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

The defending 12th Region champions are favorites to return to Rupp again this year. They return 4 starters in Perkins(Sr), Woods(Jr), Stearns(So), and Blevins(So). Logan Gardner(Jr) will probably be the addition to the starting lineup. The Cardinals will probably not have a very deep bench, but that has never stopped Coach Rodney Woods in the past. He made it to Rupp in 2011 with basically a team that never substituted.

The defending 12th Region champions are favorites to return to Rupp again this year. They return 4 starters in Perkins(Sr), Woods(Jr), Stearns(So), and Blevins(So). Logan Gardner(Jr) will probably be the addition to the starting lineup. The Cardinals will probably not have a very deep bench, but that has never stopped Coach Rodney Woods in the past. He made it to Rupp in 2011 with basically a team that never substituted.

 

Very true. That team went 6 deep.

Agree, they have to be the favorite with almost everyone back. Great coaching. He seems to always get the most out of his talent. However, I don't think they're a heavy favorite. I think there will be at least 3 more teams that will be capable of beating them on any given night (if not playing at Wayne).

Agree, they have to be the favorite with almost everyone back. Great coaching. He seems to always get the most out of his talent. However, I don't think they're a heavy favorite. I think there will be at least 3 more teams that will be capable of beating them on any given night (if not playing at Wayne).

I agree they will not be heavy favorites. The loss of Dagan Shelton to graduation will hurt them more than people may realize. He was the true leader of that team that did a little of everything to contribute to last years success.

Will the consolidation with Monticello provide any talent for the team? I watched Monticello play last year and they weren't very good, but did have a lot of young players.

Will the consolidation with Monticello provide any talent for the team? I watched Monticello play last year and they weren't very good, but did have a lot of young players.

You would think that adding basketball experience to your team would help, but I don't think the kids from Monticello will contribute. I could be wrong though.

If there's a coach in Kentucky who gets more out of what he has than Rodney Woods, I don't know if I've seen them.

I agree with "First" and "SHS Future", while WC would have to be considered the favorite after Southwestern's off-season personnel losses, there has to be a question as to who can supply the strength, toughness and leadership that Dagan Shelton provided? Plus, Kyle Gehring gave them good depth off of the bench and he's gone.

 

The plus for the Cardinals is that their kids were young last year so improvement is very likely for all of their four returning starters. The question is how much?

 

Peyton Woods averaged 17+ last year (with a high of 44) and Corey Stearns 15+ (plus 7 RPG) and both are expected by most to be the most likely to improve their game the most. Trey Blevins averaged 12+ but needs to play stronger and Jason Perkins averaged 7+. If those two can up their game and the team controls the tempo of the game, making their opponents play at their tempo they should do well. I'm interested to especially see what Perkins does once he gets into basketball shape - he's certainly been impressive on the football field (second in the state in receiving yardage).

 

They are relatively small, but Stearns and Perkins sky and all do a good job of rebounding for their size.

 

Bottom line is what was said above. Coach Woods does usually get the most of his players. WC won the Region last year because they played their best when it counted. They will be hard to beat if they are allowed to control the tempo. We'll see how mentally tough they are with Shelton departed.

Size and depth is usually one of the biggest things hurting Wayne County. How do they stack up in each of those categories this year? Also, when did Monticello consolidate? Are there any kids coming in from their program who'll possibly have a role (or at least have a shot at carving one out) on this year's team?

Also, when did Monticello consolidate? Are there any kids coming in from their program who'll possibly have a role (or at least have a shot at carving one out) on this year's team?

 

Monticello closed this summer so this is the first year with merged programs. It really is yet to be seen what kind of players Monticello will send over.

I believe they have an 8th grader or freshman point guard that came from Monticello that will have time to grow and develop in the program. I have seen the Monticello middle school talent the last 2 years and I want to say he transferred to Wayne County last year before the consolidation. I don't know his name but I remember being impressed with his play when he was in the 6th and 7th grade.

 

He's the only one I rememebr but that is not to say the rest of them didn't have talent or an opportunity to play and compete for Wayne County.