I know this thread is a little older, and its been discussed some, but I thought I would drag it out of the archives. Teams start practicing in a couple of weeks and I am getting a little antsy. Besides, now that we have seen all the transfers get nestled into their new schools, and we know for sure who is where, I thought it would be fun to reassess the 8th region.

 

 

I will start....and I am basing my ranking on the obvious..."pre-season". No teams have played yet so I will base my opinion on who returns for who, who graduated, who transferred in or out, what kind of experience is present, and how deep a team may seem to be.

 

1.) Shelby County - They return a bunch, including a very good post player in Justus Martin and two of last seasons 8th Region all region team members in MacKenzie and Savannah Raizor. They had a quality season last year and it should only get better for them this season.

 

2.) Walton Verona - I know some may frown on this and that is okay, I don't care. Let's just say I am putting them here because I am a totally emotional illogical fan. You can move them last if you want to, it wont hurt my feelings any.

 

3.) Trimble County - (Okay, Ive probably lost more of you in the credibility department...I still don't care.) With the addition of the guard from Henry County, this team moves up in my ranking. It helps answer ball handling and point guard questions they may have had. Trimble lost their leading scorer in Page Black and she will be hard to replace for sure. They do however return the Clifford girl who can flat out shoot. They return Shelby Black, a very nice post player with great size and strength. She is athletic for her size and will absolutely light you up from 3 point land. They are ALWAYS well coached and will be balanced. Trimble's offense has phenomenal ball and player movement. It is hard to guard when they are patient.

 

4.) Anderson County - I know they lost McKee and Cann however, I know they still have some quality athletes, some shooters and ball handlers with experience. Obviously they come down from the place they were, but they will not fall of the map.

 

5.) Simon Kenton - (For many of you, if I haven't lost you yet, I have now for sure) Here me out....They lost virtually their whole team to graduation. I think it was 7 Seniors and 6 of them either started or played major roles. They lost the best point guard in the region IMO. They lost something like 90% of their scoring. The lost all the best defenders they had. Yes they have potential with the returning upper class men, who had mostly been just role players, some quality younger players, and the addition of Ally Niece, however, it will take time for them to get better. Perhaps the second half or later part of the season they can fill their potential. They have a lot of work to do. One thing that will hurt them is that there depth, is very young, small and inexperienced. There is no way they play defense early in the season like they did last year, which was certainly one of the things that group could hang there hat on last year. Can they be ranked higher - yes, but not before the season starts, they will need a lot of the season to improve, get experience and get better. This shouldn't bother anyone anyway, its the end of the season that matters and I am sure they will be squeezing themselves in when that time comes.

 

6.) Gallatin County - Returning Hannah Dossett, arguably the best returning player in the region. They also return Junior Autumn Bowen who after the graduation of Brook Dossett, will certainly see her scoring continue to go up. I watched Bowen go 6 for 6 from 3 point land in last years regional game against Shelby County.

 

7.) Grant County

 

8.) Williamstown

 

9.) Carroll County - Saw them play at SOAS last spring. They are working hard and getting better.

 

10.) Oldham?? South Oldham?? I am struggling on this one people.

 

 

Now...you all please reply. Chop it up...agree, disagree, rewrite your own, call me crazy if you want to, that is fine. Things are getting closer and I like to see the banter and discussion. What say you?

 

Walton has to find a point guard before I have them in the Top 5. Don't underestimate SK, their underclassmen have been pretty successful the past couple of years.

Walton has to find a point guard before I have them in the Top 5. Don't underestimate SK, their underclassmen have been pretty successful the past couple of years.

 

I agree...don't underestimate SK. Putting them 5th in a preseason poll is not necesarliy underestimating them. It is only acknowledging that they have to overcome the loss of a team of very good Seniors. That usually takes a season or two to accomplish, however I give credit to SK's underclassmen by stating that they could very well recover quicker. I stated that by seasons end, they will be in the mix with the top teams in the region. That is clearly not underestimating them.

 

The irony here is that it could actually be you that is guilty of underestimating with your statement on Walton, and a point guard. If you are aware of Walton's point guards and you are stating that they need to find another one, then yes, that is gross underestimating at best. I hope this is not the case. That would be a shame. For the sake of being positive, I will assume that you honestly think there is no point guards on their roster. Let me ease your concern. Walton has point guards. In fact they have a couple. One of them that I am really looking forward to having a great year is Junior Shelby Beckham. Only playing the first 6 games last year due to a nagging knee issue from a prior injury, perhaps you are unaware of her. That's cleared up now, as she played summer ball and AAU. Having her back in the line up will help Walton tremendously. The kid can play and has tons of potential, that just as everyone else, will blossom as the season goes on.

 

With Shelby Beckham, Walton is clearly a top five team. In my opinion, they are higher, but honestly, I really don't care about rankings anyway, be it yours mine or anyone else.

I agree...don't underestimate SK. Putting them 5th in a preseason poll is not necesarliy underestimating them. It is only acknowledging that they have to overcome the loss of a team of very good Seniors. That usually takes a season or two to accomplish, however I give credit to SK's underclassmen by stating that they could very well recover quicker. I stated that by seasons end, they will be in the mix with the top teams in the region. That is clearly not underestimating them.

 

The irony here is that it could actually be you that is guilty of underestimating with your statement on Walton, and a point guard. If you are aware of Walton's point guards and you are stating that they need to find another one, then yes, that is gross underestimating at best. I hope this is not the case. That would be a shame. For the sake of being positive, I will assume that you honestly think there is no point guards on their roster. Let me ease your concern. Walton has point guards. In fact they have a couple. One of them that I am really looking forward to having a great year is Junior Shelby Beckham. Only playing the first 6 games last year due to a nagging knee issue from a prior injury, perhaps you are unaware of her. That's cleared up now, as she played summer ball and AAU. Having her back in the line up will help Walton tremendously. The kid can play and has tons of potential, that just as everyone else, will blossom as the season goes on.

 

With Shelby Beckham, Walton is clearly a top five team. In my opinion, they are higher, but honestly, I really don't care about rankings anyway, be it yours mine or anyone else.

 

Have to agree.

Walton has a few girls that can handle the basketball and that could give some teams bad match up problems.

You have 3 or 4 girls that at anytime could bring the ball up the floor.

Walton has a few girls that can handle the basketball and that could give some teams bad match up problems.

You have 3 or 4 girls that at anytime could bring the ball up the floor.

Agreed. But, the ability to handle the basketball does not make one a point guard. Point guard is a mentality. If anyone can step up with that mentality, WV could win the 8th Region in 2015.

Agreed. But, the ability to handle the basketball does not make one a point guard. Point guard is a mentality. If anyone can step up with that mentality, WV could win the 8th Region in 2015.

 

I think that is pretty much dead on, and a better way to say it. WV has point guards as far as position, who are quality players and are absolutely capable of filling the point. With the graduation of Shelby Mullikin (who was one tough cookie), it is time for those players to step up, develop and take their game to another level of this "mentality". Another factor is the WV coaching staff. It's hard to not to get to another level under Clink, Trame and Ballinger....they will get it out of you!

 

The pieces are there...the coaching is there...it will come together.