The Scribe
11-25-2008, 02:54 AM
Fourth Region Boys Preview
by Mark Mathis
1. Warren Central (11-17) took a year off from being the top power in this region, and one of the top teams in the state in this decade.
The Dragons had won six straight regional crowns, a state championship and been to the state final four a couple of times since 2004.
They had young talent, which has had a year to get better and more mature.
Pete Winn emerged as the Dragons’ leading scorer and was a 3-point shooting specialist.
They also have Jordan Shanklin back as one of the top young guards in the state. George Fant is a 6-foot-6 sophomore who is a top rebounder and can run the floor. The talent parade for Central continues with Scooter Lightfoot, a 6-3 senior who was last year’s most valuable player.
2. Russellville (16-12) has enough good guard play to return to Rupp Arena for the first time since 2001. The Panthers were ousted on a last-second shot by Bowling Green in the regional tournament.
3. Franklin-Simpson (24-7) has a big front line in 6-7 Jim Murphee and 6-6 Terry Bryant, and several other players at least 6-5.
The Wildcats only experience is from lone returning starter Courtney Dalcourt. Sophomore point guard Damien Elam did a good job running the team and rebounding. Daniel Pardue is a 5-10 senior shooting guard and sophomore D.J. Quarles adds athletic depth.
4. Greenwood (24-11) is the defending regional champion and should challenge again with junior forward Dee Anderson, who averaged 12 points and seven rebounds a game, and senior J.J. Smith, who scored nearly 10 points a game.
5. Bowling Green (23-10) has 5-10 senior Tevin Barksdale to build around from its regional finalist team last season. Jeb Richardson is a 6-5 senior who should be a big contributor for the Purples.
6. Allen County-Scottsville (13-14) may have the most experienced team in the region with four seniors and six players overall who saw significant minutes. Phillip Hayes is a 6-8 senior who could become the toughest player in the region to stop in the paint.
7. Cumberland County (7-20) has four starters returning, which means this squad might return to the regional tournament for the first time since 1999.
Kurtis Claywell averaged 15 points a game and leads four players returning who averaged scoring in double figures. Junior guard Cameron Stalcup averaged 13 points a game.
8. Glasgow (16-13) has a new coach who is very familiar to University of Louisville fans. Jeff Hall, who was a sharpshooter on U of L’s 1986 national championship team, leads the squad after coaching O.J. Mayo at Rose Hill Christian from 2001-03.
Cameron Hall, Jeff’s son, brings nearly 22 points a game to the Scotties.
9. Clinton County (8-20) is being looked at as a team with lots of potential because it has a lot of scoring coming back.
Guards Dillon Flowers and Storm Burchett combined to score 27 points a game, along with pulling 10 rebounds and passing out more than three assists a game.
10. Warren East (18-10) has veteran coach Curtis Turley leading the team, and that alone should be worth a few more victories. Senior Shenard Holton is the only starter expected to return, and he is a fine talent who has committed to play football at the University of Louisville.
11. Todd County Central (7-21) have what many call the region’s most talented player in DeAndre Mensah, who averaged 19.3 points and 8.3 rebounds while hitting 61 percent from the field.
12. Barren County (26-7) had one of the best teams in the region last season. The Trojans have one of the biggest rebuilding jobs in the region this season.
They lost all five starters and their long-time coach Steve Riley. Assistant coach Warren Cunningham is the head man now and has little experience to work with.
13. Russell County (14-14) is expecting big things because of its long-range shooting ability. The Lakers were one of the state’s best 3-point shooting teams. Bryon Ellis is the hottest shooter among many on this squad.
14. Monroe County (6-22) has five players back who could help turn their record around.
Senior guard Justin Harlan scored 11 points a game. The backcourt-heavy team also features Matt Sheffeld, Keaton Rich, Tanner Kendall and Joseph Eaton.
15. Metcalfe County (21-8) has one of the veteran coaches in the region with Tim McMurtrey, but it also has a lot of holes to fill with 11 seniors gone.
16. Logan County (2-25) has fallen far from once being a regional contender when the school first consolidated two decades ago. Harold Tackett is Logan County’s third boys’ coach in as many years.
Top Players in the Fourth Region
1. Jordan Shanklin, Warren Central, 6-foot, soph, guard -- Has the ability to be one of best young guards in the state.
2. George Fant, Warren Central, 6-6, Soph, forward -- Could be a major inside force.
3. Dee Anderson, Greenwood, 6-1, Jr., Guard -- How has he bounced back from knee injury?
4. Damian Elam, Russellville, 5-10, soph, guard -- Will be in third year running the team.
5. Bryon Ellis, Russell County, 6-foot, Sr. guard -- Major long-distance shooting threat
6. Pete Winn, Warren Central, 5-6, sr. guard -- Could be best player in region when plays to ability.
7. Shenard Holton, Warren East, 6-2, Jr. forward -- Great athlete who has committed to play football at Louisville.
8. Tevin Barksdale, Bowling Green, 5-10, Sr. guard -- Another all-around athlete
9. Courtney Dalcourt, Franklin-Simpson, 6-3, jr. guard
10. Phillip Hayes, Allen County-Scottsville, 6-8, Sr. center
by Mark Mathis
1. Warren Central (11-17) took a year off from being the top power in this region, and one of the top teams in the state in this decade.
The Dragons had won six straight regional crowns, a state championship and been to the state final four a couple of times since 2004.
They had young talent, which has had a year to get better and more mature.
Pete Winn emerged as the Dragons’ leading scorer and was a 3-point shooting specialist.
They also have Jordan Shanklin back as one of the top young guards in the state. George Fant is a 6-foot-6 sophomore who is a top rebounder and can run the floor. The talent parade for Central continues with Scooter Lightfoot, a 6-3 senior who was last year’s most valuable player.
2. Russellville (16-12) has enough good guard play to return to Rupp Arena for the first time since 2001. The Panthers were ousted on a last-second shot by Bowling Green in the regional tournament.
3. Franklin-Simpson (24-7) has a big front line in 6-7 Jim Murphee and 6-6 Terry Bryant, and several other players at least 6-5.
The Wildcats only experience is from lone returning starter Courtney Dalcourt. Sophomore point guard Damien Elam did a good job running the team and rebounding. Daniel Pardue is a 5-10 senior shooting guard and sophomore D.J. Quarles adds athletic depth.
4. Greenwood (24-11) is the defending regional champion and should challenge again with junior forward Dee Anderson, who averaged 12 points and seven rebounds a game, and senior J.J. Smith, who scored nearly 10 points a game.
5. Bowling Green (23-10) has 5-10 senior Tevin Barksdale to build around from its regional finalist team last season. Jeb Richardson is a 6-5 senior who should be a big contributor for the Purples.
6. Allen County-Scottsville (13-14) may have the most experienced team in the region with four seniors and six players overall who saw significant minutes. Phillip Hayes is a 6-8 senior who could become the toughest player in the region to stop in the paint.
7. Cumberland County (7-20) has four starters returning, which means this squad might return to the regional tournament for the first time since 1999.
Kurtis Claywell averaged 15 points a game and leads four players returning who averaged scoring in double figures. Junior guard Cameron Stalcup averaged 13 points a game.
8. Glasgow (16-13) has a new coach who is very familiar to University of Louisville fans. Jeff Hall, who was a sharpshooter on U of L’s 1986 national championship team, leads the squad after coaching O.J. Mayo at Rose Hill Christian from 2001-03.
Cameron Hall, Jeff’s son, brings nearly 22 points a game to the Scotties.
9. Clinton County (8-20) is being looked at as a team with lots of potential because it has a lot of scoring coming back.
Guards Dillon Flowers and Storm Burchett combined to score 27 points a game, along with pulling 10 rebounds and passing out more than three assists a game.
10. Warren East (18-10) has veteran coach Curtis Turley leading the team, and that alone should be worth a few more victories. Senior Shenard Holton is the only starter expected to return, and he is a fine talent who has committed to play football at the University of Louisville.
11. Todd County Central (7-21) have what many call the region’s most talented player in DeAndre Mensah, who averaged 19.3 points and 8.3 rebounds while hitting 61 percent from the field.
12. Barren County (26-7) had one of the best teams in the region last season. The Trojans have one of the biggest rebuilding jobs in the region this season.
They lost all five starters and their long-time coach Steve Riley. Assistant coach Warren Cunningham is the head man now and has little experience to work with.
13. Russell County (14-14) is expecting big things because of its long-range shooting ability. The Lakers were one of the state’s best 3-point shooting teams. Bryon Ellis is the hottest shooter among many on this squad.
14. Monroe County (6-22) has five players back who could help turn their record around.
Senior guard Justin Harlan scored 11 points a game. The backcourt-heavy team also features Matt Sheffeld, Keaton Rich, Tanner Kendall and Joseph Eaton.
15. Metcalfe County (21-8) has one of the veteran coaches in the region with Tim McMurtrey, but it also has a lot of holes to fill with 11 seniors gone.
16. Logan County (2-25) has fallen far from once being a regional contender when the school first consolidated two decades ago. Harold Tackett is Logan County’s third boys’ coach in as many years.
Top Players in the Fourth Region
1. Jordan Shanklin, Warren Central, 6-foot, soph, guard -- Has the ability to be one of best young guards in the state.
2. George Fant, Warren Central, 6-6, Soph, forward -- Could be a major inside force.
3. Dee Anderson, Greenwood, 6-1, Jr., Guard -- How has he bounced back from knee injury?
4. Damian Elam, Russellville, 5-10, soph, guard -- Will be in third year running the team.
5. Bryon Ellis, Russell County, 6-foot, Sr. guard -- Major long-distance shooting threat
6. Pete Winn, Warren Central, 5-6, sr. guard -- Could be best player in region when plays to ability.
7. Shenard Holton, Warren East, 6-2, Jr. forward -- Great athlete who has committed to play football at Louisville.
8. Tevin Barksdale, Bowling Green, 5-10, Sr. guard -- Another all-around athlete
9. Courtney Dalcourt, Franklin-Simpson, 6-3, jr. guard
10. Phillip Hayes, Allen County-Scottsville, 6-8, Sr. center