The Scribe
11-25-2007, 09:38 PM
BGP 16th Region Boys' Preview
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
Sandy Hook is buzzing with excitement for the defending 16th Region champion Elliott County Lions. The Lions return all five starters from last year’s historic championship team. Ashland, Rose Hill, and a slew of other teams are looking to challenge the Lions for the 2008 ticket to Rupp Arena.
1. ELLIOTT COUNTY- Coach Rick Mays, the dean of region coaches, returns a stable of offensive weapons to defend their 2007 region title.
The junior trio of Jonathon Ferguson, Ethan Faulkner, and Evan Faulkner have loads of experience and scoring ability. Freshman Timmy Knipp, who drawn early interest from UK, has big-time potential and will be maturing as the season progresses.
Tyler Maynard provides deadly three-point shooting off the Lion bench. The road to Rupp Arena will definitely go through Sandy Hook.
2. ASHLAND- Matt Thomas, a multi-talented senior, hopes to lead the Tomcats back to region glory. Year two of Buddyball, under coach Buddy Biggs, should provide excitement for Tomcat fans.
Danny Coleman and Ryan Bonner should give Ashland a potent inside-outside punch to compliment Thomas.
3. ROSE HILL- The young Royals, under coach Tim Fraley, seem poised for a breakthrough season. Dakotah Euton and Chad Jackson are two super sophs worth the price of admission.
Micheal Fuller leads an unproven supporting cast that will be vital for the Royals this season.
4. RACELAND- Rookie head coach Scott Floyd inherits a talented Rams squad from long-time boss Shawn Johnson. Talented big man Jacob Sparks can score both in the paint and on the perimeter.
Tyler Boyles provides scoring and athleticism for the team tabbed as the 63rd District favorite.
5. EAST CARTER- The Raiders, a possession away from the region finals a year ago, return several key players. Drew Johnson and Tyler Jackson provide scoring and leadership along with post man Ryan Seagraves.
Things are looking good for coach Brandon Baker in Grayson this winter.
6. FAIRVIEW- Veteran coach Rex Cooksey hopes sophomore guards Caleb Collins and Cameron Hall can lead the Eagles back to Morehead.
Daniel Armstrong will provide power in the paint for the boys from Westwood. The Eagles play in the rugged 64th district with Ashland, Rose Hill, and Boyd County.
7. WEST CARTER- Coach Jeremy Webb returns a balanced team led by center Chris Barker. A balanced attack will spur the Comets and watch out for freshman Aaron Rayburn to be a future star.
8. BOYD COUNTY- 16th Region coaching legend Roger Zornes returns to the sidelines for the Lions. Justin Selby is an automatic double-double in the paint for the Lions. C.D. Mayhew has the ability to be a top guard in the region. The Lion faithful hope Zornes can bring back the 90’s glory to the Boyd County program.
9. LEWIS COUNTY- Coach Joe Hampton, known as Mr. march, returns a deep team of shooters and defenders. Frankie Witten will lead the three-point brigade along with J.T. Britt, Jeremy Lykins, and Jesse Enix.
Look for sophomore Terence Smith to get better and better for the Lions as the season progresses.
10. BATH COUNTY- Former Greenup County coach Jim Hicks takes over a resurgent Wildcat program. Zac Metz and Brandon Clemons are two of the region’s most talented athletes. The Wildcats could very well be the favorite in the 61st District.
11. MORGAN COUNTY- Defense and hard work will be the keys for coach Matt Perry’s Cougars. The Cougars, coming off an uncharacteristic losing campaign, have a balanced attack and relentless defense. Guards Logan may and sharpshooter Cameron Dunn will be complimented by the inside play of a solid group of post players
12. ROWAN COUNTY- Coach Don Daniel faces the tough task of replacing his scoring son Matthew. Center Blake Pettit can hopefully erase some of the offensive woes. The addition of Justin Brockman should bolster the Viking backcourt.
13. GREENUP COUNTY-New boss Chad Leach brings a run-and-gun attack to Lloyd. Justin Middleton is deadly from the perimeter and will be relied on heavily for scoring. Multi-talented Eric Craft and the addition of big man Seth Perry brings hope to the Musketeer faithful.
14. RUSSELL- The Devils must replace a first team All-Stater and a bevy of seniors from last year’s talented squad. Coach Steve Dodd will depend heavily on the talents of swingman Jacob Ferguson.
A solid group of sophomores will have to grow up quickly for the Red Devils.
15. FLEMING COUNTY- The Panthers continue their transition to the 16th Region. Coach Brad Frazier hopes year two of his system will provide more wins in Flemingsburg.
16. MENIFEE COUNTY- The revolving coaching carousel in Frenchburg now has Justin Moore at the helm. He hopes to energize the dormant Wildcat program with his youth and enthusiasm.
16th Region Players to Watch
Ethan Faulkner-Elliott County
Dakotah Euton-Rose Hill
Jonathon Ferguson-Elliott County
Matt Thomas-Ashland
Chad Jackson-Rose Hill
Jacob Sparks-Raceland
Justin Selby-Boyd County
Drew Johnson-East Carter
Evan Faulkner-Elliott County
Timmy Knipp-Elliott County
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
Sandy Hook is buzzing with excitement for the defending 16th Region champion Elliott County Lions. The Lions return all five starters from last year’s historic championship team. Ashland, Rose Hill, and a slew of other teams are looking to challenge the Lions for the 2008 ticket to Rupp Arena.
1. ELLIOTT COUNTY- Coach Rick Mays, the dean of region coaches, returns a stable of offensive weapons to defend their 2007 region title.
The junior trio of Jonathon Ferguson, Ethan Faulkner, and Evan Faulkner have loads of experience and scoring ability. Freshman Timmy Knipp, who drawn early interest from UK, has big-time potential and will be maturing as the season progresses.
Tyler Maynard provides deadly three-point shooting off the Lion bench. The road to Rupp Arena will definitely go through Sandy Hook.
2. ASHLAND- Matt Thomas, a multi-talented senior, hopes to lead the Tomcats back to region glory. Year two of Buddyball, under coach Buddy Biggs, should provide excitement for Tomcat fans.
Danny Coleman and Ryan Bonner should give Ashland a potent inside-outside punch to compliment Thomas.
3. ROSE HILL- The young Royals, under coach Tim Fraley, seem poised for a breakthrough season. Dakotah Euton and Chad Jackson are two super sophs worth the price of admission.
Micheal Fuller leads an unproven supporting cast that will be vital for the Royals this season.
4. RACELAND- Rookie head coach Scott Floyd inherits a talented Rams squad from long-time boss Shawn Johnson. Talented big man Jacob Sparks can score both in the paint and on the perimeter.
Tyler Boyles provides scoring and athleticism for the team tabbed as the 63rd District favorite.
5. EAST CARTER- The Raiders, a possession away from the region finals a year ago, return several key players. Drew Johnson and Tyler Jackson provide scoring and leadership along with post man Ryan Seagraves.
Things are looking good for coach Brandon Baker in Grayson this winter.
6. FAIRVIEW- Veteran coach Rex Cooksey hopes sophomore guards Caleb Collins and Cameron Hall can lead the Eagles back to Morehead.
Daniel Armstrong will provide power in the paint for the boys from Westwood. The Eagles play in the rugged 64th district with Ashland, Rose Hill, and Boyd County.
7. WEST CARTER- Coach Jeremy Webb returns a balanced team led by center Chris Barker. A balanced attack will spur the Comets and watch out for freshman Aaron Rayburn to be a future star.
8. BOYD COUNTY- 16th Region coaching legend Roger Zornes returns to the sidelines for the Lions. Justin Selby is an automatic double-double in the paint for the Lions. C.D. Mayhew has the ability to be a top guard in the region. The Lion faithful hope Zornes can bring back the 90’s glory to the Boyd County program.
9. LEWIS COUNTY- Coach Joe Hampton, known as Mr. march, returns a deep team of shooters and defenders. Frankie Witten will lead the three-point brigade along with J.T. Britt, Jeremy Lykins, and Jesse Enix.
Look for sophomore Terence Smith to get better and better for the Lions as the season progresses.
10. BATH COUNTY- Former Greenup County coach Jim Hicks takes over a resurgent Wildcat program. Zac Metz and Brandon Clemons are two of the region’s most talented athletes. The Wildcats could very well be the favorite in the 61st District.
11. MORGAN COUNTY- Defense and hard work will be the keys for coach Matt Perry’s Cougars. The Cougars, coming off an uncharacteristic losing campaign, have a balanced attack and relentless defense. Guards Logan may and sharpshooter Cameron Dunn will be complimented by the inside play of a solid group of post players
12. ROWAN COUNTY- Coach Don Daniel faces the tough task of replacing his scoring son Matthew. Center Blake Pettit can hopefully erase some of the offensive woes. The addition of Justin Brockman should bolster the Viking backcourt.
13. GREENUP COUNTY-New boss Chad Leach brings a run-and-gun attack to Lloyd. Justin Middleton is deadly from the perimeter and will be relied on heavily for scoring. Multi-talented Eric Craft and the addition of big man Seth Perry brings hope to the Musketeer faithful.
14. RUSSELL- The Devils must replace a first team All-Stater and a bevy of seniors from last year’s talented squad. Coach Steve Dodd will depend heavily on the talents of swingman Jacob Ferguson.
A solid group of sophomores will have to grow up quickly for the Red Devils.
15. FLEMING COUNTY- The Panthers continue their transition to the 16th Region. Coach Brad Frazier hopes year two of his system will provide more wins in Flemingsburg.
16. MENIFEE COUNTY- The revolving coaching carousel in Frenchburg now has Justin Moore at the helm. He hopes to energize the dormant Wildcat program with his youth and enthusiasm.
16th Region Players to Watch
Ethan Faulkner-Elliott County
Dakotah Euton-Rose Hill
Jonathon Ferguson-Elliott County
Matt Thomas-Ashland
Chad Jackson-Rose Hill
Jacob Sparks-Raceland
Justin Selby-Boyd County
Drew Johnson-East Carter
Evan Faulkner-Elliott County
Timmy Knipp-Elliott County