At long last, it's time to get this season started so despite the fact that previews just went up, there were a couple things I didn't cover and I'd at least like get some other info out there. 2013-14 Kentucky High School Basketball: engage.

 

Games of the Week

 

Monday, Dec. 2: No. 8 Scott County at No. 1 Ballard, 7:30 pm

 

The Bruins will look to start the season as they did last season, with a win over a well-regarded Scott County team. The Bruins won in Georgetown in late November last year, 79-70. Ballard returns four of the five starters from its state runner-up team including Univ. of Louisville signee Quentin Snider and Butler University signee Kelan Martin. This is sure to be a substantial early test for both teams.

 

Tuesday, Dec. 3: Central at St. Xavier, 7:30 pm

 

Another rematch of a season-opener from last year, the Yellow Jackets turned their 63-54 victory over the Tigers into a launching point for a 7-0 start en route to a successful season in which they made the regional semifinals. Both teams enter the season looking to replace significant losses: Central lost all of their starters to either graduation or transfer and St. Xavier will have to find replacements for their 6’9” center Brock Kiesler and most reliable outside shooter Justin Moody.

 

Saturday, Dec. 7: Christian Academy at South Oldham, 7:00 pm

 

Separated by the 7th/8th-region divide in alignment but by only a few miles geographically, the unknowns for these teams are what make this matchup so intriguing. The CAL Centurions lost a great deal of their contributors from last season but return a player who missed last season with an ACL tear and a transfer from Trinity expected to contribute immediately. South Oldham is coming off its first appearance in the Sweet 16 but lost a number of their top contributors. Christian Academy won last season’s meeting 51-47 in early December.

 

 

What to look for in the 7th

 

1) Can Ballard make their championship run?

Ballard is in contention for a state title perhaps more than any team in Kentucky. As a result, they have compiled a list of disappointing postseason losses that’s likely the longest in the Commonwealth. The last two seasons have been near the top of that list as they’ve lost to the eventual state champion by three points in 2012 (Trinity in the 7th Region Championship Game) and one point in 2013 (Madison Central in the State Championship Game). Ballard is absolutely loaded and is the early favorite to lift the championship trophy in Rupp Arena come March.

 

2) A bounceback for Eastern?

The last two seasons have constituted unfamiliar territory for the Eastern Eagles. A 17-14 season in 2011-12 and 13-16 in 2012-13, each of which ended in a quarterfinal loss in the 7th Region Tournament, comprise two of the most disappointing years in the program’s recent history. The Eagles head into this season with second-year head coach David Henley still in rebuilding mode. A game at St. Xavier on Dec. 10 should be the first test of how that project is progressing.

 

3) Youth Movements

Waggener comes into this season as one of the youngest teams in the region. A dynamite freshman class now has a year under its belt and will feature prominently as sophomores for Coach Bryan O’Neill.

 

Central has lost nearly all of its scoring and will turn to a number of sophomores and juniors who’ve never played so much as a minute of varsity basketball.

 

The 7th Region gauntlet is not forgiving so the tests will come early and often for these two young squads, including an early matchup against each other on Dec. 13 at Central.

 

4) Can Male Compete?

Trinity and Ballard have been the class of the 7th region over the past two seasons with the third-placed team not particularly close to level of play the Shamrocks and Bruins were showing. If things break right, that could finally change this season. The Bulldogs lost their two starting guards to graduation but return a lineup that includes three players 6’5” or taller, including well-regarded 6’7” forward Will Parker. It will take outstanding seasons from any number of players, but Male may just have the pieces necessary to move into the top tier of the region.

What school is Jamie Johnson at?

Interesting "Notebook" for the 7th Region that mentions: Ballard, Central, StX, Eastern, CAL, Male, and Waggener. I think there is a white elephant standing in the middle of the room.

^ What did I miss?

^ What did I miss?

 

I believe he's hinting at T.

^ Who?

Interesting "Notebook" for the 7th Region that mentions: Ballard, Central, StX, Eastern, CAL, Male, and Waggener. I think there is a white elephant standing in the middle of the room.

 

I believe he's hinting at T.

If he's fishing for some love for T, they were mentioned as top teams Male needs to try to overcome.

If he's fishing for some love for T, they were mentioned as top teams Male needs to try to overcome.

 

I am not a fisherman, but clearly your avi would indicate that you appear to be quite the handler. A notebook and "things" to look for in the seventh region without mentioning one of the top five teams in the state would seem to be quite an oversite IMO.

I was just messing around in my first two responses. In the interest of full disclosure for those who don't know, I'm an alumnus: Trinity class of 2002. I had not forgotten my alma mater dear. That said, I didn't find anything particularly notable regarding the Shamrocks for this first weekly notebook: they don't play a compelling game this week and the question marks are pretty limited.

 

If anything, I worried about being unjustifiably effusive in my praise for them in the regional preview.

 

I'll have plenty to say about the Shamrocks as the year goes on.

God forbid we leave them out of one little regional notebook. And I may mean that literally.

....and they were mentioned by the way.

Jamie Johnson will join the Central team in a week or two.

Jamie Johnson will join the Central team in a week or two.

 

That's big news for them.