Ranking the Teams

 

1) Ballard

The Seventh Region’s perennial powerhouse, the Bruins have fallen just short of glory and lost to the eventual state champion each of the last two years: in a 55-58 slugfest against Trinity in the 2012 Seventh Region Championship and on a heartbreaking last-second shot to Madison Central in 2013 State Championship game. Luckily for Ballard and head coach Chris Renner, the Bruins return four of their five starters from last year’s team along with a number of contributors. For the fifth year running, the Bruins led the Seventh Region in per game scoring, pouring in an impressive 78.4 points per game during the 2012-13 campaign. Expect more of the same from an explosive Bruins offense this season.

 

Ballard’s hopes to return to the state title game begin with University of Louisville commit and reigning Seventh Region Player of the Year, Quentin Snider. The senior guard led the Bruins in scoring last year with 19.6 ppg. He’ll be helped by 6-6 forward and Butler University commit Kelan Martin, who very nearly averaged 20-10 last season (19.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg). Also returning are sophomore Malik Dow, who really came into his own as last season went on, becoming a phenomenally talented contributor; Jalen Perry, who was the Bruin’s fourth-leading scorer last season at 6.6 ppg; and Corey Douglas, a 6’ 5” junior who was his team’s second-leading rebounder last season at 3.2 rpg.

 

2) Trinity

A year removed from the school’s first state title, the Shamrocks followed up their championship season with a 28-6 season in 2012-13 and an appearance in the Seventh Region Championship game in which they lost to eventual state runners-up, Ballard. The Shamrocks lose their leading scorer, Daryl Hicks and his 16 points per game, as well as third-leading scorer James Quick (10.1 ppg). Luckily for Coach Mike Szabo and the Shamrocks, they return second-leading scorer Trey Ivory, who averaged 10.4 points per game while hitting nearly 40 percent from behind the arc. Senior forward Craig Owens also returns, who gave the Shamrocks great minutes last year, averaging 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game; the 6’3” forward was often able to hold his own last season in the paint against much taller competition.

 

As usual, defense can be expected as a hallmark of a Szabo-coached team. The Shamrocks led the Seventh Region in scoring defense for the third straight season, giving up a paltry 46.9 points per game. What is less typical but no less important for the Shamrocks could be the development of 6’10” junior forward Raymond Spalding, who played sparingly last season but will be expected to make a big impact in 2013-14.

 

3) Male

Third-year coach Larry Miller heads into this season with perhaps his best squad in his brief time on Preston Highway. Last year the gap between Ballard, Trinity and the rest of the region was noticeable. This season, the gap between Trinity and the teams following them in this ranking could be much closer, leaving the window open for Male to reach its first Seventh Region championship game since 2010. The Bulldogs have not won the Seventh since 2002, when they reached their third straight Sweet 16.

 

Losing starting guards Josh Stoner and D.J. Lambert to graduation will make Male’s effort to return to the top of the region no easy task. Leading the Bulldogs’ quest will be 6’7” junior Will Parker, who averaged 9.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season. In addition to Parker, the Bulldogs will play 6’5” Steven Julian, 6’6” Chris Leon and 6’4” Jalen Brashear, a sizeable frontcourt that could make them a tough matchup for anyone.

 

4) St. Xavier

The Tigers look to rebuild after losing four starters from a team that made the Seventh Region semifinals last year. The key to that rebuilding project begins with the play of the team’s lone returning starter: senior point guard Robert Shaw, who averaged 13.9 points and 5.5 assists per game last season and is one of the top players in the region. Replacing 6’9” center Brock Kiesler will be no easy task for Coach Kevin Klein, but 6’7” senior Daniel Cecil will have to learn quickly in a region with several talented big men.

 

5) DuPont Manual

Following a season in which they fell short of a district title and lost to archrival Male in the Seventh Region quarterfinals, the Crimsons will look to take the next step under Coach Jimmy Just. Manual figures to be the favorite in the 25th District in 2013-14, returning several key players from last year’s team. Those returners are led by 6’4” junior wing Dwayne Sutton, who averaged an impressive 10.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Among the other important returnees are 6’2” forward Trey Boyd, 6’0” guard Nick Reed, and 5’9” guard Jakory Freeman.

 

6) Eastern

It would be difficult to characterize last season’s 13-16 record as anything much more than “disappointing” for new coach David Henley. Now entering his second season at the helm, he’ll look to put the Eagles back on track. Even in a down year by Eastern’s standards, they still made the Seventh Region tournament. In order to return there, the Eagles will rely heavily on returning senior guard Austin Howard (6.2 ppg) and new transfer guard Bryce Byrd (6.2 ppg), who was previously at PRP. If 6’7” forward Trey Moses has a nice year, then Eastern should easily return to the Seventh Region Tournament.

 

7) Seneca

Once again the Redhawks find themselves in a tough battle of teams chasing Trinity in the 27th District and competing for that coveted second spot in the Seventh Region tournament. Seneca has the talent to grab that spot and will look to first-year head coach Daniel Hawkins to take them there. Coach Hawkins’ transition to head coach at a new school will be eased by the presence of one of the region’s best players, 6’6” forward Brandon Trotter, who averaged 11 points and six rebounds last season.

 

8) Waggener

Coach Bryan O’Neill enters his third year at Waggener with a load of returning talent. At the top of the list is 5’6” sophomore guard Brandon Wells, who averaged 10.5 points per game last season. He was the leader of a supremely talented freshman class that includes 6’6” forward Kevin Kirby (6.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6’6” forward Nicholas Kratholm, 6’5” forward Jaalam Hill, and 6’0” guard Tony Washington… to say nothing of seniors Rodderick Maddox and Semaj Ingram, who are two of the four returning starters for the Wildcats.

 

9) Central

There’s no denying that Coach Doug Bibby has a tough task ahead of him in 2013-14. He’ll be looking to replace nearly all of his team’s scoring after a season of great success last year in which the Yellow Jackets had a number of outstanding wins en route to compiling a 23-6 record before ultimately falling just short of Trinity in the Seventh Region semifinals. Coach Bibby has done an outstanding job at Central since moving into the Seventh Region two years ago but with only one returning varsity player (6’0” junior Brandon Johnson), it’ll take a monumental effort for Central to defend its district title. Nonetheless, expect Central to finish second in the 25th District and at least get a shot at the regional tournament.

 

10) Kentucky Country Day

Expect the Bearcats to move to the front of the “All A” discussions this year as they return several key pieces from the Seventh Region All A Tournament runner-up from last season. Coach James Booker will look for great seasons out of returning contributors Zach Lyles (12 ppg, 6 rpg), Anthony Mathis (12 ppg, 2 apg), and Colin Ferguson (8 ppg). Given their place in the 28th District with Ballard and Eastern, making the Seventh Region Tournament may be a bridge too far for this squad, but an “All A” Regional Championship could be within sight.

 

11) Christian Academy-Louisville

The Centurions may be the most difficult team to pin down in the entire Seventh Region this season. After a year in which they fell a mere five points short of making the Seventh Region Tournament in a 67-62 loss to Eastern, CAL returns just one starter, 6’6” center Max Duff. But Coach Casey Smallwood will add transfers from Trinity and Paul Dunbar as well as look forward to the return of Colton Talley after he missed last season with a knee injury.

 

12) Atherton

The Rebels look to rebuild after losing all five starters from last year’s team. Coach Thomas Wilson will look to improve on last season’s 8-16 record.

 

13) Collegiate

With longtime standout guard Andrew Steggeman and his roughly 16 points per game off to college along with most of the Titans’ other contributors from last season, Coach Dionte Mucker comes into his first year as head coach looking to build for the future.

 

14) Shawnee

The Golden Eagles figure to be much improved from their difficult 3-28 season as Coach Carl White enters his second year at the helm.

 

15) Portland Christian

The loss of Trenton Scroggy to graduation leaves a lot of questions for the Eagles as they enter the 2013-14 season. Last year’s team compiled a 13-10 record and Scroggy was an all-region selection. Portland Christian will unfortunately take a step back from that level this season as they try and rebuild.

 

16) St. Francis

Former University of Louisville basketball player Tony Williams takes over as head coach of the Wyverns, who are coming off an 8-18 season.

 

17) Brown

Coach Jeffrey Kemelgor enters his second season looking to improve on a tough 4-22 campaign in 2012-13.

 

 

 

Top Players

 

1) Quentin Snider – Ballard

Snider recently surprised local fans by backing off his commitment to Illinois on signing day and committing to the University of Louisville. He’ll enter his final season of high school basketball as the favorite to win Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball award and will have a good shot given he’s the top player on the state’s top team. In 2012-13 he averaged 19.3 points and 4.5 assists per game. He’s an excellent shooter and also capable of blowing past defenders to get to the rim.

 

2) Kelan Martin – Ballard

The Butler University commit is coming off a 2012-13 campaign in which he averaged an impressive 19 ppg and 10 rpg. At 6’6”, he’s not a true big man but he’s got a sturdy build and is startlingly quick on his feet. He has an ability to move around the floor that is unmatched among frontcourt players in the Seventh Region and it makes him a nightmare matchup for any opponent.

 

3) Raymond Spalding – Trinity

The 6’10” junior played sparingly last season (2.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg) but figures to be a huge part of Coach Szabo’s plans for this year. His length is highlighted by an ability to move well outside the paint and play like a wing. His development could make-or-break the Shamrocks’ hopes to steal the Seventh region crown back from Ballard.

 

4) Brandon Trotter – Seneca

The 6’6” forward for the Redhawks had an outstanding 2012-13 in which he averaged 11 points and six rebounds per game. With an outstanding athleticism to complement his size, Trotter can move around the floor to create his own looks.

 

5) Robert Shaw – St. Xavier

Shaw is St. Xavier’s lone returning starter and the 5’10” point guard will be expected to lead the Tigers’ efforts to remain among the Seventh Region’s best. Shaw averaged 13.9 points per game while dishing out an impressive 5.5 assists. He shot 32.7 percent from behind the arc last season; he could prove to be even better from deep this season.

 

6) Trey Ivory – Trinity

Point guard Trey Ivory averaged 10.4 points per game last season for the Shamrocks and was the team’s most reliable three-point shooter, averaging 38.1 percent from deep. With the departure of Daryl Hicks and James Quick, much will depend on whether Ivory can compensate and help bring new replacements along.

 

7) Malik Dow – Ballard

In his freshman season, Malik Dow truly made a mark. He came on later in the year and ended up averaging 4.6 points per game and 3.2 rebounds. Now a starter, Dow will have plenty of talent around him to help him continue to develop.

 

8) Will Parker – Male

The 6’7” junior forward enters his senior year at Male with the expectation of making some noise in the Seventh Region. He shot over 50 percent from the field last season for an average of 9.4 points per game. Look for those per game numbers to climb as Male graduated their two talented guards from last season, which should make the Bulldogs more reliant on the talented and experienced Parker.

 

9) Jalen Perry – Ballard

Perry averaged only 6.2 points per game last year, but with the departure of LaVonne Holland, Perry will see a lot more of the ball. Despite not averaging as many points as Ballard’s “big three” last season, Perry shot an impressive 43 percent from the field. That kind of consistency will lead to even bigger numbers for Perry in 2013-14.

 

10) Craig Owens – Trinity

When Craig Owens is at his best, he provides a sturdy, workmanlike attitude that leads to rebounds and points around the rim for the Shamrocks. He has the strength to play around the rim against players much taller than his own 6’3” frame. In 2012-13, he averaged 7.1 points per game and 4.7 rebounds. The increased presence of Raymond Spalding could provide Owens with the necessary space to have an outstanding senior season.

 

 

Postseason Predictions

 

25th District

Winner: Manual

Runner-Up: Central

 

26th District

Winner: Male

Runner-Up: St. Xavier

 

27th District

Winner: Trinity

Runner-Up: Seneca

 

28th District

Winner: Ballard

Runner-Up: Eastern

 

Seventh Region Champion

Ballard

 

 

Dates to Remember

 

Jan. 13-16, 2014 – Louisville Invitational Tournament at Valley High School

Jan. 22-24, 2014 – Seventh Region “All A” Tournament

Feb. 24-March 1, 2014 – Seventh Region Tournament at Valley High School

Job well done Getslow. 7th region = the gauntlet.

^ Typically is. That said, outside of the Ballard Bruins, I see a lot more question marks than usual in the Seventh. Over the past 10 years or so we've been able to look at the Seventh and just see incredible talent and know that it'll be a region full of statewide Top-25ers.

 

Lots of young teams that will be really fun to see develop this year (I'm specifically looking at Waggener). Lots of teams replacing more than one big-time senior (Male, St. Xavier, Central, Christian Academy). And at least a couple replacing a player who had been their engine for at least the last couple seasons (Collegiate and Portland Christian).

 

Male and Trinity maybe could contend... but it's going to rely on some serious play from some seriously unproven guys.

Job well done Getslow. 7th region = the gauntlet.

 

Always hard to advance out of this region.