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The Scribe
11-26-2007, 01:04 AM
Seniors and Underclassmen to Watch in the 2007-2008 Season


© 2007 Ron Harrison

I don’t attempt to rate or rank players. However, here are some seniors across the state that should be fun to watch this season. These players are listed in alphabetical order, not ranked. This is an abbreviated list and I could easily have added 25-50 names from all corners of the state.

Also, this list does not definitively claim to include the absolute best in the state but some of the best. Note: Players’ heights vary from source to source.

Seniors (Class of 2008)

Jesse Beavers (Nelson County) – 6-4 inside player gets the job done in the paint.

Aaron Boyd (Henry Clay) – 6-5 forward can score off the jump shot and can also get to the rim. Boyd is a star wide receiver on the gridiron.

Tyler Brown (Apollo) – 6-3 guard scores either off the drive or with his jump shot.

Rayco Bryant (Franklin-Simpson) – 6-6 strong inside player is hard to handle in the paint and can hit the jump shot.

Nick Brumback (Jackson County) – 6-5 forward/center is a strong hard worker who gets it done in the paint. Also has a nice shooting touch.

Dustin Day (Pineville) – 6-6 center operates well in paint, rebounds, and can nail the jump shot.

Adam Decker (Pleasure Ridge Park) – 5-11 point guard is an excellent floor leader and defender. Decker can score from mid to long range on his jumper.

Adam Delph (Pleasure Ridge Park) – 6-2 guard had a great summer, defends, and is an excellent shooter both from mid-range and the three point line.

Tyshwan Edmondson (University Heights) – 6-4 swingman is very athletic and gets the job done both inside and out.

Nick Gagel (Jeffersontown) – 5-11 guard can put the ball on the floor and can absolutely shoot the lights out.

Zach Gay (Buckhorn) – 6-6 inside player can block shots, rebound, and has range on his jump shot.

Josh Gumm (Taylor County) – 6-1 veteran guard has excellent shooting stroke.

Arrez Henderson (Covington Holmes) – Only 6-0 but plays above the rim. Lock-down defender can get to the basket or score with his jump shot.

Dexter Heyman (Male) – 6-4 inside player is a ferocious defender and hard to handle in the paint. High D1 prospect on the gridiron.

Scotty Hopson (University Heights) – 6-6 explosive swingman really stepped it up on the summer circuit. He has the ability to attack the rim as well as hit the jump shot.

Cameron Hundley (Scott County) – 6-4 swingman is a hard-nosed competitor who can do a little bit of everything on the floor.

Desmond Johnson (Cumberland) – 6-4 inside player’s athleticism makes him hard to defend around the basket.

Jordan Lee (Scott County) – 6-7 athletic frontliner can run and jump, making him effective on both ends of the court.

Shelvin Mack (Bryan Station) – 6-2 combo guard possesses excellent court vision, rebounds, and scores.

Isaac McClure (Paducah Tilghman) – 6-6 center/forward rebounds, defends, and scores in the paint.

Darius Miller (Mason County) – 6-6 forward can score both inside and out. Athletic performer’s all-around skills (ballhandler, passer, rebounder, defender) make him comfortable anywhere on the floor.

Coty Minnis (Shelby County) – Talented 6-3 forward poised for a big senior campaign.

Darnell Moore (Madisonville North Hopkins) – 6-6 forward/center is very athletic in the paint area.

Aaron Morris (Madison Central) – 6-6 forward averaged 18 ppg last season and has the ability to score both inside and out.

Aaron Morris (Muhlenberg North) – 6-3 talented 2-guard can light up the scoreboard.

Victor Moses (Henry Clay) – 6-6 wing player is a force on both ends of the floor. Moses is virtually unstoppable off the dribble and has improved his outside shot.

Jeff Mullaney (DeSales) – 6-2 guard a three year starter who can score.

Allen Murry (Pleasure Ridge Park) – 6-7 big man had been injury-plagued but is rapidly improving and provides a strong inside presence on both ends of the court.

Nathan Novosel (Lexington Catholic) – 6-5 inside player is a excellent in the paint and brings a big effort every night.

Chris Owens (St. Patrick) – 6-2 guard averaged 24 ppg last season and can light up the scoreboard.

Billie Payne (Oldham Central) – Talented 6-3 forward can score and rebound.

Stefon Perry (Paducah Tilghman) – 6-4 forward can score in the paint and can also nail the 10-15 foot jump shot.

Tyler Portwood (Scott County) – 6-5 wing player can stroke the outside jumper.

Trevor Setty (Mason County) – 6-7 forward has range on his shot.

Trey Shirley (Metcalfe County) – 6-4 guard is a versatile scorer who also hits the boards.

Nic Simpson (Highlands) – 6-1 guard possesses good quickness and can score off penetration and the jump shot.

Landon Slone (Paintsville) – 6-3 swingman handles the ball well and is a versatile scorer.

Jordan Smart (Lexington Catholic) – 6-6 wing player can shoot from “downtown”.

Travis Smith (Breathitt County) – 6-6 strongman is a force in the paint.

Corey Sorrell (Covington Holy Cross) – 6-4 guard is a deadly shooter with good range.

Michael Sparks (Tates Creek) – 6-3 swingman possesses good skills and can score both inside and out.

Travis Spiceland (Marshall County) – 6-0 guard handles the ball well, defends well, and knows how to score.

Jay Starks (Allen County-Scottsville) – 6-3 swingman should put up big numbers this year.

Jordan Stephens (Montgomery County) – 6-8 center has good post moves and is a good rebounder.

Clark Stepp (June Buchanan) – 6-3 guard averaged 25 ppg last season and is an excellent passer and ballhandler.

Dante Stewart (Lafayette) – 5-11 guard is a scorer with good all-around skills.

Taylor Stewart (Lexington Catholic) – 6-5 athletic swingman has excellent mid-range jump shot.

Antonio Sullivan (Iroquois) – 6-1 guard scores has the ability to drive or nail the three-pointer.

Matthew Thomas (Ashland Blazer) – 6-1 explosive combo guard can score on penetration or on a mid-range jump shot.

Christian Williams (Boyle County) – 6-2 athletic 2-guard capable of putting up big numbers.

Darrin Williams (Eastern) – 6-8 center has improved tremendously and can pass, rebound, and block shots. Williams has good hands and can score in paint.

J. D. VanHoose (Paintsville) – 6-2 swingman is a versatile performer with three point range.

Ryan Young (Lincoln County) – 6-1 guard is a clutch performer who can shoot the ball.

Note: Bud Mackey (Scott County) – 6-4 combo guard would have been one of the leading candidates for Mr. Basketball but off court problems are likely to prevent him from playing this year.

Underclassmen

This list was equally difficult. I could have added several deserving names. Once again, these players are listed in alphabetical order.

Juniors (Class of 2009)

Jordan Aumiller (Boyle County) – 6-5 forward is a versatile scorer who can get his points either in the paint or on his jump shot.

Darren Ballou (Adair County) – 6-7½ forward/center handles the ball, runs the floor, and has good range on his jump shot.

Paul Bunton (Central) – 6-5 athletic performer runs the floor and jumps well. Bunton has the ability to score both inside and out.

Michael Campbell (Hazard) – 6-3 forward is a strong frontliner with good all-around skills.

Cameron Clemons (Doss) – 6-3 swingman is a dead-eye shooter.

Garrison Collins (June Buchanan) – 6-9 center long on potential, will only continue to improve over time.

Chase Cox (Taylor County) – 6-1 guard is a deadly shooter with range.

Josh Crawford (Corbin) – 6-5 forward can play anywhere on the floor. Crawford averaged 18 ppg last season and is a good rebounder.

Eric Dunlap (Oldham County) – 5-10 point guard has an excellent floor game and scores on the jump shot.

Ethan Faulkner (Elliott County) – 6-1 floor leader scores from anywhere on the floor.

Evan Faulkner (Elliott County) – 6-1 guard has good all-around skills and is a versatile scorer.

Jonathan Ferguson (Elliott County) – 6-3 swingman is a versatile scorer capable of putting up big numbers.

Nick Fudge (Adair County) – 5-9 floor leader does all the little things necessary to win.

Jonathan Hood (Madisonville North Hopkins) – 6-6 guard is a shooter with range whose stock soared this summer.

Nick Hudson (Paul Dunbar) – 5-10 guard penetrates, defends, and has excellent court vision.

Jacob Jenkins (DuPont Manual) – 6-3 swingman is an excellent long-range marksman.

Jonathan King (Trigg County) – 6-4 guard is able to put the ball on the floor as well as shoot the ball with range.

LaRod King (North Hardin) – 6-6 player can man several positions and is a versatile scorer.

Leonard Macon (Danville) – 6-5 forward’s athleticism makes him a nightmare to defend around basket.

Steven McFarland (Boone County) – 6-4 swingman is a versatile performer capable of putting up even better numbers this year.

Russ Middleton (Mason County) – 6-3 cerebral guard point guard has good court vision, passes the ball, and shooting range extends from mid-range to the arc.

C. J. Penny (Anderson County) – 6-4 swingman uses his athleticism and mid-range jump shot to put up big numbers.

Richie Phares (Scott County) – 6-7 mobile forward has good all-around skills and can score both inside and out. Poised for a breakout season.

Vee Sanford (Lexington Catholic) – 6-3 guard transferred in this season and gives the Knights added athleticism and has good all-around skills.

Keshawn Simpson (Madison Central) – 6-2 strong and athletic, can get to the rim and is explosive off his feet.

James David Strange (Pineville) – 6-0 guard has good basketball IQ, solid floor game, and can shoot the ball.

Sophomores (Class of 2010)

Aaron Cosby (DuPont Manual) – 6-2 guard can score either off penetration or with the jump shot.

Tate Cox (June Buchanan) – 6-0 guard is a smooth performer with a deadly three point stroke.

Darnell Davis (Hopkinsville) – 6-4 forward can score, rebound, and defend.

Dakotah Euton (Rose Hill) – 6-8 forward can score both inside and out and hits the boards. Euton has excellent range on his jump shot.

Austin Flannery (Boone County) – 6-2 guard had excellent summer playing on a very good AAU squad. Flannery is an excellent shooter with downtown range.

Blaine Green (Middlesboro) – 6-3 forward handles the ball, passes, and scores either off penetration or on a mid-range jump shot. Green is also a good rebounder.

Ge-lawn Guyn (Scott County) – 6-1 guard transferred in this season and brings a lot of energy and athleticism to the game. Guyn is very quick and can break you down off the dribble or hit the jump shot.

Ashley Hatfield (Shelby Valley) – 6-5 forward’s range extends from mid-range to the three point line. Hatfield is also a good defender and shot blocker.

Cameron Hall (Fairview) – 6-0 guard has a good floor game and his jump shot has range.

Chad Jackson (Rose Hill) – 6-5 guard is an excellent defender and is extremely hard to stop in the open court.

Thomas Jackson (Jeffersontown) – 5-11 point guard has excellent quickness and can break you down off the dribble.

Madison Johnson (Corbin) – 6-4 swingman handles the ball and has excellent range on his shot.

Travis Johnston (Grayson County) – 5-10 guard has starred since eighth grade, shoots the ball well, and has good all-around skills.

Cody Miller (Knox Central) – 6-5 versatile swingman is a multi-talented performer who scores both inside and out. Miller is also a good rebounder and future appears bright.

Josh Sewell (Louisville Trinity) – 6-4 swingman is very athletic, penetrates well, and scores off the pull-up jump shot.

Matt St. John (South Laurel) – 6-6 center provides a presence in the middle and will get a chance to shine this season.

Aaron Watts (McCreary Central) – 6-1 guard has starred since eighth grade. Watts scores off the dribble or with his jump shot.

Shaquille Wilson (Christian County) – 6-5 guard excellent passer, shoots the ball well, and should only continue to improve.

Freshmen (Class of 2011)

Marcellus Barksdale (Tates Creek) – 6-3 forward is an excellent rebounder, good court vision, and scores on 10-15 foot jump shot.

Seth Beckham (Bryan Station) – 6-0 swingman has a nice blend of athleticism and overall ability.

Gavin Dunagan (Wayne County) – 6-3 forward has good all-around skills and could be one of the best players in the region as a freshman.

Ryan Fucci (Tates Creek) – 6-1 swingman has a keen understanding of the game and is solid in all areas.

Tony Kimbro, Jr. (DuPont Manual) – 6-4 wing player rebounds well, scores both inside and out, and has the skills necessary to play anywhere on the floor.

Timmy Knipp (Elliott County) – 6-6 center adds needed size to Elliott County’s lineup. Knipp can be an impact player early and has a good shooting touch.

Jake McClanahan (East Ridge) – 6-7 center scores well in the paint and can shoot the mid range jump shot.

Jordan Shankin (Warren Central) – 6-0 guard has good skills and could be special at Warren Central.

Robbie Stenzel (Clark County) – 6-3 perimeter made a big impact as an eighth grader and continues to improve. Stenzel has the complete array of skills to be very good.


Thoughts

This has been fun but extremely frustrating. Each year I add names but there are still so many more names that could have and should have been added to the list, but for time and space considerations.

There is always a lot of young talent in throughout the state that I usually don’t see much until their freshman year. Based on what I seen in summer camps and AAU, and realizing how many good players I missed, the future of Kentucky high school basketball looks good.