Ranking the 11th:

 

1. Scott County:

Another year, another preseason #1 for Billy Hicks’ Scott County Cardinals. With a few familiar faces returning in Trent Gilbert, Tony Martini, Seth Crank, and Dylan Portwood joining forces with newcomers like 7’0 Raekwon Long and smooth wing Teddy Ware, the Cards look to return to Rupp. One of the great unknowns for this team is who will be running the point against some of the more tenacious pressure defenses that the 11th will throw out.

 

2. Lexington Catholic:

It seems as though it’s been awhile since the Lexington Catholic Knights and Scott County have occupied the first and second slots in the preseason rankings. This year’s edition will be led by 6’5, do-it-all wing Tanner Johnson. How they replace the production lost when big man Jack Whitman graduated and moved on to William & Mary might be an indicator of just how far this team can go.

 

3. Lafayette:

The odds on favorite as the best of the Lexington-Fayette Publics, third year coach Mike Mendenhall’s squad is led by Rice commit Jackson Davis, whose been a 6’9 unstoppable force during most of his time in the 11th. How quickly their guard play comes together and whether or not a young Sophomore class can meet expectations will determine just how good the Generals can be.

 

4. Henry Clay:

If there has been a team with a worse offseason than the Blue Devils, I don’t know of them. Darien Tichenor graduated, and that was expected to be the extent of their losses. Instead, Trey Grundy, Christen Cunningham, and Teddy Ware all need to be replaced as well. It will be up to Jordan Green and Jeremiah Tisdale to make up for what’s been lost, but I don’t think anyone realistically expects those two alone to be able to do so. Some other players will have to develop in a hurry, but who will they be?

 

5. Franklin County:

Could be one of the most underrated teams in the region, but I’ll buck the trend and slot them at five. The Flyers have two more than capable players in Rylan Rowe and Lorenzo McCaskell, who are two of four returning starters. Last year’s squad ended the season with a tough loss to Madison Central in regional play, but that should only serve as motivation for this season.

 

6. Bryan Station:

Tons of talented guards filled with potential are on the roster in Marcellous Washington, Daquice Allen, Jordan Henry, and C.J. Walker. Whether or not the Defenders have the type of size to balance out their roster will determine just how good this team can be and/or maybe determinative of the type of break-neck pace they’ll have to play.

 

7. Woodford County:

Don’t underestimate Coach Scott Hundley, a Coach who gets the most out of his talent. At his disposal is scoring wizard Eli Bogges, the latest in a long line of unquestioned top-10 talents playing under Hundley at Woodford County.

 

8. Lexington Christian Academy:

Matt Rose is the jewel of a talented junior class. Joining him is fellow junior Brad Calipari. The Eagles’ eighth grade team won their KBA division in 2012, so the development of this year’s freshman class is worth watching. At any rate, however up-and-coming they may seem at the moment, they are probably still a year away.

 

9. Tates Creek:

Big man Jordan Fucci will anchor what looks to be another trademark Breeden team. Expect more surgical precision in offensive sets, physical man-to-man pressure, and a relentless attack on the backboards for this year’s Commodore squad.

 

10. Paul Laurence Dunbar:

Last year Coach Scott Chalk inherited a talented roster and had a pleasant surprise in freshman Darius Williams. This year, William Gary is no longer suiting up, but a senior laden team will still be there to support Williams, who is making his case as one of the top collegiate prospects in the class of 2016.

 

11. Madison Central:

A year removed from the State Championship, this year’s Indians squad will struggle early as they try to find a way to replace 95% of the team’s scoring from last year. Returning are Demarcus George and Sam Jones, who should provide a better-than-anticipated foundation for a squad who will probably take some lumps early before rounding into form late.

 

12. Madison Southern:

In a year where the school has a number of great athletes who excel in other sports, how much the group can accomplish on the hardwood remains to be seen.

 

13. Frankfort:

A school that usually has a few athletes, the development of this year’s team under a new Head Coach is only hampered by the success the football team is currently experiencing.

 

14. Western Hills:

Look for Coach Geoff Cody to force kids to acclimate to a new team identity or find a spot on the bench, however, this year could be a building experience.

 

15. Berea:

Returning three starters means they may be expected to do more than usual, but being a small school in the 11th is no easy task.

 

16. Sayre:

Could be in for a rough year considering they share a district with #1 Scott County, #4 Henry Clay, and #6 Bryan Station.

 

17. Model:

Last year’s run to the All A was memorable, but with the amount of talent lost to graduation at such a small school, expecting big things again this year might be asking too much.

 

 

 

 

Super 16 Players:

 

1. Jackson Davis, Lafayette:

Rice commit will man the middle for the preseason’s top LFCPS team.

 

2. Jordan Green, Henry Clay:

The lone returner of the “Big 3” will be expected to shoulder a huge load this season.

 

3. Trent Gilbert, Scott County:

Sharpshooter sports a 37% clip from distance and an 86% clip from the free throw line.

 

4. Tanner Johnson, Lexington Catholic:

Versatile big fits the mold of past Knight greats. A summer with the Travelers only raises his ceiling.

 

5. Marcellous Washington, Bryan Station:

A great guard in a program loaded with them.

 

6. Eli Bogges, Woodford County:

Hundley’s newest star, Bogges can light up the scoreboard in a big way.

 

7. Rylan Rowe, Franklin County:

Two guard who can lead the Flyers’ program to new heights.

 

8. Jordan Fucci, Tates Creek:

Skilled big-man will anchor the middle for the Commodores.

 

9. Matt Rose, Lexington Christian Academy:

Rangy Junior is getting some serious Division 1 looks.

 

10. Darius Williams, Paul Laurence Dunbar:

Making his case as one of the best players in the State’s 2016 class.

 

11. Raekwon Long, Scott County:

If he realizes his potential, we’ll be talking about how this rating for the 7'0 prospect is grossly low.

 

12. Jeremiah Tisdale, Henry Clay:

Underrated guard whose role on this year’s team has increased exponentially over the summer.

 

13. Lorenzo McCaskell, Franklin County:

Athletic wing who forms one of the best 1-2 punches in the region with Rylan Rowe.

 

14. Teddy Ware, Scott County:

A shooter whose open looks should only increase when sharing a backcourt with Trent Gilbert.

 

15. Lance Blakley, Lafayette:

Will be asked to play a larger role and could be the key to how far the Generals go this season.

 

16. Jordan Henry, Bryan Station:

Yet another great Bryan Station guard.

 

 

 

 

Questions To Be Answered:

 

Berea returns three starters and scheduled few 11th Region teams. Can the Pirates post a winning record and compete for a shot at the regional tournament or are the numbers at the two Madison County public schools too much to overcome?

 

Will Bryan Station be able to find the right combination of size and speed to maximize their potential or are the Defenders' better off creating havoc with an up-tempo game and relentless full court pressure?

 

Is Franklin County the most underrated team in the region? The Flyers return four starters, including two Super 16 players in Rylan Rowe and Lorenzo McCaskell-- could this be one of the more dangerous groups in the 11th?

 

How will Henry Clay respond to such a tumultuous offseason filled with defections and can the Blue Devils withstand early losses that could harm the team's psyche even further?

 

Will Lafayette be the city school to beat this year, and if so, how will the Generals, specifically the Sophomores being asked to fill bigger roles, respond to a grueling 11th Region schedule and a variety of opponents who can do different things to expose any potential weaknesses?

 

Does Lexington Catholic have the kind of athleticism that is usually required to make a deep run at State should the Knights advance?

 

Is Lexington Christian Academy a year away from big things or are the Eagles capable as things currently stand?

 

Is it dangerous to underrate two teams as well-coached as Madison Central and Tates Creek, especially considering that the Commodores return Jordan Fucci and the Indians have a group that gained valuable experience practicing against last year's State Championship squad and come into the year with low expectations?

 

Madison Southern has a team of athletes featuring soccer star Tanner Kidwell and football phenom Damian Harris, but do the Eagles' have the basketball skill to pull off some major upsets?

 

Model Academy and Sayre are great academic schools who each have had some success on the hardwood to be proud of as well, but are Patriots and Spartans' respective numbers too small to compete for much more than the occasional All-A?

 

Does Paul Laurence Dunbar have the region's best kept secret in 2016 Wing Darius Williams, and in a class loaded with seniors, has the Bulldogs' window for competing shut if they fall short this season?

 

How will Scott County gel as a team-- specifically, can the Cardinals succeed with someone other than Gilbert or Ware running the offense's point and/or will they need to resort to taking Gilbert or Ware out of the roles on the wings that they seem more comfortable in if they are pressed at the point position?

 

Will the Capital City’s newest coaches, Western Hills’ Geoff Cody and Frankfort’s Nicholas Barton, be able to put their own stamp on the Wolverines and Panthers’ respective programs and see immediate success?

 

Will Woodford County's Scott Hundley again be able to work his magic and get the most out of his team, and will Eli Bogess' scoring prowess alone be enough to take the Yellow Jackets where they want to go?

 

 

 

 

Circle Your Calendars:

 

 

Inter-Regional Games:

12/10/13 – Bryan Station @ Henry Clay

12/13/13 – Franklin County @ Woodford County

1/7/14 – Lexington Catholic @ Lexington Christian

1/10/14 – Scott County @ Henry Clay

1/11/14 – Henry Clay @ Woodford County

1/24/14 – Woodford County @ Bryan Station

2/4/14 – Lexington Catholic @ Paul Laurence Dunbar

2/8/14 – Lexington Catholic @ Lafayette

2/15/14 – Lexington Catholic @ Scott County

2/18/14 – Henry Clay @ Lafayette

 

Intra-Regional Games:

12/2/13 – Scott County @ Ballard

12/6/13 – Henry Clay vs. Perry County Central @ Tates Creek

12/7/13 – Lexington Catholic @ Cordia

12/14/13 – Lexington Christian vs. Shelby Valley @ Scott County

1/3/14 – Paul Laurence Dunbar vs. Hopkinsville @ Muhlenburg County

1/16/14 – Mason County @ Lexington Catholic

1/22/14 – Male @ Scott County

1/25/14 – Henry Clay vs. Hopkinsville @ Montgomery County

2/8/14 – Scott County vs. Trinity @ Lafayette

2/21/14 – Lexington Catholic @ Wayne County

 

 

 

 

41st District:

Frankfort:

Last year’s Panthers squad went 7-21, losing to Franklin County in the first round of district play. With both Franklin County and Woodford County considered to be top 10 caliber teams in the 11th, the sledding gets no easier for new Head Coach Nicholas Barton.

 

A look at the KHSAA rosters show a number of players who dressed varsity last season eligible to return for this season, so it will be interesting to see how Barton uses this to put his own touches on the program in his first year.

 

Like many other teams in the 11th, Frankfort’s gridiron squad saw a deep run in this year’s playoffs, so expecting the team to be operating at full capacity and clicking on all cylinders early in the year may be too ambitious, but look for the squad to round into form as their football players get in basketball shape. This will be especially crucial for a Class A school like Frankfort who is already working with fewer numbers than most other schools in the area and are also likely to put in a new system with the hiring of a new Head Coach.

 

 

Franklin County:

The Flyers look to improve on last year’s district runner up finish, and appear to have the foundation for a solid team in place. They have four returning starters from last year’s team that played a very tough schedule and should be battle-tested as they enter their Senior campaign. Leading the way is shooting guard Rylan Rowe, who is widely viewed as a top 10 type talent in the region, and his running-mate, Super 16 small forward Lorenzo McCaskell. Joining them are point guard Ryan Schneider and power forward Chris Roberts.

 

Expecting more wins from the Flyers this season seems to be the norm, as the group of returnees are both athletic and experienced. Look for Franklin County to play a lot of kids this year, as some expect that the team will go as many as 8-9 players deep, and that should allow some of the younger guys to gain experience while keeping everyone fresh as the year progresses.

 

Like many other teams in the 11th, Franklin County’s gridiron squad saw a deep run in this year’s playoffs, so expecting the team to be operating at their peak and clicking on all cylinders early in the year may be too ambitious, but look for the squad to round into form as their football players get in basketball shape.

 

 

Western Hills:

Wolverines’ Coach Geoff Cody is a throwback coach who puts a team on the floor with the expectation that they give all-out effort and compete. Effort is expected and there is no reason not to give all you have, as he has been quoted as telling his players: “I have told you since Day 1 that I will never coach your effort. Effort is expected. Our motto is ‘Compete. Whatever it takes’.

 

Cody says that he is constantly asking his team to compete and pushing them to get to the next level, something he knows a little about considering his playing career extended past his days at Knott County Central High School and into some of the more successful teams to ever take the floor at Alice Lloyd College (my words, not his).

 

There is reason for optimism with this year’s Western Hills squad, as Cody can likely play a number of combinations. Macauley Hurst is expected to man the point guard position early; he offers a combination of solid ball-handling, intelligence, and the ability to be the “coach on the floor” that so many look for out of their point. Zhavaughn Reed is an athletic wing with upside, and Cody envisions him as a player who is just scratching the surface of his potential. Chase Mahoney is a high-motor guy and someone whose senior leadership and work ethic can serve as an example for others. Kory Waller and Kyle Fisher are expected to man the post positions, and their effort in the pre-season has drawn the praise of Coach Cody. Willie Walker, Michael Hatfield, Keaton Anderson, and Patrick Foley mix into the rotation as well, potentially even working their way into starting roles.

 

From conversations, it is apparent that Cody expects his team to push themselves and get better, focusing on improving themselves as opposed to focusing on what other teams do. It’s also apparent that Cody hopes his team can take the next step in building Western Hills, and that he loves coaching this year’s squad.

 

Coach Cody is quoted as saying: “If you want what you’ve never had, you have to be willing to do what you’ve never done”. These guys have not played in a regional tournament and our goal is to be playing in the region and in order to do that we have to “compete & do whatever it takes”.

 

 

Woodford County:

It’s no secret that Coach Scott Hundley is one of the hottest names in coaching, not only in the Bluegrass Region, but in the state as a whole. Considering the former Mr. Basketball at Scott County High School and Vanderbilt Commodore’s success at Woodford County, it’s easy to see why. Last year’s squad went 16-15 before battling their hearts out in a 10 point loss to Lexington Catholic in the first game of the 11th Region tournament. The previous season’s team went 22-13 and made it to the regional finals before losing to Scott County, and likely would have been a much better squad but for the injury to star player Jay Johnson that cut into most of his senior season.

 

This season’s Yellow Jackets’ ball club looks to possess exactly what those in the area have come to expect from Hundley: a solid group built around the talents of a top 10 player who is capable of competing with anyone in the 11th, and should not be taken lightly unless you have no qualms with being upset (if you can even call Woodford County winning a big game an upset any longer).

 

This year’s squad is led by Eli Bogges, another name in the line of recent Woodford County players whose talents got them recognition normally reserved for the names of top talents in the Lexington, Richmond, and Georgetown areas. Bogges is a dynamic scorer who hung 38 points on Franklin County in last year’s district final on his way to All Region honors. Accompanying Boggess will be Grayson Graf, a quick lefty with a smooth stroke. Sam Souers is a senior with the ability to heat it up from outside. Colton McCrady is a 6’3’’ athlete who plays above the rim and is ferocious on the defensive end of the floor. Zach “Piggy” Pohlman brings experience at the post position. Look for contributions from Michael Shelton, Sawyer Scandore, Christian Ramirez, and John Couch off the bench as well.

 

When asked about this year’s team, Coach Hundley was quoted: “Losing 4 starters and 6 seniors, the Woodford County Yellow Jackets look to reload instead of rebuild. They will be a tough team to guard this year if the shots are falling. With deadly ability from the outside they can stretch the defense. Keys to the team will be whether they can get stops on the defensive end of the floor and take care of the ball. With a toughening 41st District, the Jackets look to defend their championship and make it 3 out of the last 4 distict titles. Don’t count them out come tournament time after this young team gains invaluable experience in a tough 11th region.”

 

 

 

 

42nd District:

 

Bryan Station:

 

In 2009/2010, the Defenders were coming off an odd off-season that saw reigning Coach of the Year Champ Ligon “dismissed” and re-hired in a matter of days. The odd saga would only continue as Ligon would not return to coach the Defenders in the 2010/2011 season, as he was replaced by Michael Allen. A former Defender standout, Allen took Station to the semi-finals of the 1989 State Tournament during his senior season before being named runner up in Mr. Basketball voting.

 

During his first year, Allen's Defenders played .500 ball and finished with a 14-14 record. The 2011/2012 season saw a dip to 12-21, and maybe one of the oddest seasons that the school ever experienced with the playing status of Larry Morton and Jaylen Beckham being major storylines. Things began looking up for the Defenders during Allen’s third year at the helm, as the team posted an 18-11 record before losing by 11 to Scott County in the first round of District play. The most important thing that could be carried into this season, however, might have been a push between posting a winning record and staying out of the news cycle.

 

Enter 2013/2014, where things finally appeared to have returned to normal in North Lexington. Station returns senior Marcellous Washington, a point guard who had lots of recruiting interest early in his career and a player who is still considered to be one of the top 10 talents in the region by almost every coach and insider polled. Washington spent the summer playing AAU with the talented Hoop Dreams 17 & Under squad, and that experience should serve him well going into this year.

 

If their upcoming schedule is any indication, the Defenders should have a solid group, as they have scheduled up by entering a number of showcase events, including the Woodford County Invitational, the Republic Bank Classic at Lexington Catholic over the Christmas Break, and a pair of intriguing games against Wayne County at East Jessamine in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic & against Warren Central at Central Hardin in the Bluegrass Cellular New Years Classic.

 

Seniors Daquice Allen and Jordan Henry return in the backcourt, forming a trio of experienced players who have taken their lumps over the years and should be ready to return some of those to opponents this season. Should all the players listed on the KHSAA roster return, the Defenders will have six seniors, three juniors, and three sophomores, which will give them a level of experience and familiarity with one another, a luxury that many teams in the 11th don’t possess this year.

 

A possible breakout performer that 11th Region fans probably want to keep an eye on is C.J. Walker. Walker is a wide receiver for the football team whose been posting some ridiculous catch, touchdown, and yardage totals, so he may take some time to get in basketball shape, but he spent the summer playing with the Kentucky Travelers’ 16 & Under AAU squad, an EYBL program that speaks for itself.

 

Bryan Station was one of my favorite Lexington-Fayette publics to watch during my time at UK, as some of the Shelvin Mack, Tino Washington, and Jaron Jones teams always made for entertaining basketball that many missed out on because they weren’t able to get over the hump and make it to Rupp, but even during their best of times, one of the team’s Achilles’ heels was usually their lack of size on the interior. With no post threats returning that are getting lots of publicity to date, you have to wonder how the seemingly smallish Defenders will handle teams like Lafayette, Scott County, and Lexington Catholic, all of whom appear to be capable of throwing lineups with serious size onto the floor if need be. Ultimately, this may be the variable that again determines just how serious of a threat they will pose to others and may determine how far they will ultimately advance in the post season.

 

 

Henry Clay:

Over the past two seasons, the word potential was thrown around in relation to Henry Clay more than it has been associated with most schools in their existence. Could the “Big 3” of Jordan Green, Trey Grundy, and Christen Cunningham realize their potential and lead the school back to it’s perch atop the Kentucky High School Basketball landscape? How would the senior-to-be Blue Devils respond after losing a 60-56 heartbreaker to eventual State Champion Madison Central as juniors, especially when they had led the game 56-52 late? How unstoppable would the Big 3 be now that Jeremiah Tisdale and Teddy Ware had emerged?

 

After an offseason that is probably as gut-wrenching as I can remember seeing a school go through, the answers to most of those questions are merely moot points today. The offseason saw Trey Grundy transfer to Hargrave Military Academy, Christen Cunningham transfer to Cordia, and Teddy Ware transfer to rival Scott County. All that remains is senior Jordan Green, who is a consensus top 3 player in the 11th Region, and Jeremiah Tisdale, a top 10-type talent who will have to shoulder much more of the load than anyone could have envisioned moments after last year’s season went in the books.

 

Henry Clay is a populous school that undoubtedly has a lot of talent walking the halls, but after investing so much in Grundy, Cunningham, and Ware, one cannot help but wonder how they will respond this season. All of these defections are only compounded by the loss of Darien Tichenor, a big man who emerged onto the scene last year and provided a lengthy threat for the Blue Devils on the interior, who graduated.

 

Once thought of as the team to beat in 2013/2014, and one that would have been a trendy pick and heavy favorite to win the State Title in March, the Blue Devils will now be fighting for their lives in 11th Region play.

 

How this team responds to all the adversity will be huge, no doubt. There are basically two ways I see their squad taking this: 1.) wallowing in their own sorrow and listening to everyone talk about what might have been IF, or 2.) using the defections as motivation that fuels an intense focus on proving everyone wrong by “doing it without them”.

 

Coach Daniel Brown’s squads are typically known as athletic, up-tempo groups that can light up the scoreboard in a hurry, especially when able to get into harassing full court pressure defense off made baskets, but it would appear that with so many defections, there will be a baptism by fire early on as the remaining players try to find their identity. If the squad is playing well going into March, watch out, as they likely are just hitting their peak, but I wonder how many more hits their team psyche can take, and with early season tilts like the Mr. Basketball Classic against Perry County Central, the Capital City Rumble with Trinity, and an always tough 11th Region schedule, I'm wondering just how much more the team can withstand before the wheels completely fall off.

 

 

Sayre:

Last year’s Spartans squad went 8-17 before being blown out by Henry Clay in the first round of district play. At one time, this great academic institution showed promise as a potential prep power as well, as both current Cordia point guard Christen Cunningham and current UK freshman center Dakari Johnson were enrolled. Those days appear to be long gone, as the Spartans were also blown out by Lexington Christian Academy in the first round of All-A Classic Regional play last season as well; however, senior guard Justin Sanders may be one of the better kept secrets in the 11th Region.

 

 

Scott County:

Pegged as the regional favorites by many, this year’s Cardinal squad looks to return to their familiar role of favorite in the 11th. Scott County is led by Senior shooting guard Trent Gilbert-- while he’s a kid who might be mistaken for a ball-boy if you were looking at a team picture, looks can be deceiving, as his jumper is outright lethal and has serious range. An 86% clip from the charity stripe and a 37% clip from distance last year speak to the Gilbert’s ability. Returning with him are senior guards Seth Crank and Tony Martini, who each saw meaningful minutes on last year’s regional semifinalist that lost a heartbreaker to Lexington Catholic in overtime. In the team’s scrimmage against Covington Holmes earlier this year, the commentators mentioned Martini as a kid who could step up and be the “glue guy” of this year’s squad.

 

Aside from the returnees, the squad gets an added boost from two of Georgetown’s newest residents, Raekwon Long and Teddy Ware.

 

Long is a 7’0 center who transferred in from Charlotte, North Carolina and played with the up-and-coming Karolina Diamonds on the AAU circuit this past summer. While he has the kind of size that you can’t teach, those who view him seem to be of the consensus that he’s still a project who needs to develop quite a bit before reaching his ceiling. A number of colleges are courting Long, and if any coach can get the most out of him, it’s likely Hicks, but don’t expect greatness from him immediately, at least not yet.

 

Ware is a smooth guard who comes to Georgetown after leaving Henry Clay. While his reputation for knocking down the trifecta precedes him, it will be interesting to track the development of he and Gilbert’s ability to handle the ball and dictate the offensive pace and tempo. Both have the kind of range that will keep opposing defenses weary of giving up open looks, but whether or not one of the two can provide the kind of dribble penetration that unlocks the entirety of the Cardinals’ offensive potential remains to be seen.

 

Senior forward Dylan Portwood may be the toughest player of the group of returnees to truly evaluate. A long, lanky player who has the tools to be dangerous if he puts it together, he could be the key to determining exactly how good the team is. In the team’s recent scrimmage, the announcers listed him as being out with an injury, so his transition into the year may be rough if he’s going to be out long.

 

Finally, while he might not be ready to break out just yet, keep an eye on the progress of Tay Guyn, the younger brother of former Cardinal and current Cincinnati Bearcat Ge’lawn Guyn. Guyn was the only freshman to dress varsity last season.

 

The list of expected starters/contributors below is based on the starting line-up used in Scott County’s recent scrimmage against Covington Holmes.

 

Expected Starters/Contributors:

PG – Matt Murray

SG – Trent Gilbert

SF – Teddy Ware

PF – Tony Martini

C – Raekwon Long

 

Key Losses:

PG - Quinn Richardson

SF - Jalen Haddix

 

 

 

 

43rd District:

 

Lafayette:

In the 2000’s, the Generals won a State Championship (2001), but have otherwise been somewhat of an after-thought when it comes to success in the “Backyard Brawl”, the moniker for their rivalry with neighbor Lexington Catholic. All of that began to change with the General’s upset of Lexington Catholic in 2010. The rivalry only grew in intrigue when Michael Mendenhall III, namesake and son of the Lexington Catholic assistant widely viewed as one of the architects of the Knights’ success, was hired by the school prior to the 2011/2012 season. Mendenhall has begun to carve out a name for himself in coaching circles, and only looks to continue building on that momentum this season.

 

Last year’s squad went 16-11, but played a fierce slate with at least two district games against teams that make up one of the most balanced districts in the state, as well as games against Bullitt East, Madison Central, Akron St. Vincent-St.Mary (LeBron’s high school), a trip to the Dunkin’ Donuts Tournament, the Central Bank Classic, and the Toyota Classic. Just my guess, but I’m going to say that the experience gained last season will be invaluable to this year’s squad.

 

The Generals will have a sturdy frame to lean on in Jackson Davis, the son of former Kentucky Wildcat Jonathon Davis. After playing on the Nike EYBL Circuit this summer as a member of the Kentucky Travelers 17 & Under squad and a recently making a commitment to play collegiately at Rice University (which is an outstanding academic institution), Davis should be even more prepared to continue the dominance that he displayed as he burst onto the scene as an 8th grader. Speaking from a talent standpoint, Lafayette would have been aided by Davis’ counterpart on the 16 & Under Travelers squad, Shon Wright, but reports on BluegrassPreps state that the 6-6 forward is no longer with the team.

 

This year’s squad will have the talent to be very good, but a lot depends on the maturation of the sophomore class and how they handle another tough 11th Region slate, but expect the Generals to rely on senior leadership early on as everyone becomes acclimated to their new roles. Guards Lance Blakley and Dequise Robinson will likely take on bigger roles offensively. Sophomores Harrison Lane and Ross Jenkins are two names to keep an eye on as far as breakout performers, as I’ve gotten solid reviews on their potential from more than one source. Finally, for those of you who are wondering, yes, Harrison is the son of Transylvania Basketball Coach Brian Lane.

 

Coach Mendenhall was quoted as saying: “Our tough schedule in December will hopefully prepare these young guys for the always tough 43rd District. We will rely on our three seniors to provide leadership and stability as these young players adjust to the level of play at the varsity level.”

 

Expected Starters/Contributors:

Dequise Robinson

Lance Blakley

Harrison Lane

Ross Jenkins

Jackson Davis

 

 

Lexington Catholic:

Along with Scott County, the Knights have been the gold-standard in the 11th Region since the turn of the century. Coach Brandon Salsman’s squads are always prepared and usually wither opponents with the Knights’ trademark 2-2-1 full-court pressure with a group of kids who play it with astounding discipline and understanding of what is expected of them. Competing at a high level and getting better each time you step onto the floor seems to be something that we’ve become so accustomed to Lexington Catholic doing over the years that we take some of their excellence for granted.

 

After a few years of seeing the Sweet 16 as spectators, something which is quite unusual for the Knights under Salsman, this year’s team returns to a familiar role as one of the two heavy favorites in the 11th. Of course, as those accustomed to life in the 11th know, they are once again vying against another familiar foe who shares the role of co-favortie with them in the Scott County Cardinals. Most prognosticators again see a battle between these two titans as being the pivotal game in determining who earns the coveted chance at playing for all the marbles in mid-March at Rupp.

 

To get back to the top of the mountain, Lexington Catholic will rely on Tanner Johnson, a 6’5 junior guard who is widely viewed as one of the top talents in the region. Johnson was already a fundamentally sound player, and should be even more versatile this season after spending the summer playing with the Kentucky Travelers 16 & Under team on the Nike EYBL Circuit.

 

The Knights will have a tall task in replacing recently departed senior Jack Whitman, the 6’9 All State performer now playing collegiately at William & Mary (which is also a great academic institution). Doing so will not be easy, but a glance at the Knights’ roster shows the potential for some long line-ups with Johnson, 6’7 Robert Dence, 6’7 Jordan Hatton, 6’6 Walker Boothe, 6’3 football standouts Sam Letton and Reese Ryan, and 6’3 JJ Ogubugu.

 

When asked about this year’s squad, Coach Salsman had this to say: “Our group has played together for quite awhile. We have quite a few football players and with them advancing deep into the playoffs we will be counting on our players experience together to get us through a rough early schedule. I think by February we should be firing on all cylinders and will be a tough out and look to go deep in the playoffs.”

 

Again, like many other teams in the 11th, Lex Cath’s gridiron squad is still in the midst of a deep run in this year’s playoffs, so expecting the team to be operating at full capacity and clicking on all cylinders early in the year may be too ambitious, but look for the squad to round into form as their football players get in basketball shape.

 

Returning Players/Key Contributors:

Tanner Johnson, 6’5, junior, guard

Jarod Griffin, 6’2, junior, guard

Robert Dence, 6’7, senior, forward

Michael Talbott, 5’11, junior, guard

Reese Ryan, 6’3, junior, forward

 

New Comers/Breakout Candidates:

Donovan Morris, 5’10, sophomore, guard

Jordan Hatton, 6’7, junior, center

Walker Boothe, 6’6, junior, forward

Luke Johnson, 6’1, freshman, guard

JJ Ogubugu, 6’3, sophomore, guard

Sam Letton, 6’3, sophomore, forward

 

 

Lexington Christian Academy:

Last year was the inaugural campaign of Coach Brad Carter. In his first year commanding the emerging school on Reynolds Road, Carter guided the Eagles to an 11-17 record, and was upset by Model in the 11th Region All A Classic semifinals. The Eagles would rebound though, beating Tates Creek at home in the first round of district play before losing to Lexington Catholic in the semi-finals by a 56-42 margin.

 

The pieces are in place for LCA to have more success this season, as the team is led by Matt Rose, a 6’5 junior wing getting serious Division One interest from a number of schools. Rose should be even more lethal this season after spending the summer playing with the Kentucky Travelers 16 & Under team on the Nike EYBL Circuit.

 

Joining Rose is a name familiar to many UK fans, a kid who goes by the name Brad Calipari and happens to be the son of current UK Coach John Calipari. Like Rose, Calipari played for the Travelers 16 & Under squad.

 

KHSAA rosters list a number of juniors returning to LCA’s varsity squad this season, and as opposed to only two seniors being listed, leading some to speculate that this could be a team who is a year away from making some serious noise.

 

LCA is a relatively new school, but with the success their athletics programs have enjoyed in both football and baseball, one can only wonder how quickly things might turn around for the Eagles once the ball really gets rolling. Just something to keep in mind, but the Eagles’ middle school squad won the 8th Grade Division of the KBA’s Middle School Team League in 2012.

 

 

Paul Laurence Dunbar:

Coach Scott Chalk enters his second year at the helm of the Bulldogs. Last year’s team went 19-10 against a tough district schedule (all teams in the 43rd play one another at least twice) before winning the district by beating Lafayette 83-66 and Lexington Catholic 51-40. Once they advanced to the 11th Region Tournament, the Bulldogs got a tough draw, as they were paired off with the loser of the 42nd District, Henry Clay. They fell to the Blue Devils, 63-55 in a two-overtime thriller.

 

The good news for those on Man O’ War Boulevard is that Darius Williams returns, and the electric 6’3 wing should pick up where he left off after bursting onto the scene as a freshman in 2012/2013. Williams is getting some serious interest from Northern Kentucky University, as well as a number of other schools, and looks to be one of the top players in the class of 2016.

 

This could be one of Williams’ best chances to succeed, as the Senior class at PLD goes 6 deep this year and includes guards Troy Black, Donnie Lewis, and Connor McHugh; forwards Vince Davis and Jordan Hurst; and center Kyle Clark.

 

Along with an always tough 11th Region slate, the Bulldogs are playing quite the schedule, as they are listed as participating in: the Bluegrass/Buckeye Classic (hosted by Covington Holmes and Scott High School), the Capital City Rumble (at the Frankfort Civic Center), the Woodford County Invitational, the Gateway Classic (at Montgomery County), the 1st Security Bank of Kentucky New Years’ Bash (at Muhlenburg County), and the Jock Sutherland Classic (at Lafayette).

 

 

Tates Creek:

The Creekers are coached by Wayne Breeden, who in my humble opinion, is one of the best coaches in the State, and may even be underrated, which is quite a feat considering he was a graduate assistant at the University of Kentucky at one time. But, maybe that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the Commodores play a style reflective of his leadership and are known for surgical precision in their offensive sets, a selfless sharing of the basketball, and tough, in your face defense whose physicality probably reminds opponents that they were in a war when waking up the next morning.

 

When asked about this year's team, Coach Wayne Breeden has stated, “If we can continue to progress, this is a team that can challenge in post season play.”

 

Leading the way for the Commodores will be Jordan Fucci, a 6’5, 200 lb. junior whose as skilled a big man as they come in the 11th. Jordan is the younger brother of former Tates Creek standout Ryan Fucci and son of Lexington athletics legend Dom Fucci, so it’s fair to say that athleticism runs in the family, and it’s easy to see why most coaches and insiders polled consider him to be a top 10-type talent in the 11th.

 

Joining Fucci as top returners on this year’s team are 6’1 junior guard Desmond Duke, 6’2 senior forward Ian Davis, 6’1 junior guard Trey Sturdivant, and 6’1 senior forward Alex Polus. Also, fans in the Centre Parkway area should be on the lookout for increased roles from seniors Blake Rose and Tanner Hart, as well as potential breakout candidate, 6’4, 200 lb. freshman center Isaiah Patterson.

 

 

 

 

44th District:

 

Berea:

Last season’s edition of the Pirates went 8-22, but this year’s squad looks to greatly improve on the previous mark, as three starters return to anchor Coach Cameron Jackson’s squad. Those returning are 6’3 senior guard Trey Terril, 6’2 junior guard Andy Allen, and 6’0 junior forward Dustin Kates.

 

Jarrel Tevis is a 5’11 junior who is expected to take the reigns of the team and run the show at point guard. 6’1 sophomore wing Shyiem Alexander, 6’3 sophomore forward Deondre Tate, and 6’1 guard Bradley Atkins each look to be much improved from last year’s campaign. All four names are solid candidates to have a breakout role for Berea this season, as they look to contend in both the 11th Region All-A and 44th District tournaments.

 

 

Madison Central:

In Kentucky, hoops is King and the Feldhaus family name is round-ball royalty. Madison Central Coach Allen Feldhaus Jr’s father played basketball at UK and had a stellar career as the head coach of Mason County. Brother Willie Feldhaus is doing well as the head coach at Russell County and is one of only four Kentucky coaches whose team beat last year’s Indians’. Brother Daron Feldhaus played at UK and is an “Unforgettable”. With one of the most recognizable names in Kentucky, getting the recognition you deserve could be difficult, but Allen only furthered both his personal and the family’s legacy by bringing the state title to Richmond in 2013. In the process, he also became part of the first ever father-son duo to coach in the state finals.

 

When asked about this year's edition of the Indians, Coach Feldhaus stated, “This years team will be a work in progress because we have so many new faces and virtually no varsity experience.”

 

Gone is 95% of the Indians’ scoring from last season, including dynamic guards Dominique Hawkins and Ken-Jah Bosley. The only returning player who saw significant minutes last season is senior forward Demarcus George. The Indians may take some lumps early, but with George and junior forward Sam Jones, Central will have some room to grow as players adjust to their new roles. The point guard position will likely be a work in progress on this young team.

 

Expected Starters/Contributors:

Cameron Thomas; 6'1", sophomore, point guard

Coty Alexander; 5'9", senior, shooting guard

Kirk Humphrey; 5'9", junior guard

Demarcus George; 6'2", senior forward

Sam Jones; 6'3", junior, forward

Ross Ramsey; 6'1", senior forward

Isaiah Johnson; 6'3”, junior forward

 

Key Losses:

Dominique Hawkins

Ken-Jah Bosley

Quan Taylor

Hunter Stocker

Daniel Parke

 

 

Madison Southern:

Coach Shane Buttry’s Eagles finished last season with a 17-12 mark, and look to build on that record with the return of Tanner Kidwell. Kidwell caught the eye of Rick Bolus as an 8th grader, and is likely a top 25-type player in the 11th this season, and is also one who might have even more notoriety if not for his stellar performance on the soccer field. Joining him is football standout Damian Harris, a running back who has committed to Michigan and provides the Eagles with athleticism and a rebounding presence.

 

 

Model Academy:

Last year’s Patriots squad surprised many with a trip to the All-A Classic, which is ironically played on the Eastern Kentucky University campus that also houses Model Academy. Once in the All-A, the Patriots beat University Heights before bowing out to eventual runner-up Bardstown by a score of 80-63.

 

Unfortunately for Model, much of the core that made up last year’s 23-7 squad was lost to graduation. All hope is not lost, however, as Coach Scarberry’s squad will have the experience of forward Zack Rice-Gordon to fall back on as they look to build on last year’s momentum.

Great preview! My question is about Henry Clay. They lost 4 players they expected to return, yet are still the #4 team in the region. Is everyone else that bad?

Great preview! My question is about Henry Clay. They lost 4 players they expected to return, yet are still the #4 team in the region. Is everyone else that bad?

 

Same question here.

Great preview! My question is about Henry Clay. They lost 4 players they expected to return, yet are still the #4 team in the region. Is everyone else that bad?

 

Thanks.

 

For me, here's the deal with Henry Clay:

 

Yes, they lost lots of talent, but at the same time, they still have someone whose an unquestioned top 3 player in the region and another top 10 talent to go with him.

 

On the whole, I think the 11th is a little down this year, as there's a pretty even distribution of the top 20 or so players between a number of schools.

 

Had Henry Clay kept all of their kids, they would have likely been the consensus favorite to take State.

 

I see Scott County, Lexington Catholic, and Lafayette in the first tier, then Henry Clay, Franklin County, Bryan Station, Woodford County, Lexington Christian, Tates Creek, and Dunbar in a fairly tight grouping on the next tier. Henry Clay and Franklin County do kind of stand out on that one because of the two top 10-type talents that each have.

 

I think Madison Central could make some noise and will belong on the second tier eventually, but they'll take some lumps until they gain experience.

After thinking about this some more, I think that the question may be better put as: if Henry Clay isn't the fourth or fifth best team, who do you rank ahead of them?

Great write up, always enjoy reading about the 11th! I think Henry Clay is still a good team, even though they lost that much. They just need the underclassmen from last year to step up, and they could be possibly the best team in the region when it's all said and done. No way LexCath is that tall. I doubt they have 2 players truly over 6-4. They are still a good team, will be great at shooting the ball. Definitely a lot of question marks in the region this year.