12th Region will be between Wayne County, Southwestern and Boyle County.

 

Lincoln County and Mercer County will be dark horses. Those are my top 3 for now though.

 

I don't really disagree with your top 5 for the 12th region. But how do you justify putting Boyle with Soutwest and Wayne as a favorite? I think those first 2 are clear favorites with the next 3 (including Boyle) being dark horses. Honestly, I'd probably give Lincoln a slight edge over Boyle and Mercer.

Prior to the Burns kid tearing his ACL, I would have said Fleming County might dominate the 16th. Without him, they say he might be back in December but I think that might be wishful thinking, their low post presence is weak and I might give the nod to Ashland.

I don't really disagree with your top 5 for the 12th region. But how do you justify putting Boyle with Soutwest and Wayne as a favorite? I think those first 2 are clear favorites with the next 3 (including Boyle) being dark horses. Honestly, I'd probably give Lincoln a slight edge over Boyle and Mercer.

 

I have had an opportunity to see Boyle play some over the summer and if Colton Elkins stays healthy then I believe the combo of Colton Elkins and Hagen Tyler will be too much for everyone else in the region not named Wayne County and Southwestern. Boyle should be deeper than they have been in the past and more athletic than past teams as well. The expectations are high in Boyle County. I think people will be surprised with Boyle County. Especially if they can talk Micah Miniard into playing this season.

14th region Cordia, Perry Central, and Knott Central. (Dark Horse Hazard)

 

 

15th region -Johnson Central is the favorite but Lawrence, Shelby Valley, East Ridge, and Sheldon Clark all teams with great chances.

It'll be interesting to see how they fare. If the Miniard kid doesn't play, I think it's a stretch to put them with the top 2. If he does, with all of that size, I can see predicting separation over Lincoln and Mercer. Without him, not saying it can't happen, but I can't justify it based on returning players for those 5 teams. Again, I think Lincoln is more balanced, more experienced and they have years of chemistry. I see Boyle and Mercer as vying for the 4th spot. Different strengths but lot of unknowns for those 2 teams. I'd even throw West Jessamine in that mix as well.

Prior to the Burns kid tearing his ACL, I would have said Fleming County might dominate the 16th. Without him, they say he might be back in December but I think that might be wishful thinking, their low post presence is weak and I might give the nod to Ashland.

There's a rumor that Dixson has moved along to Lexington. If that's true, Ashland is just the same as the rest of the region.

It'll be interesting to see how they fare. If the Miniard kid doesn't play, I think it's a stretch to put them with the top 2. If he does, with all of that size, I can see predicting separation over Lincoln and Mercer. Without him, not saying it can't happen, but I can't justify it based on returning players for those 5 teams. Again, I think Lincoln is more balanced, more experienced and they have years of chemistry. I see Boyle and Mercer as vying for the 4th spot. Different strengths but lot of unknowns for those 2 teams. I'd even throw West Jessamine in that mix as well.

 

I didn't put Boyle in the top 2. I have them at 3. Lincoln doesn't have anyone to guard Elkins or Tyler.

I didn't put Boyle in the top 2. I have them at 3. Lincoln doesn't have anyone to guard Elkins or Tyler.

 

I realize you had them at third, but I thought you said it would be a 3 way race between those (3) teams?

Along the same lines, one could argue that Boyle has no one that can guard Taylor or Conway, and that Lincoln's supporting cast is better. Lincoln has 4 proven players whereas I think Boyle really only has 1 in Tyler - basing that on quality of returning (varsity) contributors.

I'll take Clay County in the 13th right now, with Bell County, Knox Central, and Jackson County closely following.

I realize you had them at third, but I thought you said it would be a 3 way race between those (3) teams?

Along the same lines, one could argue that Boyle has no one that can guard Taylor or Conway, and that Lincoln's supporting cast is better. Lincoln has 4 proven players whereas I think Boyle really only has 1 in Tyler - basing that on quality of returning (varsity) contributors.

 

Boyle did a fine job against Taylor and Conway last year and they'll give them fits again this year. You won't be able to play zone against Boyle this year and if Lincoln goes man to man on Boyle then Tyler and Elkins will destroy Lincoln. You'll see.

I realize you had them at third, but I thought you said it would be a 3 way race between those (3) teams?

Along the same lines, one could argue that Boyle has no one that can guard Taylor or Conway, and that Lincoln's supporting cast is better. Lincoln has 4 proven players whereas I think Boyle really only has 1 in Tyler - basing that on quality of returning (varsity) contributors.

 

I could be wrong but isn't Boyle 5-1 in their last 6 games against Lincoln?

Made a list earlier (post #7 from March 25), here are the modifications:

 

2 - Hopkinsville (stock: neutral)

5 - Taylor County (stock: up... I'll throw them in because of Goodin's summer)

6 - PRP (stock: neutral)

7 - Ballard (stock: neutral)

9 - Holmes (stock: down... transfer of Moeves')

11 - Scott County (stock: up... transfer of Long, loss of Cunningham, Green from Henry Clay)

12 - Wayne County (stock: neutral)

13 - Clay County* (stock: up... transfer of Allen, transfer of Miller to Harlan Independent)

14 - Cordia* (stock: up... transfer of Hines, Cunningham, et al)

15 - Johnson Central (stock: down... transfer of Carr to Shelby Valley)

Prior to the Burns kid tearing his ACL, I would have said Fleming County might dominate the 16th. Without him, they say he might be back in December but I think that might be wishful thinking, their low post presence is weak and I might give the nod to Ashland.

 

Might be late on this but didn't a FC kid transfer to Mason Co after that injury?

The 9th region will come down to 4 teams:

 

Holmes

Newcath

Dixie Heights

Covcath

 

Any of those teams could win the region and I wouldn't be surprised. Here's why:

 

Holmes- return the best player in the region (and arguably in the state for his class) in James Bolden. Return 6'5 Quinton Chames to anchor the front line. Have a JV group coming up that only lost 3 games last year and won the NKY JV Regional. Outside shooting is the biggest question. Duo of Armani Housely and Daequon Glover will be asked to fill that role. Will add arguably the best sophomore in the 9th in Markel McClendon, who transferred to Holmes after spring break last school year. LOADED with guard depth. Coach Booher will be able to do a lot of running and pressing this year.

 

Newcath- return the best front court in NKY and two top 5 players in Drew McDonald and Jake Schulte. Add Tanner and Grant Moeves to the roster from Walton. I believe they were the two leading scorers for the Bearcats last year. Both give the Breds the outside shooting that they lacked without them. Also have one of the best pg's in not only nky, but also the state (for his class) in Zack Pangallo. The Breds will have the best starting 5 in NKY. While the above 5 won't agree, the biggest question is their depth. I personally think they have very good talent with Jake Smith, arguably the best soph in the 9th in Ben Weyer, and Mac Franzen, but that group is unproven...outside of Weyer, to an extent.

 

Dixie Heights- return top 2 player in the region in Brandon Hatton. Return a junior class that has had a great summer on the AAU circuit and grown a lot in Liam Rabe, Austin Schreck, Mitch Bolin, Andrew Hedger and Matt Isbell. Nick Niehaus health is a question as he had elbow surgery over the summer, but the addition of 6'4 athlete Drew Moore could be a HUGE addition at both ends of the court. Dixie will be able to put out some long, athletic lineups that give Coach Chevy a lot of different options on what he wants to do defensively.

 

Covcath- return top 3 player in the region in Nick Ruthsatz. Return a solid group from the JV level last year in Matt Schumate, Cooper Theobald, and Grant Romes. Senior class will return with more experience. Mark Schult has improved a lot over the summer and will be a workhorse down low, despite being undersized. Nate Wichmann and Ben Heppler will give the Colonels some toughness at both ends. Bo Schuh returns as a junior and if allowed to play the 3, could have a big season. Received a big boost with the addition of freshman Cole Von Handorf, who started varsity last season at Villa. Will take pressure off Ruthsatz as secondary ball handler.

 

I think Holmes and Newcath are the favorites, but both Covcath and Dixie have the pieces in place to play "spoiler" and get to Rupp.

Might be late on this but didn't a FC kid transfer to Mason Co after that injury?

 

Yeah, I will definitely be backtracking on the Ashland pick also if its true that the Dixson kid from Ashland has indeed transferred to Lexington Bryan Station.