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BluegrassPreps.com 14th Region Boys Basketball Preview


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It’s that time once again that a lot of people wait for. it’s time for basketball season and the 14th region should be a fun one with no real heavy favorite like year’s past. Perry Central, Knott Central, Estill County and Wolfe County all have chances to win the region title this season.

 

Preseason 14th Region Rankings

 

1. Knott County Central: The Patriots will look to make it back to the region championship game again this coming season. Senior Isaac Caudill and junior big man Cameron Jones will be the ones that coach BB King relies on the most this season but speed will be the thing that hurts the Pats the worse this season.

 

2. Estill County: It’s very unusual to hear, mention or think of Estill County competing for a region championship but this could be the year that the Engineers win the region championship with the bulk of their team returning and including the best scoring guard in the region, Caleb Bonny and two new transfers over the summer, JT O’Hair who transferred in from Breathitt County and a transfer from Michigan, Estill has all the right makings for a championship team.

 

3. Cordia: The Lions have came so close of winning a region championship but can never get over the hump and win a region championship? With seniors Oumar Keita and Kareem McDonald both returning, this could finally be the year that the Lions are called region champions.

 

4. Perry County Central: The Commodores are the defending region champs and should be the favorite until knocked off. With most of their scoring and their bigs leaving to graduation and no incoming transfers, the Commodores will have to rely on junior Noah Back, senior Richard Cornett and senior Chandler Caudill to lead them back to the region championship. Not much experience returning for the Commodores but they will have a lot of speed and athleticism will be the factors to see how far the Commodores can go.

 

5. Wolfe County: To my knowledge the Wolves have never won a region championship but this could be the year they do it and with them returning the bulk of their team, it’s very possible. The Wolves return sharp shooter and 3 point specialist Devin Stone. Wolfe County should be a big favorite to win the 55thdistrict for the second straight year.

 

6. Leslie County: Leslie County had a decent season last year going 17-13 splitting games with both Hazard and Buckhorn but this season the Eagles have their eye on something much bigger, defeating Perry Central for the first time in school history and this could be the year to do that and possibly win region. The Eagles return 3 players, all seniors that will reach the 1,000 point club, Tyler Dixon, Nick Hoskins and Colin Smith, the Eagles also return starting point guard Darron Whitaker who was injured and didn’t play at all last season,returning. Leslie County will have to rely on their guards this season as they don’t have much height.

 

7. Hazard: The Bulldogs had one of their worst seasons last year going 13-14,9-9 in region and picking up only 1 win in district play and got bounced in the first round of the district tournament but the Bulldogs should be much improved this season, probably not from what we’re use too but not as bad as last season.

8. Breathitt County: The Bobcats ended the season 18-15 last season and went through several big changes this off season, head coach Robert Amis left to take the Eminence head coaching job but the Bobcats got a big time coach in return as they talked coach John Noble into taking the position. Breathitt County also lost their two best returning players from last season due to transferring as JT O’Hair (11PPG) transferred to Estill County and Bryson Parks (9 points a game) transferred to Hazard but the Bobcats do return some very good talent that’s capable of getting to the basket and scoring, Kyle Fraley, Jalen Taulbee, Cameron Stacy and Trey Noble.

 

9. Buckhorn: After winning the region title two years ago, the Wildcats seen their hopes of repeating come to an end in the opening round of the region tournament last season, falling to Estill County 55-49. Coach John Noble also stepped down to take an administration position within the Perry County school system before taking the Breathitt County coaching job. Buckhorn returns Austin Bennett who averaged 17 points a game and had several 40+ point games last season. Buckhorn has the talent to run-n-gun but lack the size to get to the rim and score.

10. Letcher County Central: The Cougars lost a great coach in Robert Hammonds to resigned to move back to Jessamine County and they also lost the best player in the region Torrell Carter. The Cougars return no one that averaged double digits in scoring other than Carter who graduated last season so youth will be a big factor in seeing how far the Cougars can make it.

 

11. Powell County: The Pirates had a good season last year but came up short in the district title game against Estill County then had a tough loss to Letcher Central in the opening round of the regional tournament. The Pirates lost majority of their starters and scoring from last season in both Hunter and Levi Bloom, Max Hernandez, Austin Napier and Mikey Lindon as well as several others, 7 total from last season. The Pirates due return star guard DeShaun Williams (3.3 PPG) who had several big scoring games from last season. The Pirates also return big man Carlos Hernandez but they have a long way to go but with legendary coach David Farley still driving the ship, anything is possible.

 

12. Lee County: The Bobcats had a rough season last year but with the return of seniors Dylan McQueen and Joe Shelton, this could be the year the Bobcats make it back to the region tournament.

 

13. Jackson City: Jackson City didn’t have the season they’d hoped for last year only winning 7 games but the return of junior Cameron Turner and new head man, Denny Fugate, anything is possible and the Tigers have high hopes for this season.

 

14. June Buchanan: The Crusaders had a horrible season last year only winning 4 games,they should be improved this season but no where near making it to the region tournament.

 

15. Owsley County: The Owls had 4 wins total last season and ended the season on a 7 game losing streak but the return of several key players from a year ago could make the difference for the Owls.

 

16. Jenkins: The Cavaliers won 5 games last season including upsetting June Buchanan in the 53rd district play-in game but was bounced in the semi-finals that ended their season and with the loss of 5 seniors, 2017-18 season could potentially be worse.

 

17. Riverside Christian: Riverside picked up 5 wins last season, more than the year before,this season will probably be about the same for the Rams.

 

 

Top Players in the 14th Region

 

1. Caleb Bonny (SR G Estill County): The senior guard for the Engineers was the leading scorer last seasonat nearly 24 points a game last season returns and will have severalkey weapons to help guide the Engineers to their first ever regionchampionship.

 

2. Isaac Caudill (SR G Knott Central): The Patriots return probably one if not the best guards in the region. Isaac was the second leading scorer for the Patriots last season at 16 PPG. With Isaac running the show at Knott, the Patriots are definitely a region contender.

 

3. Devin Stone (SR G Wolfe County): The sharpest shooter in the region returns for the Wolves. Teams must key on Devin because if not he will burn you and you can’t give him an inch of day light from anywhere outside because he will drain it in your face.

 

4. Kareem McDonald (SR G Cordia): Averaged 15.2 PPG last season for the Lions. Mr. Deadly Free-Throws hooter is what you can call Kareem as he shot over 80% from the charity stripe last season.

 

5. Austin Bennett (JR G Buckhorn): As a sophomore, Austin led Buckhorn in scoring at 16 PPG. As a junior, he and the Wildcats have high expectations for the upcoming season.

 

6. Noah Back (JR G Perry Central): The junior guard returns for the Commodores. At 14 PPG game last season you wouldn’t think he’d be the guy that Coach Hoskins calls on this season. Noah can fill it up from outside as he shot 40%from 3 last season and over 75% from the charity stripe.

 

7. Tyler Dixon (SR F Leslie County): Was one of the top forwards in all of the region last season at 17 PPG. Tyler will be one of the key pieces that makes this Eagles team go.

 

8. Oumar Keita (SR C Cordia): Despite averaging 9 PPG, Oumar is considered as one of the best centers in all of the 14th region and can help the Lions make it back to the regional tournament.

 

9. JT O’Hair (JR G Estill County): This will be JT’s first year at Estill County as he transferred in from Breathitt county. As a member of the Bobcats, JT averaged 10 PPG. JT gives Estill another weapon to go along with the Doty twins,Caleb Bonny and Joe Benton.

 

10. Elijah Raglin (SR F/C Letcher Central): Elijah didn’t average much a game last season due to Torrell Carter taking the bulk of the team’s shots, Elijah will be one of the key pieces for coach Lee and the Letcher Central Cougars this coming season.

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Talked with several coaches in the 14th and that's about the list they gave me. Coach Hoskins at Perry even said that he would put Perry 4th or 5th .....

 

That’s just “coach-speak”. IMHO he doesn’t see it that way. He’s being modest, or doesn’t want to inflate his team’s egos. I agree with Wireman. The winner of the region has come out of the 53rd or 54th every year but a very few.

 

Breathitt has won somewhere around 10 titles in the 55th but none since 1996, and no one else who is presently a member of that district has a region title. Knott used to be in the 55th and won titles but they’re the 53rd now. And there’s only been 4 titles from the 56th in their history, two each from Lee and Powell.

 

So when Wireman says the region title will run through either Hazard or Hindman he has history to back him up. Other than about 14 or 15 titles (most of those won by Breathitt) the winner of the region for the last 80 years is nearly always south of the Breathitt County/Perry County border line. The Hazard/ Hindman area dominates.

 

That doesn’t mean Estill or Wolfe won’t win it. The Astros just won their first World Series since they became a franchise 55 years ago. It’s possible.

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That’s just “coach-speak”. IMHO he doesn’t see it that way. He’s being modest, or doesn’t want to inflate his team’s egos. I agree with Wireman. The winner of the region has come out of the 53rd or 54th every year but a very few.

 

Breathitt has won somewhere around 10 titles in the 55th but none since 1996, and no one else who is presently a member of that district has a region title. Knott used to be in the 55th and won titles but they’re the 53rd now. And there’s only been 4 titles from the 56th in their history, two each from Lee and Powell.

 

So when Wireman says the region title will run through either Hazard or Hindman he has history to back him up. Other than about 14 or 15 titles (most of those won by Breathitt) the winner of the region for the last 80 years is nearly always south of the Breathitt County/Perry County border line. The Hazard/ Hindman area dominates.

 

That doesn’t mean Estill or Wolfe won’t win it. The Astros just won their first World Series since they became a franchise 55 years ago. It’s possible.

 

When I get coach-speak I flush it down the toilet and start looking closer at the Coach and Program.

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That’s just “coach-speak”. IMHO he doesn’t see it that way. He’s being modest, or doesn’t want to inflate his team’s egos. I agree with Wireman. The winner of the region has come out of the 53rd or 54th every year but a very few.

 

Breathitt has won somewhere around 10 titles in the 55th but none since 1996, and no one else who is presently a member of that district has a region title. Knott used to be in the 55th and won titles but they’re the 53rd now. And there’s only been 4 titles from the 56th in their history, two each from Lee and Powell.

 

So when Wireman says the region title will run through either Hazard or Hindman he has history to back him up. Other than about 14 or 15 titles (most of those won by Breathitt) the winner of the region for the last 80 years is nearly always south of the Breathitt County/Perry County border line. The Hazard/ Hindman area dominates.

 

That doesn’t mean Estill or Wolfe won’t win it. The Astros just won their first World Series since they became a franchise 55 years ago. It’s possible.

 

 

Well when you lose players like Damon Tobler, Austin Hill (both were starters and leading scorers for Perry) and not being able to replace them it makes it that much harder to win, not saying they won't but the road to another region championship just got a little rougher for the 'Dores

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Well when you lose players like Damon Tobler, Austin Hill (both were starters and leading scorers for Perry) and not being able to replace them it makes it that much harder to win, not saying they won't but the road to another region championship just got a little rougher for the 'Dores

 

Im a 56th guy. Nothing would make be happier than if one of our members could win the region. I’m just saying there’s a lot of history and obstacles to overcome for anyone else to win it but those traditional Sweet 16 teams. Here’s hoping the Engineers can pull it off.

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Im a 56th guy. Nothing would make be happier than if one of our members could win the region. I’m just saying there’s a lot of history and obstacles to overcome for anyone else to win it but those traditional Sweet 16 teams. Here’s hoping the Engineers can pull it off.

 

It's gonna be hard for anyone but this year is more wide open as to the past year's where it has not been wide open.

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Anyone else hear, Cam Jones, 6'8 starting center for the KCC, isnt going to play this year?

 

Hadn't heard anything last month but did hear last week that he was supposedly suspended for tonight's playoff game @ Corbin?

 

If true that he isn't playing, then that's a big loss for Coach King and the Pats

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I have not said much about it but Cordia is going to be really good this year and for someone to say they won't compete is foolish they have basically all their key player back from last year and they have several more come in. They are going to be athletic and super quick. They will be young but they have ball handlers and shooters. If someone could tell me how to post a photo I can post a team photo taken yesterday ther are a couple of kids not present for doctor visit but it is complete.

Edited by True blue (and gold)
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