Basketball season for 2013/2014 should provide another exciting year. What should we expect from Bracken County? Remember, please be constructive.

My Polar Bears lose a lot from a team that finished 2012-13 pretty strong, winning 7 of their last 10. Four of last year's top six contributors are gone: leading scorer Philip Jefferson, top rebounder Eli Florer, effective perimeter scorer Austin Ray & probably the team's overall top player Grant Crawford. Coach Persinger will have a tough time replacing what that quartet brought to the table.

 

Having said that, two key players return. Senior-to-be Nate Haight, a skinny but athletic guard, can score in a variety of ways. Solid player who gives consistent effort. But the straw that will stir the drink for the next four years will be 6'0 freshman guard Austin Crawford. His big brother Grant was probably the best all around player on last year's team, but even as an 8th grader, Austin was the most talented player on the roster IMO. Crawford has a good handle, nice touch from the perimeter & is very effective in penetration. If he can develop the defensive skills of his big brother, watch out. He is one of the finest young players in the 10th Region. A pair of senior-to-be forwards will be counted upon as well, in Scott Fite & Steven Cummins. Cummins saw quite a bit of time last year, but both will be used much more in 2013-14.

 

I have to think depth will be an issue for the Bears, but they'll have really good guard play in Crawford & Haight.

 

Bracken's schedule will feature consecutive tournaments around Christmastime. They're playing in a tournament at Bellevue on December 20th-21st & then they host the annual Bracken County Holiday Classic. Participants in this year's field include: Bracken County, Carroll County, Newport, Beechwood, Nicholas County, Pendleton County, Pike County Central & Burgin.

 

Bears start the year playing 4 out of 5 at home, including its first tango with Augusta on December 10th in Brooksville. Polar Bears will start 2014 with 3 consecutive road trips--Pendleton County on January 3rd, Model on January 4th, & Highlands on January 7th. Other non-10th Region opponents will be Bath County at home on December 3rd, at Lloyd on December 17th, vs. Bellevue on January 8th, vs. Beechwood on January 18th, vs. Grant County on January 31st, vs. Greenup County on February 8th & vs. East Jessamine on February 14th.

 

As always, Bracken will be in the All "A" at Campbell County Middle School, where they await the winner of Paris/Calvary Christian. Polar Bears will host the 39th District Tournament this season.

Edited May 6, 201313 yr by Randy Parker

Thanks for the preview. Always fun to watch the Polar Bears play. They always play 110%.

They do graduate some nice players, but their youth was rather impressive. Love the play of the young Crawford boy. He logged a lot of minutes last year. Didn't he play frosh, JV and varsity at least early in the year?

Thanks for the preview. Always fun to watch the Polar Bears play. They always play 110%.

They do graduate some nice players, but their youth was rather impressive. Love the play of the young Crawford boy. He logged a lot of minutes last year. Didn't he play frosh, JV and varsity at least early in the year?

 

I know he played some JV. Not sure about Frosh.

Thanks for the preview. Always fun to watch the Polar Bears play. They always play 110%.

They do graduate some nice players, but their youth was rather impressive. Love the play of the young Crawford boy. He logged a lot of minutes last year. Didn't he play frosh, JV and varsity at least early in the year?

 

The time or two I saw him last year he was the smoothest player on the court. As an 8th grader.

The time or two I saw him last year he was the smoothest player on the court. As an 8th grader.

 

 

 

Not making any predictions on the season for Bracken but the Crawford kid is worth the price of admission.

Austin is playing for Shining Star this summer. Got the chance to see him play at KBA a couple of weeks ago. He is a very nice player!

Highlands is gonna whip Da Bears.

Highlands is gonna whip Da Bears.

 

A little early for the trash talk, isn't it? LOL

My Polar Bears lose a lot from a team that finished 2012-13 pretty strong, winning 7 of their last 10. Four of last year's top six contributors are gone: leading scorer Philip Jefferson, top rebounder Eli Florer, effective perimeter scorer Austin Ray & probably the team's overall top player Grant Crawford. Coach Persinger will have a tough time replacing what that quartet brought to the table.

 

Having said that, two key players return. Senior-to-be Nate Haight, a skinny but athletic guard, can score in a variety of ways. Solid player who gives consistent effort. But the straw that will stir the drink for the next four years will be 6'0 freshman guard Austin Crawford. His big brother Grant was probably the best all around player on last year's team, but even as an 8th grader, Austin was the most talented player on the roster IMO. Crawford has a good handle, nice touch from the perimeter & is very effective in penetration. If he can develop the defensive skills of his big brother, watch out. He is one of the finest young players in the 10th Region. A pair of senior-to-be forwards will be counted upon as well, in Scott Fite & Steven Cummins. Cummins saw quite a bit of time last year, but both will be used much more in 2013-14.

 

I have to think depth will be an issue for the Bears, but they'll have really good guard play in Crawford & Haight.

 

Bracken's schedule will feature consecutive tournaments around Christmastime. They're playing in a tournament at Bellevue on December 20th-21st & then they host the annual Bracken County Holiday Classic. Participants in this year's field include: Bracken County, Carroll County, Newport, Beechwood, Nicholas County, Pendleton County, Pike County Central & Burgin.

 

Bears start the year playing 4 out of 5 at home, including its first tango with Augusta on December 10th in Brooksville. Polar Bears will start 2014 with 3 consecutive road trips--Pendleton County on January 3rd, Model on January 4th, & Highlands on January 7th. Other non-10th Region opponents will be Bath County at home on December 3rd, at Lloyd on December 17th, vs. Bellevue on January 8th, vs. Beechwood on January 18th, vs. Grant County on January 31st, vs. Greenup County on February 8th & vs. East Jessamine on February 14th.

 

As always, Bracken will be in the All "A" at Campbell County Middle School, where they await the winner of Paris/Calvary Christian. Polar Bears will host the 39th District Tournament this season.

 

RP, where did you get your schedule information from? Is there a website that has other schools schedule for 2013-14? Thanks

RP, where did you get your schedule information from? Is there a website that has other schools schedule for 2013-14? Thanks

 

A good friend who would know gave me that information.

 

I'm not aware of anywhere online where you can get the schedule yet.

A little early for the trash talk, isn't it? LOL

 

They're gonna make your AD wish he was back at Highlands.

I'm told Austin Crawford has had an outstanding summer thus far. Good news for the Polar Bears.