntosh, Cameron Mainous and Jeremy Congleton.
17. Wolfe County (5-22). The Wolves return four starters – Preston Wilson, Brandon Campbell, Andrew Howard and Dylan Hayes – and are looking to avoid a third consecutive 20-loss season.
Devin Evans rounds out the lineup, while Chad Dickey and Devin Terrill could also challenge for a starting spot.
14th Region Players to Watch
Clark Stepp - June Buchanan
Zach Gay - Buckhorn
Tate Cox - June Buchanan
Michael Campbell - Hazard
Justin Hollon - Breathitt County
Travis Smith - Breathitt County
Chris Puckett - Jenkins
Zach Hurt - Cordia
Jason Kelly - Perry County Central
Andy Blank - Buckhorn
Drew Davidson - Jackson City
Blake Christopher - Estill County
By JOSH CLAYWELL
The (Elizabethtown) News-Enterprise
Does June Buchanan have what it takes to repeat as champions in the 14th Region?
With senior Clark Stepp leading the way, and after being picked by many media outlets across the state to repeat, it’s easy to see that the Crusaders do.
June Buchanan lost to Warren Central in the first round of the Sweet 16, but they probably wouldn’t have gotten that far without Stepp, who averaged 24.7 points, 6.5 assists and 5 rebounds per game a year ago.
1. June Buchanan (26-7). Also back for the Crusaders are sophomore Tate Cox (14 points, 4.5 rebounds per game), sophomore Clint Stepp (9 points), junior Garrison Collins (8.5 points, 6 rebounds), senior Trey Short (8.5 points, 6 rebounds), junior Brent Hall (5 points, 6 rebounds) and senior Joe Hall.
Clark and Clint Stepp, along with Cox, are 3-point specialists. Cox made nearly 43 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc, Clark Stepp made 36 percent and Clint Stepp made 38 percent.
If the 3-point shot isn’t there, the Crusaders can move the ball down low to Collins, Short, Brent Hall or Joe Hall.
JBS is trying to become the second team in the region to repeat as champions in the last five years (Perry County Central 2004-05).
2. Breathitt County (25-4). The Cats improved by leaps and bounds last year, going from just four wins in 2006 to 25 last year.
Breathitt County lost in the second round of the region tournament to June Buchanan, 84-63, but have to be considered one of the favorites to knock off the Crusaders this year and get back to the Sweet 16 for the first time in a dozen years.
The Cats are led by center Travis Smith (18 points, 9 rebounds) and guard Justin Hollon (23 points).
3. Hazard (25-9). The Bulldogs, under new coach Al Holland, return one of the region’s best players in forward Michael Campbell. Center Justin Jones is also back.
The other three starting positions still haven’t been decided. Junior Josh Kidd and junior Randy Lewis could man the point and wing, respectively, while forward Tyler Olinger, guard Josh Combs and Austin Delpont, Cory Martin and Alan Fugate could figure into the mix.
4. Perry County Central (20-8). First-year coach Allen Hatcher had success at Graves County and Marshall County -- taking both to the Sweet 16. Now, he will look to keep it flowing at Perry Central.
Jason Kelly (15 points, 6 rebounds), Demetric Travis, John Amis and Klay Maggard are among the key returnees for the Commodores.
Deron Amis, Eric Brock and Chris Noble all are in the mix for a starting spot.
5. Buckhorn (19-11). Buckhorn appears to be as balanced as ever on offense.
Center Zach Gay (16 points, 8 rebounds) and guards Andy Blank (17 points, 4 rebounds) and Kyle Mullins (4 points, 4 rebounds) are back to lead the way.
Senior Billy Deaton also returns, but the final starting spot is still up in the air between Jeremy Davis, Andrew Abbott, Eric Stidham, Dustin Caldwell and Adam Gay.
A favorable postseason draw could help the Wildcats get back to Rupp Arena for the first time in 19 years.
6. Knott County Central (13-15). The Patriots could be one of the region's most improved teams with the backcourt duo of sophomore Stuart Stamper (17 points, 4.5 rebounds) and junior Jarrod Amburgey (9 points, 7 rebounds) coming back.
The rest of the lineup could include Zack Mullins, Richard Campbell and either Josh Huff or Braxton Ratliff.
7. Letcher County Central (14-14). The Cougars may get off to a slow start thanks to a long postseason run by the football team.
Charlie Banks, who quarterbacked LCC to the region championship game, will again be the quarterback on the hardwood.
Devin Blair (12 points) is the only returning starter from last year in a lineup that will include center Eric Ison, forward Jordan Reynolds and guard Malachi Longworth.
Josh Proffitt will also play a key role.
8. Estill County (12-18). The Engineers return four starters off last year’s team, which lost to Powell County in the first round of the 56th District Tournament.
Blake Christopher (18.1 points, 5 assists), Tristan Cackling (11.5 points, 4.9 as-sists), Chris Hoover (7.9 points) and Josh Napier (5.5 points) are the returning starters.
A trio of juniors, Clay Baber, Trey Wiseman and Derrick Norton, will compete for the starting job at center.
9. Lee County (14-11). The Bobcats must replace five starters after being picked by many to win the region title last year.
Aaron Charles (5 points, 3 rebounds) and Josh Drake (2 points) are the only returning players with varsity experience.
10. Powell County (19-11). The Pirates graduated 10 seniors last year and are in a rebuilding mode.
Senior Daniel Kincer (12 points) is the only returning starter, while senior Jeremy Banks (8 points, 3 rebounds) played a key reserve role last year.
11. Cordia (7-20). The Lions return five starters, led by senior Zach Hurt, who averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Also back for Cordia are Josh Taylor (13 points, 8 rebounds), Josh Mosley (11 points), Eric Combs (10 points, 5 rebounds) and Tyler Noble (6 points, 8 rebounds) all return.
Other returnees include Tyler Slone, Sean Owens and Ricky Wooten.
12. Jackson City (9-17). A year after making it to the region championship, the Tigers won just nine games last year and lost to Breathitt County in the first round of the 56th District Tournament.
The good news is the Tigers return four seniors – Drew Davidson, C.K. Howard, Aaron Jackson and Dustin Flinchum – from last year and will look to return to the success they found in 2005.
13. Jenkins (10-18). The Cavaliers came within two points of knocking eventual region champion June Buchanan, and hope to parlay that success into even more this year.
Jenkins returns starters Chris Puckett (19 points, 5 rebounds), Eric Grimm (5 points, 5 assists), Nathaniel Wilder (6 points, 5 rebounds) and Keith Wright. A trio of seniors – Stephen Stephens, Justin Hunsucker and Josh Potter – all are vying for the fifth starting spot.
14. Riverside Christian (9-20). Last season, the Rams saw improvement, tripling their win total for the year before.
Seniors Jason Napier (9 points, 6 rebounds), Joe Cross (4 points, 5.1 rebounds), David Poppy (7 points, 3 assists) and Colten Terry all return.
15. Leslie County (7-20). Graduation decimated the Eagles last year, and things don’t seem to be getting much better this year.
Senior Junior Browning, who averaged 5.5 points per game, is the team’s only returning starter.
16. Owsley County (6-22). The Owls are going through another transition season as Greg Parrett resigned as coach after just one year.
But Owsley does return four starters – Matt Wright, Adam McIntosh, Cameron Mainous and Jeremy Congleton.
17. Wolfe County (5-22). The Wolves return four starters – Preston Wilson, Brandon Campbell, Andrew Howard and Dylan Hayes – and are looking to avoid a third consecutive 20-loss season.
Devin Evans rounds out the lineup, while Chad Dickey and Devin Terrill could also challenge for a starting spot.
14th Region Players to Watch
Clark Stepp - June Buchanan
Zach Gay - Buckhorn
Tate Cox - June Buchanan
Michael Campbell - Hazard
Justin Hollon - Breathitt County
Travis Smith - Breathitt County
Chris Puckett - Jenkins
Zach Hurt - Cordia
Jason Kelly - Perry County Central
Andy Blank - Buckhorn
Drew Davidson - Jackson City
Blake Christopher - Estill County