Hammons is another solid junior. What a stroke when he is on. Like Smith, not a top 5 player, but another solid junior for South Laurel.

 

Trey's dad, GJ Smith (SL AD) is a former UK player and has to love seeing his son get a ring last year and a shot at another one this season.

 

I actually spoke with GJ briefly this morning in the barbershop and he seemed extremely pleased in how his son is playing, and how SL played as a whole in the Hazard game.

 

Trey has really stepped it up in the 2nd half of this season, and had a whale of a game against Hazard.

 

Like you said, Proffitt is the cream of the crop. However, Smith and Hammonds both deserve mentioning, and I wouldnt be suprised if both of those players dont get alot more recognition next season if SL does well in the state tourney.

Northern Kentucky top players

 

G- Mike Hester of Simon Kenton

G- Todd Jacobs of Covington Catholic

F- Austin Hill of Covington Holmes

F- Zach Kiernan of Newport Central Catholic

C- Josh Hurd of Simon Kenton

 

Jefferson needs to be dropped from the list. Good player, but not great. Austin Hill is an absolute stud.

Northern Kentucky top players

 

G- Mike Hester of Simon Kenton

G- Todd Jacobs of Covington Catholic

F- Austin Hill of Covington Holmes

F- Zach Kiernan of Newport Central Catholic

C- Josh Hurd of Simon Kenton

 

Jefferson needs to be dropped from the list. Good player, but not great. Austin Hill is an absolute stud.

 

You know I relly would put Jefferson ahead of Hester but not by much. I can agree with you that his stock has seemed to drop off. Just not having the same season he had last. Is that because of the chemistry and the problems the team is having? Are players starting to catch up to him? Either way Duran is a wonderful player, but is he going to keep improving and get any better? He might not be able too.

Austin Hill, in the last 2 weeks has dropped 30+ 3 times.

C- Josh Hurd of Simon Kenton.... If he plays like his says he would be, he is more of a liablity right now. He plays soft and with his size you think you can go one on one with any big guy in the area, and he is just getting ate up by the better big guys.

Northern Kentucky top players

 

F- Austin Hill of Covington Holmes

F- Zach Kiernan of Newport Central Catholic

 

I have seen both these players numerous times and think very highly of them. IMO, Austin Hill is the most talented young man at Holmes and possibly the most talented in the 9th Region. Zach Kiernan is a man (beast) playing against young boys in the 9th. No one is his size.

 

But here is the problem. They both seem to be hampered by injuries. Zach is still banged up from football and Austin has a bad back, that could be from football as well.

 

I know this won't happen because they are going to both probably be playing D-1 football in two years, but I feel these two men could be the best if they weren't playing football. They both are banged up and could benefit from the off time. I can't even imagine how good Austin Hills jumper would be if he just played BBall. And Kiernan has a good shot, just don't see him take it from the outside very often.

 

Again I'm not saying they should quit football. I think a kid should play as many sports as he likes. All Im saying is can you imagine how good these two players would be if Basketball was the only sport they played.

The only reason that Kiernan is the number 1 junior big guy in NKY is because he is the only junior that gets to be his team's primary inside prescence (except Nelson at Ryle). He is a beast but he has big his entire life and has been outplayed and contained by kids that are smaller than him.

C- Josh Hurd of Simon Kenton.... If he plays like his says he would be, he is more of a liablity right now. He plays soft and with his size you think you can go one on one with any big guy in the area, and he is just getting ate up by the better big guys.

Josh did a good job against Howard of Scott high school Saturday night. I am not hyping him as tops in the state though. Mike Hester of Sk is going to be my top ten in the state though!

It appears SKFAN you are touting this kid on other boards too. I have seen Hester and he is the leader for his team. Not sure he is at the level of some of the players you are trying to compare him with.

Top Five

Pettigrew of E-town

Haddix of Scott Co.

Proffit of South Laurel

Walls of Scott Co

Beckham of Ballard

 

 

Second Five

Anderson of Warren Central

Jefferson of Holmes

Jones of Bryan Station

Coleman of J-town

Doug Beaumont of Male

 

That's a very good list.

I agree that Knowles could be worked in, and I would also consider adding Hamilton from Ballard

Josh did a good job against Howard of Scott high school Saturday night. I am not hyping him as tops in the state though. Mike Hester of Sk is going to be my top ten in the state though!

 

Hester is one of the top juniors in the 8th region and the N.KY area, but he is not close to being ranked in the state.

Hester is one of the top juniors in the 8th region and the N.KY area, but he is not close to being ranked in the state.

 

Josh did okay against howard but he was in foul trouble .. hester on the other hand didnt' seem to be all there maybe it was just because he wasn't scoring everytime down the floor i guess. he is a good player but saying top ten in state is a massive stretch . i'll give him props in the 8th though

sorry i quoted the wrong person.. my mistake i meant to quote the quote in tiger1's comment

Knowles is the real deal. Have watched him since his Freshman year and he has a future. And yes, Gold Sunrise, this is Hilltopper complimenting a Cardinal player.

Knowles is the real deal. Have watched him since his Freshman year and he has a future. And yes, Gold Sunrise, this is Hilltopper complimenting a Cardinal player.

Thank you, :thumb: I support everyone in my region, and hope they all do well...except when playing the cards...