The Scribe
11-25-2008, 02:45 AM
Third Region Boys Preview
By Mark Mathis
1. Muhlenberg North (26-5) has the most experienced team coming back in the region. Tommy Oates (6-4) and Jordan McElwain are considered among the best players in the region.
Ty Dillingham is another 6-4 swing player who could be the key to the Stars’ season. He has worked on his jump shot and can run the floor.
“He’s kind of the X factor,” North coach Steve Sparks said. “He might be one of the most athletic guys we’ve ever had play here.”
North will give teams trouble with its precise motion offense, and with its experience, may finally have drawn even with Apollo and OHS.
Oates can steop out and do some things, got some range jump shot, runs floor really well.
Joe Gabbard is a 6-3 junior forward.
McElwain and Jerry Clark have been starting at guard since they were freshmen.
“We’re senior dominated, and to have that much experience has to make you feel good as a coach,” Sparks said.
2. Owensboro (23-10) is the two-time defending regional champion will also have a new coach, but one who has been a part of the fabric of OHS’s long tradition for many years.
Rod Drake was a star on the last OHS team to win a state championship back in 1980. He has been an assistant coach with OHS for the last seven years.
“My heart has always been with Owensboro,” Drake said during the summer.
OHS might not have as much experienced depth as it has had the last couple of years, but the Devils may have the toughest guard in the region with Yorel Shemwell.
Bulked up from playing running back for the Devils’ football team, Shemwell can guide the offense and is a difficult defender.
Shemwell has been more of a distributor, but he can also score.
Norris Moorman is a 6-4 power forward who is back for his junior season.
Jonathan Goodwin is a 6-5 inside player who hasn’t had much varsity experience.
OHS may have the best addition in the region with Darnell Davis, a transfer from Hopkinsville. Davis put up 29 points against the Red Devils last year. He can shoot from the outside, handle the ball and defend outside.
Drake feels good about his team being able to compete and defend its two regional championships.
“Our goal here is to always get to state,” Drake said. “ If you have a good point guard and decent big man you can do some things.”
3. Grayson County (19-11) return all five starters from a team that lost in the first round of the regional tournament to Owensboro, 41-38.
Travis Johnston is a junior and one of the best guard in the region. The 5-10 junior averaged 16 points and four assists a game last year. He shot 40 percent from 3-point range.
Senior Wes Smith is the Cougars best defensive player. Bennett Skaggs, a 6-2 senior, is the Cougars’ most versatile player. He can play point guard and center, averaging seven points and four rebounds a game.
Tyler Saltsman averaged eight points and six rebounds a game, shooting 38 percent from 3-point range. Junior Aaron Deviney will be at center. He averaged six points and eight rebounds a game and will be looked to for more scoring.
“Depth should be a strength for us this year,” Grayson County coach Todd Johnston said. “We are not big but are pretty physical and can put five players on the floor that can all score and have big nights for us.
“I expect us to have a chance to compete with anybody in our region. Size is a definite concern but we do rebound well. I feel like our guards as as good as anybody's in the region.”
4. Daviess County (18-10) has gotten some attention throughout the region that this could be the best DCHS team since the Panthers went to the State tournament in 2003 for only the second time in school history.
Part of that notice comes from DCHS returning six seniors who have a varity of abilities.
DCHS will be under new leadership at the top. Former assistant coach Caleb Smith was named the head man late in the spring after Charlie Broughton resigned to go be an assistant principal at Hancock County.
Alex Stivers is a 6-3 shooting guard who averaged in double figures. Seth Ralston, Taylor Grayson and Joey Kramer are all guards in the 6-3 range who can score and defend on the perimeter.
The Panthers should also be harder to guard inside with Adam Satterfeld, a 6-8 senior forward, in the middle. Ben Oldham is a 6-4 senior forward who can add some strength inside.
Hayden Simon is a 6-6 junior forward who will provide depth up front.
The Panthers weren’t as strong a rerbounding team as they should have been, so that was a focal point over the summer.
“We are looking to become a much better defensive and rebounding team from last year,” Smith said. “That has been our focus all summer and will continue to be the focus of our team.”
5. Apollo (22-9) lost one of the best players in the region in several years with Tyler Brown, who will play in college at Morehard State.
They do have several players back, though, from teams that reached the regional finals the last two years for veteran coach Tony Hopper. “We will not be quite as athletic as last yeae, but we still have several very quick perimeter players and have good size in the post,” Hopper said.
That should change the diminsions for the Eagles, which were more of a drive-and-dish team from the wing.
The key spot, point guard, will have a veteran back in three-year starter Delon Butler. He averaged eight points, three assists and three rebounds per game last season.
“I expect Delon to be one of the better players in the region, and to have an outstanding year. He may be the best defensive player I’ve ever coached.”
Hopper has an assortment of other players he can work with.
Seniors Jordan Ferguson (five ppg and two rpg) and Courtland Dillard will play the wing position, and Dillard is also a good defensive player.
Junior Bryson Morrow an outstanding defensive player who averaged two assists and two points a game. Junior Trace Ewing averaged 4.4 ppg and is an outstanding 3-point shooter.
Junior Micah Hollowell averaged five points a game and has the potential to be one of our better players. Junior Hunter Rowe does a great job on the offensive boards and defensively.
Juniors Harris Bivin and Taylor Ewing will give Apollo a big offensive post presence it has lacked the last couple of years.
Bivin is huge at 6-3, 280 pounds. Ewing is 6-11, 260.
6. Muhlenberg South (14-15) has a young but talented team, according to South coach Terry Nofsinger.
“We have very strong classes of juniors and sophomores,” Nofsinger said.
They also have a 6-6 freshman in LeMon Gregory who could have an immediate impact after a big summer.
Michael Civils is a 5-10 sophomore guard who averaged 14 points and five assists a game.
Josh Hawkins is a 5-8 junior point guard. Daniel Jenkins is a 6-3 junior forward who brings back five points and five rebounds a game.
7. Edmonson County (19-10) with coach Darryl Travis made significant improvement last season. The Wildcats fell to Grayson County by just three points (55-52) in the 12th District championship game.
They should be very competitive again behind the strong play of Cody Rich. Rich is a 6-4 junior inside player who averaged nearly 10 rebounds a game. Rich will be called on to score more this season, and he picked up the pace late last year in that area.
8. Breckinridge County (12-15) reached the regional tournament in Coach Patrick Critchelow’s first season. They have four starters returning from last season, and that should help offset the control Meade County has had on this district since coming into the region three years ago.
Justin Oliver and Jeremiah Stinnett are top players returning for Breckinridge County.
Oliver is a 6-4 senior who averaged 10 points and six rebounds a game.
“He is very explosive,” Critchelow said.
Stinnett is a 6-4 swing player who averaged 13 points and five rebounds a game.
“He is a great slasher and leaper,” Critchelow said.
Other top performers include Dustin Lucas, Brett Mingus, Zach Smith and Wade Weatherholt.
9. Ohio County (15-12) has three starters returning. Kellen Fleener is a 6-foot guard, Jordan Phelps is a 6-foot forward and Jeremiah Baxley is a 5-10 guards.
Ohio County is missing a fourth junior with the transfer of leading scorer and rebounder Bevin Bunton, who will be going to Allen County-Scottsville.
Ohio County also has three good seniors with 6-6 center Lars King, 6-4 forward Jeffrey Luttrell and 6-3 athlete Domonique Martin.
“All have vastly improved ad will be a very big key to our success,” Ohio County coach Paul Decker said. “Although it was a big blow to our program to lose a player like Kevin, I think we will be much better and could surprise some people.”
10. Owensboro Catholic (12-15) did enjoy some success when they played teams of an equal talent level. They won seven games in a row in December, including a holiday tournament at McLean County.
Expect continued improvement from the Aces in their third year under Coach Perry Bailey.
Neil Lanham could be a key figure for the Aces before the end of the season.
11. Meade County (20-8) lost six of their top eight players from last year.
Johnathon Ives, a 6-2 senior guard, is the long returning starter. He averaged seven points a game, and his numbers should go up and he will need to shoot the ball well for Meade County to have some success.
Doug Wells is a 6-3 senior forward who gives Meade County good defensive presence inside.
Ethan Brangers is a 6-5 senior who runs the floor well and can shoot from 15 feet. Braden Pace is a 5-8 senior who will likely start at point guard.
12. Whitesville Trinity (7-18) has a new coach this year with some old ties to the program.
Steve Winkler has been gone eight years from Trinity, but he started coaching there in 1987, took a year off, then coached 11 years before leaving the school in 1999.
“We’re just going to take one step at a time,” Winkler said. “They’ve only won 14 or 15 games in the last four years. We need to get them back used to my system.”
Logan Howard, Colin Hagan and Ethan Brown (6-7) return for Trinity.
13. McLean County (9-17) will continue to try and get back to .500 with long-time coach Andy Groves.
14. Butler County (9-15) will try to get back on the positive side of the win-loss sheet this season.
15. Hancock County (8-18) has a few players coming back from a team that struggled last season.
16. Cloverport (0-24) would consider a couple of wins a successful season.
Top Players in the Third Region
1. Yorell Shemwell, Owensboro, Sr. 5-9, G . he made a big difference in Owensboro run, makes so many things happen.he’s so smart with the ball. will make his teammates better.
2. Travis Johnston, Grayson County, Sr. 5-10, G. possesses some of same qualities, the end result, Travis has to use a different approach, will have to do more scoring.
3. Tommy Oates, Muhlenberg North, Sr. 6-4, F. Can step out on the floor and get things done. Has good range and runs the floor well.
4. DeLon Butler, Apollo, 5-8, Sr. G. Doesn’t score a lot, but has very good guard skills, which is important to Coach Tony Hopper.
3. Ty Dillingham, Muhlenberg North, 6-4, Sr. F. One of the best players in the region and could be one of the best athletes in school history.
6. Alex Stivers, Daviess County, 6-3, Sr. G. Has a chance to become an even bigger point producer.
7. Cody Rich, Edmonson County, 6-4, Jr. F. Very tough matchup for a lot of teams with good knack for the game. Also knows how to score.
8. Michael Civils, Muhlenberg South, 5-10, Soph. G. One of the best young guards in the region. Can score and get the ball to his teammates in good position.
9. Jordan McElwain, Muhlenberg North, 5-10, Sr. G. Has been a starter since his freshman season, so knows how to get the job done.
10. Jeremiah Stinnett, Breckinridge County, 6-4, Jr. F. Can get in the lane and get up around the rim.
By Mark Mathis
1. Muhlenberg North (26-5) has the most experienced team coming back in the region. Tommy Oates (6-4) and Jordan McElwain are considered among the best players in the region.
Ty Dillingham is another 6-4 swing player who could be the key to the Stars’ season. He has worked on his jump shot and can run the floor.
“He’s kind of the X factor,” North coach Steve Sparks said. “He might be one of the most athletic guys we’ve ever had play here.”
North will give teams trouble with its precise motion offense, and with its experience, may finally have drawn even with Apollo and OHS.
Oates can steop out and do some things, got some range jump shot, runs floor really well.
Joe Gabbard is a 6-3 junior forward.
McElwain and Jerry Clark have been starting at guard since they were freshmen.
“We’re senior dominated, and to have that much experience has to make you feel good as a coach,” Sparks said.
2. Owensboro (23-10) is the two-time defending regional champion will also have a new coach, but one who has been a part of the fabric of OHS’s long tradition for many years.
Rod Drake was a star on the last OHS team to win a state championship back in 1980. He has been an assistant coach with OHS for the last seven years.
“My heart has always been with Owensboro,” Drake said during the summer.
OHS might not have as much experienced depth as it has had the last couple of years, but the Devils may have the toughest guard in the region with Yorel Shemwell.
Bulked up from playing running back for the Devils’ football team, Shemwell can guide the offense and is a difficult defender.
Shemwell has been more of a distributor, but he can also score.
Norris Moorman is a 6-4 power forward who is back for his junior season.
Jonathan Goodwin is a 6-5 inside player who hasn’t had much varsity experience.
OHS may have the best addition in the region with Darnell Davis, a transfer from Hopkinsville. Davis put up 29 points against the Red Devils last year. He can shoot from the outside, handle the ball and defend outside.
Drake feels good about his team being able to compete and defend its two regional championships.
“Our goal here is to always get to state,” Drake said. “ If you have a good point guard and decent big man you can do some things.”
3. Grayson County (19-11) return all five starters from a team that lost in the first round of the regional tournament to Owensboro, 41-38.
Travis Johnston is a junior and one of the best guard in the region. The 5-10 junior averaged 16 points and four assists a game last year. He shot 40 percent from 3-point range.
Senior Wes Smith is the Cougars best defensive player. Bennett Skaggs, a 6-2 senior, is the Cougars’ most versatile player. He can play point guard and center, averaging seven points and four rebounds a game.
Tyler Saltsman averaged eight points and six rebounds a game, shooting 38 percent from 3-point range. Junior Aaron Deviney will be at center. He averaged six points and eight rebounds a game and will be looked to for more scoring.
“Depth should be a strength for us this year,” Grayson County coach Todd Johnston said. “We are not big but are pretty physical and can put five players on the floor that can all score and have big nights for us.
“I expect us to have a chance to compete with anybody in our region. Size is a definite concern but we do rebound well. I feel like our guards as as good as anybody's in the region.”
4. Daviess County (18-10) has gotten some attention throughout the region that this could be the best DCHS team since the Panthers went to the State tournament in 2003 for only the second time in school history.
Part of that notice comes from DCHS returning six seniors who have a varity of abilities.
DCHS will be under new leadership at the top. Former assistant coach Caleb Smith was named the head man late in the spring after Charlie Broughton resigned to go be an assistant principal at Hancock County.
Alex Stivers is a 6-3 shooting guard who averaged in double figures. Seth Ralston, Taylor Grayson and Joey Kramer are all guards in the 6-3 range who can score and defend on the perimeter.
The Panthers should also be harder to guard inside with Adam Satterfeld, a 6-8 senior forward, in the middle. Ben Oldham is a 6-4 senior forward who can add some strength inside.
Hayden Simon is a 6-6 junior forward who will provide depth up front.
The Panthers weren’t as strong a rerbounding team as they should have been, so that was a focal point over the summer.
“We are looking to become a much better defensive and rebounding team from last year,” Smith said. “That has been our focus all summer and will continue to be the focus of our team.”
5. Apollo (22-9) lost one of the best players in the region in several years with Tyler Brown, who will play in college at Morehard State.
They do have several players back, though, from teams that reached the regional finals the last two years for veteran coach Tony Hopper. “We will not be quite as athletic as last yeae, but we still have several very quick perimeter players and have good size in the post,” Hopper said.
That should change the diminsions for the Eagles, which were more of a drive-and-dish team from the wing.
The key spot, point guard, will have a veteran back in three-year starter Delon Butler. He averaged eight points, three assists and three rebounds per game last season.
“I expect Delon to be one of the better players in the region, and to have an outstanding year. He may be the best defensive player I’ve ever coached.”
Hopper has an assortment of other players he can work with.
Seniors Jordan Ferguson (five ppg and two rpg) and Courtland Dillard will play the wing position, and Dillard is also a good defensive player.
Junior Bryson Morrow an outstanding defensive player who averaged two assists and two points a game. Junior Trace Ewing averaged 4.4 ppg and is an outstanding 3-point shooter.
Junior Micah Hollowell averaged five points a game and has the potential to be one of our better players. Junior Hunter Rowe does a great job on the offensive boards and defensively.
Juniors Harris Bivin and Taylor Ewing will give Apollo a big offensive post presence it has lacked the last couple of years.
Bivin is huge at 6-3, 280 pounds. Ewing is 6-11, 260.
6. Muhlenberg South (14-15) has a young but talented team, according to South coach Terry Nofsinger.
“We have very strong classes of juniors and sophomores,” Nofsinger said.
They also have a 6-6 freshman in LeMon Gregory who could have an immediate impact after a big summer.
Michael Civils is a 5-10 sophomore guard who averaged 14 points and five assists a game.
Josh Hawkins is a 5-8 junior point guard. Daniel Jenkins is a 6-3 junior forward who brings back five points and five rebounds a game.
7. Edmonson County (19-10) with coach Darryl Travis made significant improvement last season. The Wildcats fell to Grayson County by just three points (55-52) in the 12th District championship game.
They should be very competitive again behind the strong play of Cody Rich. Rich is a 6-4 junior inside player who averaged nearly 10 rebounds a game. Rich will be called on to score more this season, and he picked up the pace late last year in that area.
8. Breckinridge County (12-15) reached the regional tournament in Coach Patrick Critchelow’s first season. They have four starters returning from last season, and that should help offset the control Meade County has had on this district since coming into the region three years ago.
Justin Oliver and Jeremiah Stinnett are top players returning for Breckinridge County.
Oliver is a 6-4 senior who averaged 10 points and six rebounds a game.
“He is very explosive,” Critchelow said.
Stinnett is a 6-4 swing player who averaged 13 points and five rebounds a game.
“He is a great slasher and leaper,” Critchelow said.
Other top performers include Dustin Lucas, Brett Mingus, Zach Smith and Wade Weatherholt.
9. Ohio County (15-12) has three starters returning. Kellen Fleener is a 6-foot guard, Jordan Phelps is a 6-foot forward and Jeremiah Baxley is a 5-10 guards.
Ohio County is missing a fourth junior with the transfer of leading scorer and rebounder Bevin Bunton, who will be going to Allen County-Scottsville.
Ohio County also has three good seniors with 6-6 center Lars King, 6-4 forward Jeffrey Luttrell and 6-3 athlete Domonique Martin.
“All have vastly improved ad will be a very big key to our success,” Ohio County coach Paul Decker said. “Although it was a big blow to our program to lose a player like Kevin, I think we will be much better and could surprise some people.”
10. Owensboro Catholic (12-15) did enjoy some success when they played teams of an equal talent level. They won seven games in a row in December, including a holiday tournament at McLean County.
Expect continued improvement from the Aces in their third year under Coach Perry Bailey.
Neil Lanham could be a key figure for the Aces before the end of the season.
11. Meade County (20-8) lost six of their top eight players from last year.
Johnathon Ives, a 6-2 senior guard, is the long returning starter. He averaged seven points a game, and his numbers should go up and he will need to shoot the ball well for Meade County to have some success.
Doug Wells is a 6-3 senior forward who gives Meade County good defensive presence inside.
Ethan Brangers is a 6-5 senior who runs the floor well and can shoot from 15 feet. Braden Pace is a 5-8 senior who will likely start at point guard.
12. Whitesville Trinity (7-18) has a new coach this year with some old ties to the program.
Steve Winkler has been gone eight years from Trinity, but he started coaching there in 1987, took a year off, then coached 11 years before leaving the school in 1999.
“We’re just going to take one step at a time,” Winkler said. “They’ve only won 14 or 15 games in the last four years. We need to get them back used to my system.”
Logan Howard, Colin Hagan and Ethan Brown (6-7) return for Trinity.
13. McLean County (9-17) will continue to try and get back to .500 with long-time coach Andy Groves.
14. Butler County (9-15) will try to get back on the positive side of the win-loss sheet this season.
15. Hancock County (8-18) has a few players coming back from a team that struggled last season.
16. Cloverport (0-24) would consider a couple of wins a successful season.
Top Players in the Third Region
1. Yorell Shemwell, Owensboro, Sr. 5-9, G . he made a big difference in Owensboro run, makes so many things happen.he’s so smart with the ball. will make his teammates better.
2. Travis Johnston, Grayson County, Sr. 5-10, G. possesses some of same qualities, the end result, Travis has to use a different approach, will have to do more scoring.
3. Tommy Oates, Muhlenberg North, Sr. 6-4, F. Can step out on the floor and get things done. Has good range and runs the floor well.
4. DeLon Butler, Apollo, 5-8, Sr. G. Doesn’t score a lot, but has very good guard skills, which is important to Coach Tony Hopper.
3. Ty Dillingham, Muhlenberg North, 6-4, Sr. F. One of the best players in the region and could be one of the best athletes in school history.
6. Alex Stivers, Daviess County, 6-3, Sr. G. Has a chance to become an even bigger point producer.
7. Cody Rich, Edmonson County, 6-4, Jr. F. Very tough matchup for a lot of teams with good knack for the game. Also knows how to score.
8. Michael Civils, Muhlenberg South, 5-10, Soph. G. One of the best young guards in the region. Can score and get the ball to his teammates in good position.
9. Jordan McElwain, Muhlenberg North, 5-10, Sr. G. Has been a starter since his freshman season, so knows how to get the job done.
10. Jeremiah Stinnett, Breckinridge County, 6-4, Jr. F. Can get in the lane and get up around the rim.