2014-15 Kentucky High School Preview - 12th Region

 

“Three-Peat” is the word everyone in Wayne County wants to be saying come Mid-March 2015. But, Three-Peat is a word heard very rarely in 12th region basketball when referring to region champions. As a matter of fact, the last team to be able to say the word “Three-Peat” was the 1960 Monticello Trojans after winning the region in 1958, 1959, and 1960. Well, the Cardinals want to once again be saying “Three-Peat” in Wayne County this year by matching their former cross town foes’ three consecutive 12th Region titles. But, to claim that third straight trophy the Cardinals will have to survive arguably one of the toughest regions in the state this year as Boyle County, Southwestern, Lincoln County, amongst others await their opportunity to dethrone the champs.

 

 

 

12th Region Team Rankings:

 

 

1. Wayne County Cardinals

 

Rodney Woods is a name known all around the state when talking Kentucky high school basketball. He has won nine region titles and has been a state runner-up while coaching at Wayne County. This year’s team looks to be one of his best as Wayne County returns four starters on a team that went 31-1 last year and will be led by his son, senior Peyton Woods. Peyton was a scoring machine last year as he averaged 24.9 points a game and racked up 798 total points. The Cardinals also return junior point guard Trey Blevins. He is considered the heart and soul of this Cardinal team and averaged 18.2 points per game last season. Junior Corey Stearns is the 3rd piece of the Cardinal triad averaging 17.7 points per game. Look for senior Logan Gardner and junior Nick Gillespie to round out the starting five. The Cardinal bench is not deep but that has never been a problem for Coach Woods since he usually only goes six deep on any given night. Even though they look to have little depth, that will not stop them from running an up tempo offense that averaged 88.0 points per game last season. Is this once again the Cardinals year to play in Rupp Arena? Only time will tell. But, all other 12th Region teams know the road to Rupp will run through Wayne County.

 

 

2. Boyle County Rebels

 

You know Coach Steve Adams was smiling when he heard the news that Jeremiah Bell was transferring to Boyle County. Who is Jeremiah Bell? Well, he was one of the top point guards in the 6th Region last year at Louisville Butler averaging 15.2 points per game and now he will be a Boyle County Rebel for his senior season. Add him to a team with senior Hagen Tyler and all of a sudden a really good team becomes a serious contender for the 12th Region title. Hagen Tyler averaged 23.7 point per game last year for the Rebels and is considered the top player in the region for the 2014-2015 season. Boyle County will also have an inside presence in 6’6” junior big man Colton Elkins. Colton’s size will be a challenge for anyone in the region. Add seniors Chapman Bean, Keagan Hinkle, Zach Leigh, Tristen Bell, and junior Josiah Robbins, and you have all the ingredients for a 12th Region title.

 

 

3. Southwestern Warriors

 

The Warriors made a really good attempt at making it to Rupp Arena last season, but fell in the 12th Region finals to Wayne County 78-74. With the loss of the #1 player in the region Justin Edwards, the Warriors are looking to rebuild around the young talent coming up through the Southwestern pipeline. With the addition of two strong transfers, Southwestern looks to once again be in the hunt for their second region title. The Warriors will be led by 6’5” senior center Dylan Gaskins and senior point guard Adam Isaacs. Pulaski County transfer sophomore Peyton Gover and African transfer 6’8” junior David Adeyemo will add depth to a team that could easily go nine deep without missing a step. Look for Southwestern to bring intense defense to every game they play and push the pace on offense. Southwestern should once again be poised to make a deep run in the region come seasons end.

 

 

4. Lincoln County Patriots

 

With a 26-6 record and ranked in the top 25 teams in the state for most of the year last season, the Patriots of Lincoln County were a little disappointed in their 66-60 loss to Southwestern in the semi-region. With the loss of only one senior from last year, the Patriots are looking to take it a step or two further this season in their quest to return to the Sweet Sixteen. Lincoln County is the defending 45th district champions and returns two of the top players in the region in seniors Jacob Conway and Timmy Taylor. Taylor is considered one of the top point guards not only in the region but in the state. Expect epic battles between point guards Timmy Taylor and Jeremiah Bell of Boyle County when these two district rivals face off.

 

 

5. Mercer County Titans

 

Mercer County is one of the unknowns this preseason. They lost a lot of scoring to graduation plus they also have a new coach in Josh Cook. But, the big question that remains unanswered is….Will Malik Dow become eligible? As of this date Malik lost his appeal to the KHSAA and is currently ineligible. He is an elite junior power forward who transferred from Louisville Ballard to Mercer County this summer. If he were eligible, Mercer County would be in the thick of the 12th region title hunt and probably a top four team. Without him they will still be competitive but will rely heavily on junior standout Will Hager for points. Hager averaged 18.7 point per game last season and is considered one of the top players in the region this year. The Titans also have a stellar freshman in Trevon Faulkner who will also be relied upon for scoring.

 

 

6. West Jessamine Colts

 

West Jessamine is another team that lost a lot of scoring to graduation. But, anyone that knows 12th Region basketball knows a Damon Kelley coached team is never one to be overlooked. The two time defending District 46 champs will rely on senior Brooks Ely, who averaged 11.4 points per game from last year, to help guide them to a third district title. Senior Daulton Crouse and junior Siah Holifield will be asked to contribute as well. The Colts have a nice sophomore class to complement the upper classmen so look for West Jessamine to be ready to challenge the region come seasons end.

 

 

7. Pulaski County Maroons

 

The look of the Pulaski County Maroons changed some in the offseason. After winner their fifth consecutive 47th district title, the Pulaski administration and former head coach Al Gover decided to part ways. Pulaski County hired new head coach Jimmy Voight. The Maroons had a surprisingly good season last year at 17-13 and look to improve on that success this year. They will have to do it without one of their leading scorers Peyton Gover who transferred to Southwestern. But the rest of the team will be back and ready to defend their district title streak with hopes of make some noise in the region. Pulaski County will be led by seniors Sean Ross and Blake Burton. Don’t expect too much from the Maroons to start the season because they have plans of winning a state football title before some will lace up their sneakers.

 

 

8. Danville Admirals

 

The Danville Admirals were a competitive team last season with a 13-15 record. But, Coach Ed McKinney wants to be more than competitive. He wants to win the Class A region, upset one of the 45th District elites, and find the Admirals in the 12th Region Tournament come seasons end. To do this the Admirals will rely on the athleticism of senior forward Cody Wooldridge for offensive productivity and team leadership. Senior guard Trevin Washington will also be back in the line-up after missing most of last season. The loss of junior Jakobi Turner to a football injury will hurt but the Admirals are hoping he can make it back by seasons end. The Admirals will be looking forward to a potential battle in late January against Somerset for “Class A” supremacy.

 

 

9. Casey County Rebels

 

Last season turned out to be a pretty good one for the Rebels. Although their record was only 12-21, they gradually improved and, at the end of the season, found themselves in the 12th Region Tournament. Now starting their second season under Coach Maze Stallworth, the Rebels look to continue building on their success and challenge Pulaski County for the 47th District title. There is also the possibility sophomore transfer D.J. White from Madisonville-North Hopkins becomes eligible which would give the Rebels a strong inside presence that could catapult them to district favorites. As of now White has not been ruled eligible so they will rely on a strong sophomore class to bring the district title back to Liberty, Kentucky.

 

 

10. Somerset Briar Jumpers

 

Coach Jeff Cothron has had a good start in his two years at the helm of the Somerset Briar Jumpers. Somerset was 12th Region runner-up in 2013 and have won two consecutive “All A” region titles. Somerset lost one of the top scorers in the 12th Region to graduation but returns a team full of experience. Senior Tyler Dishman will be asked to step up and lead the Briar Jumpers along with sophomore Landon Powell. The Briar Jumpers are looking to win a 3rd straight Class A region title but would love to get the opportunity to play for the 47th District title. Watch out for the Briar Jumpers. They could be a dark horse to win the 47th District.

 

 

11. Rockcastle County Rockets

 

Although the Rockets graduated four seniors Coach Benny Blanton believes they have just as good an opportunity to win the 47th District as the other three teams. That’s because he has confidence in senior point guard Sam Pensol and sophomore post Lucas Gentry. Add senior Dakota Hasty and the Rockets should be a challenge for anyone in the 47th District.

 

 

12. East Jessamine Jaguars

 

With the transfer of Ronnie Carson to Scott County, Coach Chris O’Bryan will be looking for someone else to generate offensive productivity for his Jaguars. Senior Hayden Smith is a good three point shooter and junior Camryn Jones can handle the ball. Can these two create scoring opportunities for each other? Who else will contribute? These are questions to be answered for a team that was expecting to return to the regional tournament but are now looking to fill a big void.

 

 

13. Garrard County Golden Lions

 

The Lions went 11-18 last year but new head coach Josh Henderson hopes to get them on the winning track. The junior class has a lot of experience but the Golden Lions will have a difficult time competing in the very tough 45th District. Although they hope to be improved by seasons end, expect Garrard County to be fourth in district and looking for the upset in the district tournament.

 

 

14. McCreary Central Raiders

 

McCreary County is a few years away from being competitive in the 48th District. Coach Robert Jones does have something to look forward to though. He has a strong freshman class that in time could compete with anyone in the region. This year looks to be similar to last year but hopefully they will improve from the 1-23 record they had last season.

 

 

15. Burgin Bulldogs

 

Burgin looks to return all five starters from last season and hopes to improve from their 3-28 record.

 

 

16. Kentucky School for the Deaf Colonels

 

The Colonels are looking to improve on their record from last season of 12-17.

 

 

 

12th Region Top 10 Players:

 

1. Hagen Tyler- Senior, Boyle County

Tyler is the most athletic and versatile player in the 12th Region.

 

2. Jeremiah Bell- Senior, Boyle County

Jeramiah is a quick, crafty point guard who will bring big city flair to the 12th Region.

 

3. Peyton Woods- Senior, Wayne County

Payton is the best shooter in the 12th Region.

 

4. Timmy Taylor- Senior, Lincoln County

Timmy has committed to play college basketball at Lincoln Memorial.

 

5. Will Hager- Junior, Mercer County

Will is considered by many as the best underclassman in the 12th Region.

 

6. Trey Blevins- Junior, Wayne County

You can literally feel the passion Trey has for the game each time you watch him play.

 

7. Jacob Conway- Senior, Lincoln County

Jacob is a dangerous scorer from anywhere on the court.

 

8. Corey Stearns- Junior, Wayne County

Cory is an inside outside player with very good leaping ability.

 

9. Dylan Gaskins- Senior, Southwestern

Dylan’s post play was one of the big reasons the Warriors were 12th Region runner-up last season.

 

10. Colton Elkins- Junior, Boyle County

Colton’s size and strength inside will be a formidable challenge for any opponent.

 

 

Honorable Mention:

 

Sr. Adam Isaacs- Southwestern

So. Peyton Gover- Southwestern

Sr. Sean Ross- Pulaski County

Sr. Tyler Dishman- Somerset

Sr. Brooks Ely- West Jessamine

Sr. Sam Pensol- Rockcastle County

So. Colin Miller- Casey County

Sr. Cody Wooldridge- Danville

Jr. Camryn Jones- East Jessamine

Edited November 10, 201411 yr by PurplePride92

Good Work, SHS Future! :thumb:

Looks pretty good to me. Good article. Sw has 3 other kids that could easily be in the honorable mention by years end. fitzgerald, butt and cromer. imo

Excellent preview!!!!!

 

I am expecting a Southwestern/Boyle County region final game with Boyle County pulling out the victory and heading to Rupp Arena. I love that the region tournament is at Lincoln County this year. 10 minutes from the crib. I can't wait!!!!!!!

Looks pretty good to me. Good article. Sw has 3 other kids that could easily be in the honorable mention by years end. fitzgerald, butt and cromer. imo

 

I agree! Southwestern has a lot of young talent.

Hearing through the grapevine that Malik Dow will be ruled eligible effective immediately. I think that makes Mercer County solidly #5.

I'm trying to figure out where Dow would go in the rankings. I'd have him somewhere between 6-10 but not sure where.

Hearing through the grapevine that Malik Dow will be ruled eligible effective immediately. I think that makes Mercer County solidly #5.

 

Just saw confirmation on Twitter....he has been cleared to play this season. That's from his AAU coach

Hearing through the grapevine that Malik Dow will be ruled eligible effective immediately. I think that makes Mercer County solidly #5.

 

Glad to hear that, the khsaa got that one right. Should add to the excitement for the 12th region.

I'm trying to figure out where Dow would go in the rankings. I'd have him somewhere between 6-10 but not sure where.

You really don't think Dow is one of the top 5 kids in the 12th?

I feel like Lincoln Co isn't getting the respect they deserve. They were a borderline top 10 team in the state at the end of last season, and return pretty much everybody. I would have them slightly ahead of Boyle Co at number 2.

 

The 12th should be great this year with 4 top 20 teams.

You really don't think Dow is one of the top 5 kids in the 12th?

 

No. He's not better than Will Hager IMO.

I feel like Lincoln Co isn't getting the respect they deserve. They were a borderline top 10 team in the state at the end of last season, and return pretty much everybody. I would have them slightly ahead of Boyle Co at number 2.

 

The 12th should be great this year with 4 top 20 teams.

 

No way. Lincoln County is 4th where they should be.

No. He's not better than Will Hager IMO.

Well, I'm excited to see that with my own two eyeballs then.:thumb:

Well, I'm excited to see that with my own two eyeballs then.:thumb:

 

Will Hager is the best player in the state that noone talks about. Kid can play. Not flashy and he won't do anything that will make you say wow but night in and night out he consistently gets the job done at a high level. 6'4"ish I believe and can and should run the point. He'll likely average 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Mercer County this year. I call him Mr. And One. Excellent body control and super effiicent at scoring inside the paint while drawing contact.

 

He's a helluva player. You won't be disappointed.