Last year, Hopkinsville was one of the more overwhelming favorites to win the region in recent memory. After a near-upset to Madisonville in the semifinals of the region, the Tigers handled Henderson County to claim the region title and advanced to the state final four.

 

The Tigers return senior big man Jaqualis Matlock and add guard Quan Poindexter from cross-town rival Christian County.

 

Henderson County and Madisonville both return key players to challenge Hopkinsville.

 

The two wildcards are University Heights and Caldwell County. The Blazers will benefit from several transfers while Caldwell welcomes back Elijah Sindelar, who averaged 17.6 points and 9.4 rebounds as a freshman.

 

1. Hopkinsville (33-5)

 

The Tigers used their athleticism to claim their second straight region title and made it to the final four before falling to eventual state champion Madison Central.

 

While Hoptown will have to replace their leading scorer Jordan Majors, they return 6-5 forward Jaqualis Matlock, who averaged 14.9 points and 9.7 rebounds as a junior.

 

He will team with 6-6 senior Jamonte Davis (6.5 ppg., 5.3 rpg.) to form one of the stronger front lines in the region.

 

Expect senior guard Trey Edwards (10 ppg., 3 rpg.) to have a breakout season. Edwards played in the shadow of Majors last year, but came up clutch several times for the Tigers.

 

Hoptown adds Christian County transfer Quan Poindexter to the mix after he was just ruled eligible to play by the KHSAA. The 6-5 senior averaged 13 points and five rebounds last year.

 

A pair of seniors, Demarius Cager and Dee Henry, will give the Tigers depth in the backcourt, while freshman C.J. Henangan could break into the rotation early.

 

The Tigers don’t have the size and depth of last year’s team, but certainly have enough to make another run at Rupp Arena.

 

2. Henderson County (26-6)

 

If there is a team poised to knock off Hopkinsville from atop the region, it’s Henderson County. The Colonels return four starters for Tyler Smithhart’s squad that lost to Hoptown 59-46 in last year’s region final.

 

“Our biggest strengths will be our experience, perimeter shooting, depth, and ability to rebound,” Smithhart said. “We have two seniors that averaged close to double digit rebounds as juniors and all of our guards have a knack for rebounding the ball and getting out in transition.”

 

6-3 senior Kaleb Duckworth garnered all-district and all-region honors after averaging 10 points and nine rebounds a game. Duckworth is also one of the state’s top baseball players, signing recently to play college baseball at Western Kentucky.

 

Duckworth is joined in the post by 6-5 senior Cain Cooper, who shot 58-percent from the field while scoring nine points and grabbing seven rebounds a game.

 

Junior D.J. Washington established himself as one of the better guards in the region after averaging nine points a game. However, his quickness and court presence shown through, handing out four assists and grabbing three steals a game.

 

Junior David Simmons led the Colonels in scoring with 13 points and five rebounds on his way to all-region honors.

 

Smithhart said junior Brady Norman (7 ppg.), senior Isaac Carter, and junior Bryce Crowley give the Colonels a solid rotation.

 

“Our weaknesses include lack of overall height and at times last season, an inability to score consistently in a half court game. In addition, losing the leadership and defensive prowess of the 5 seniors we graduated will be a challenge for this year’s team,” said Smithhart.

 

The Colonels have come up short in the region championship game eight times since their last title in 1999. If they can stay healthy and the depth proves solid, they have a good chance of unseating Hopkinsville atop the region standings.

 

3. Madisonville (18-13)

 

The Maroons came within a point of upsetting Hopkinsville in the semifinals of the region tournament and return one of the top sophomores in the state.

 

6-1 Javion Eaves is one of three starters back for the Maroons, who won the Seventh District title in head coach Matt Beshear’s first season on the bench.

 

Eaves averaged 7.7 points during the regular season but put on a show in the region tournament, scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds in the semifinal loss to Hopkinsville.

 

Senior guard Alex Gray (5.5 ppg.) and senior forward Ross Thomas (8.3 ppg., 6.7 rpg.) also return, while Ivonta White, who didn’t play last year, gives the Maroons added speed and quickness.

 

Jaylen Mason (5.5 ppg.) and Albert McFarland also figure to factor in the rotation.

 

4. University Heights (13-13)

 

You will definitely need to buy a game program to keep up with the changes to the Blazer roster this year.

 

UHA opened Grant Shouse’s first season with seven straight losses before rebounding to win 13 of their last 20, including another Second Region All-A title.

 

The Blazers will have the deepest backcourt in the region with the return of seniors Dashion Brown and Lamontas Johnson. The duo led the Blazers in scoring last year, and their quickness allows UHA to play a pressure defense.

 

The Blazers also picked up Lyon County transfer Jordan Gary, who averaged 11 points at Lyon County as a sophomore last year, and Christian County transfer Tray Hollowell, expected to be one of the top freshmen in the state.

 

Junior Ledonald Gray also started some last year at guard when Brown went down to injury.

 

6-4 senior Darrius Mumford returns to a front line bolstered with the addition of 6-7 Trigg County transfer Jonta Acree and 6-4 freshman Jaylen Sebree, who played in Christian County’s feeder program in middle school.

 

“Our experience and depth are our strengths,” Shouse said. “But our chemistry will be a key. We all need to accept our roles and rotation.”

 

How well the new additions mesh together will determine how far the Blazers go in the postseason and in All-A competition. The influx of transfers hasn’t gone unnoticed in the region, however, as one coach took the Blazers off their schedule when one of his players initially moved out of state but ended up at UHA.

 

5. Caldwell County (12-19)

 

The biggest wildcard in the region is Caldwell County.

 

The Tigers were expected to be a factor in the region, but a couple of players didn’t come out for the squad which left Caldwell to finish 12-19. The Tigers were still a buzzer-beater away from advancing past the first round of the region tourney.

 

Junior Elijah Sindelar, who is well-known for his exploits on the football field as one of the state’s top quarterbacks, is back for the Tigers on the hardwood. As a freshman, Sindelar averaged 19.6 points and 7.4 points as a freshman and can play all five positions on the floor.

 

6-8 senior Eli Pepper gives the Tigers some inside presence. He scored 16 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in their region tourney loss to Trigg County.

 

The Tigers will also have more speed and quickness than last year with the return of Dee Cain, Josh Young, Damonta Hopson, and Luke McCarty in the backcourt.

 

If there is one positive from Caldwell County’s earlier-than-expected exit from the football playoffs, it’s that second-year head coach Daniel Kukahiko will get several players on the hardwood before Thanksgiving.

 

Caldwell County also has some talent at the lower levels. After winning just 30 games the past five seasons, things appear to be on the upswing in Princeton.

 

6. Union County (16-14)

 

The one school teams are always leery of playing is Union County. The Braves always have one of the better defensive teams in the state.

 

After coaching at Ballard Memorial and moving to Union County last year, Nick Chaykowsky takes over the reins in Morganfield.

 

His son Zack is one of four returning starters for the Braves. The younger Chaykowsky earned all-region and all-district honors after averaging 12.5 points and 3.5 assists last year.

 

He is joined in the backcourt by Jashaud Fleming, who scored 11. 7 points and grabbed 5.5 rebounds a game.

 

Coach Chaykowsky will also rely on seniors Czaja McGuire and Jarrell Foster, who both averaged four points a game.

 

The Braves expect 6-3 senior Kyler Floyd, 6-6 senior Alex Strunk, and 6-4 sophomore Peyton Moshier to comprise the frontline.

 

“Leadership and guard play will be a huge strength for our team,” Chaykowsky said. “We gave up 44 points a game last year and return our best defensive players.”

 

Union County is helped with having eight seniors on the squad.

 

7. Trigg County (20-9)

 

Payton Croft is one of three new coaches in the Second Region, joining Nick Chaykowsky at Union County and Rex Booth at Hopkins County Central.

 

Croft inherits a Wildcat squad that returns two starters from last year’s region semifinal team that lost to Henderson County 70-60.

 

One thing Croft has done is change the work culture of his new team. An off-season weightlifting and conditioning program is expected to pay off for the Wildcats.

 

“Our leadership has been great. The guys have brought a relentless attitude and mentality to practice on a daily basis,” said Croft, who will be joined on the bench by his father Jimmy who won Fifth District titles at Crittenden County and Livingston Central.

 

The Wildcats welcome back sharpshooter Cole Gardner, who averaged 12.4 points and was one of the top three-point shooters in the state.

 

Senior Corbin Estes can play either guard spot after averaging six points a game.

 

Sophomore Demaria Nance, the younger brother Deonquez who graduated as the school’s all-time leading scorer, is expected to take over at the point guard position.

 

The Wildcats will be helped on the frontline by 6-4 Brien Dossett, who played at Trigg County as a sophomore and at Hopkinsville last year.

 

Luke McKenzie, who averaged 7.3 points as a sophomore but didn’t play last year, should also contribute in the post.

 

“As a first year coach, there is always a concern for younger players having to learn a new system. So far, they have adapted well,” Croft said.

 

8. Christian County (15-15)

 

This year’s preseason was little less chaotic than last year for Christian County. A coaching change made right before the start of the season saw assistant Kyle Eades move into the interim role. After a 15-15 season that saw the Colonels lose to Henderson County 63-56 in the first round of the region tournament, the interim tag was removed from Eades’ label.

 

One of the top priorities for Eades will be to replace four starters.

 

Senior guard Isaiah Pollard is the lone returning starter after scoring six points a game last year.

6-5 junior Devon Wharton was bothered by injuries during football season but should help provide an inside game for the Colonels.

 

Senior DeAndre Mosby and junior A.J Tyler, who started some down the stretch last year, should see the bulk of the time in the backcourt.

 

The Colonels lost two starters to schools inside their district. How quickly the underclassmen can step into their new roles will determine the fate of the Colonels’ season.

 

9. Webster County (19-14)

 

Webster County lost 90-percent of their scoring and still won 19 games last year. Jon Newton will try and pull off a similar feat this year.

 

The team’s three double-figure scorers graduated, leaving the Trojans with big gaps to fill.

 

Senior forward J.D. Newton is the top returning scorer at 6.5 points and 3.4 rebounds a game.

 

Junior guard Mason Roland (5.9 ppg.) and senior forward Madison Melton should also crack the starting lineup.

 

The Trojans don’t have much size, which will put them at a disadvantage in a district with Henderson County and Union County. However, head coach Jon Newton has shown the ability to craft inexperience into talent by season’s end.

 

10. Hopkins County Central (9-22)

 

Rex Booth takes over a Hopkins County Central program that has won just 56 games in the past five seasons and hasn’t won a region tournament game since 2009.

 

“This team has size and athleticism. There are four or five guys over six feet than can handle and shoot the basketball and cause mismatch problems for our opponents,” Booth said.

 

Booth is high on junior guard Shelby Myers, who added 15 pounds in the off-season.

 

Sophomore Tyrek White will handle the point guard spot after starting at the freshman and JV level.

 

“I feel like he could be one of the best guards in the region. He has all of the tools to be an outstanding guard over the next three years,” Booth said.

 

Up front, 6-4 senior Reid Scott is the lone returning starter for the Storm. 6-3 senior Trevor Troutman should also break into the starting lineup.

 

“We have to have more discipline on defense,” said Booth, who pointed out that Hopkins Central gave up more points on defense than any region team last year. “We have to help more on defense.”

 

11. Lyon County (15-17)

 

Jeff Embrey begins his seventh season as Lyon County head coach as the longest-tenured coach in the region. His career mark with the Lyons is 104-73.

 

The Lyons return three starters from last year’s district runner-up, including junior guard Jericho Wilkerson.

 

The Lyons also welcome back guards Tyler Martin (6-1, Sr.) and Brandon White (5-9, Jr.) and 6-4 forward Zach Polston, who started a third of Lyon County’s game last year.

 

Embrey likes the experience his team has but says their lack of size is a big concern.

 

Freshmen Nick Gilbert and Josiah Wilkerson will likely see time in the rotation for the Lyons.

 

12. Fort Campbell (6-17)

 

The revolving door at Fort Campbell means you never know who will be on the Falcon roster from one season to the next.

 

Second-year head coach Stacey Harrell will be counting on junior Isaiah Washington to be one of the team leaders after scoring nearly nine points a game last year. Washington suffered an arm injury late in the Fort Campbell football season but should be ready to go for hoops season.

 

Jonathon Hamilton was a nice surprise as a freshman, averaging 8.4 points for the Falcons.

 

13. Livingston Central (5-24)

 

The rebuilding effort continues for Kyle Yates at Livingston Central, although the Cardinals have enough experience returning to maybe make a surprise run in the Fifth District.

 

Leading scorer Austin Woodward returns in the backcourt along with Austin Wright. Dalton Gilbert is expected to give the Cardinals some backcourt depth.

 

Colton Ramage and Jordan Miller return inside along with Tanner Rodgers.

 

“We return 90-percent of our scoring and rebounding and can really shoot the basketball,” Yates said. “I’m concerned with how well we can rebound. We lost a lot of games last year because teams were stronger than us.”

14. Crittenden County (15-16)

 

Despite returning just one starter, Crittenden County expects to have more depth than last year’s team that showed signs playing with some of the better teams in the region.

 

Point guard Aaron Owen is the lone returning starter and leading scorer for the Rockets.

 

“We’re a better shooting team than last year, and we have more depth,” said Denis Hodge, who is 26-36 in his third season as head coach.

 

Landon Young and Dylan Hicks will see time in the backcourt, while Devin Belt, Noah Dickerson and Dakota Wilson will see time on the frontline.

 

“We lost a lot of experienced players from last year, and we have several newcomers that will be asked to make an impact,” Hodge said.

 

15. Dawson Springs (6-25)

 

Dawson Springs has won 24 games the past five seasons, and the rebuilding effort will continue for third-year head coach Jeff Miller.

 

Sophomores Austin Stevens and Jeremiah Adams are expected to be the main contributors for the Panthers, who lost their top three scorers from last year’s 6-25 team.

 

 

Top Players in the Second Region

 

 

1. Jaqualis Matlock (Hopkinsville, 6-4, Sr.) – One of the top inside players in the paint last year and should be a bigger part of the offense this year. Presents a huge match up problem defensively.
   
2. Trey Edwards (Hopkinsville, 6-2, Sr.) – Played in the shadow of Jordan Majors last year, but should have a breakout season this year. One of the region’s top defensive guards.
   
3. Kaleb Duckworth (Henderson County, 6-3, Sr.) – Just a guy who brings his hard hat and lunch pail to the paint every game. Also one of the top baseball players in the state.
   
4. Quan Poindexter (Hopkinsville, 6-5, Sr.) – The rich get richer at Hopkinsville as Poindexter brings his slashing style to a Hopkinsville offense that can showcase it.
   
5. David Simmons (Henderson County, 6-3, Jr.) – Much like Duckworth, except a better scorer inside and out.
   
6. Elijah Sindelar (Caldwell County, 6-4, Jr.) – Returns to the hardwood after a year off. Averaged 19 points and seven rebounds as a freshman and can play anywhere on the floor.
   
7. Javieon Eaves (Madisonville, 6-1, Soph.) – Put on a show in the region tournament last year and will be expected to have a breakout season this year.
   
8. Lamontas Johnson (University Heights, 5-11, Sr.) – One of the quickest guards in the region who should benefit from the influx of talent to the UHA roster.
   
9. Zack Chaykowsky (Union County, 6-1. Sr.) – He plays the way you would expect a coach’s son to play. Led the Braves in scoring and assists last year.
   
10. Eli Pepper (Caldwell County, 6-8, Sr.) – Pepper should benefit from the return of Sindelar and an experienced backcourt as teams can’t sag in against him.
    

 

 

Most Wins in the Region the Last 10 Years

 

215 – Henderson County

192 – Hopkinsville

187 – University Heights

182 – Christian County

177 – Madisonville

169 – Trigg County

158 – Webster County

128 – Lyon County

122 – Hopkins County Central

119 – Union County

116 – Livingston Central

107 – Crittenden County

104 – Caldwell County

84 – Fort Campbell

59 – Dawson Springs

 

Most Wins in the Region the Last 5 Years

 

114 – Hopkinsville

107 – Henderson County

100 – Christian County

91 – Lyon County

88 – Trigg County

84 – Madisonville

80 – Webster County

74 – University Heights

64 – Livingston Central

64 – Union County

56 – Hopkins County Central

52 – Crittenden County

30 – Caldwell County

25 – Fort Campbell

24 – Dawson Springs

 

Most Wins at Current School

 

104 – Jeff Embrey (Lyon County, 6 years)

81 – Tim Haworth (Hopkinsville, 3 years)

39 – Jon Newton (Webster County, 2 years)

26 – Tyler Smithhart (Henderson County, 1 year)

26 – Denis Hodge (Crittenden County, 2 years)

17 – Jeff Miller (Dawson Springs, 3 years)

18 – Matt Beshear (Madisonville, 1 year)

15 – Kyle Eades (Christian County, 1 year)

13 – Grant Shouse (University Heights, 1 year)

12 – Daniel Kukahiko (Caldwell County, 1 year)

6 – Stacey Harrell (Fort Campbell, 1 year)

5 – Kyle Yates (Livingston Central, 1 year)

 

Most Second Region Titles

 

17 – Christian County

14 – Madisonville

6 – Dawson Springs

6 – University Heights

6 – Hopkinsville

3 – Henderson County

3 – Union County

2 – Trigg County

1 – Caldwell County

1 – Hopkins County Central

1 – Livingston Central

1 – Lyon County

0 – Fort Campbell

0 – Crittenden County

0 – Webster County

Wow. Would have guessed Hoptown had more 2nd Region titles than they do. Were they in a different region for awhile or maybe haven't been a school for as long as I'm thinking?

Eli Pepper-Caldwell County-is a Junior. Great article, Scribe!

University Heights, Hopkinsville, and Christian County are all in the same district as well as same county. It's very difficult to win that district but for the rest of the region it is very difficult to win the region. In 2000, Hopkins County Central won the region. In 2001, Madisonville won the region. Since then, UHA, Hopkinsville and Christian County have won the region.

 

Great preview Scribe, I would like to see one more stat and I know you have it. Regional runner up numbers. Just curious to see who has the most?

 

Great preview Scribe, I would like to see one more stat and I know you have it. Regional runner up numbers. Just curious to see who has the most?

 

Going back to 1950, here you go --

 

14 - Henderson County

8 - Madisonville and Christian County

7 - Hopkinsville

4 - Lyon County

3 - Todd County Central

2 - Union County, UHA, Livingston Central, Trigg County, Madisonville Rosenwald

1 - Hopkins Central, Caldwell County, South Hopkins, Providence, Hopkinsville Attucks, Earlington, Dotson, Crofton, Charleston, Guthrie

That Dotson team in '63 had Dwight and Greg Smith on it. They would later go on to WKU. Dwight Smith passed away in a car crash after his senior season at WKU, or he would have had a great NBA career. His brother, Greg, survived the crash and went on to play i the NBA for several seasons.