Kenny Higgs graduated from high school in 1974. He always put on a show.

 

Thanks, never got to see him but heard stories about him from!! I sure he packed the Owensboro Center (not sure of the name) back in those days.

Deron Feldhaus - c/o 1987

Allan Houston? Dan Issel? Louis Dampier???

Love your list, and the discussion.

 

I'd like to add a few notable players off the top of my head from Northern Kentucky who were sensational.

 

Doug Schloemer - '78 Holmes grad - Mr. Basketball - Nice career at University of Cincinnati.

 

Scott Draud - '86 Highlands grad - One of the most pure shooters I have ever seen. Held the 9th Region all time scoring record until last season when Dixie's Brandon Hatton (now at Vermont) broke it. Draud typically shot a lot of his shots beyond the 3 point line before they counted for 3. He went on to play at Vanderbilt having a very nice career as a Commodore. He also has the distinction of being the first player ever at Vanderbilt to make a 3 point shot.

 

Ronny Dawn - '01 NewCath grad - Had one of the quickest first steps I've ever seen by a high school player. Could shoot the lights out. Once saw him score 50 in a game. Went on to have a respectable college career at Marshall.

 

Justin Doellman - '03 Ryle grad - exceptional high school player who went on to have a fine career at Xavier, and is still playing professional ball today for FC Barcelona of the ACB League in Europe in his 8th pro season.

 

Ross Neltner - '03 Highlands grad - Mr. Basketball - Had respectable career at both LSU & Vanderbilt

I can't believe probably the best high school player barely mentioned would be in the conversation for the best ever in Kentucky, Wes Unseld from Louisville Seneca. The man was just a beast. If he would have gone to Kentucky his legend would be monumental, but we all know why he didn't or couldn't in the mid-60's.

 

Some others not mentioned, Leonard Coulter from Danville, Ron King for Louisville Central, Eugene Lyons from Virgie, these guys could play.

A lot of great answers. Definitely think the rest of the country started focusing on basketball while IN & KY had been on it. I also think journalism has changed. Doesn't seem to be the focus on writing about high school basketball like it used to. This year Owensboro and Apollo both have a kid with multiple high level D1 offers but I can almost guarantee there won't be a write up leading into their game on January 2nd.

 

That is a great point, the coverage of High School basketball just isnt what it was back in the 70's and 80's, when I played there were articles every week on teams, players and big games were hyped so if someone was a star Jack Givens - Darryl Griffth everyone would know and you couldnt get a ticket to a big game. But still our state isnt producing the top line players like we used to.

Allan Houston? Dan Issel? Louis Dampier???

 

Allan Houston was listed. Dan Issel went to high school in Illinois, Louis Dampier in Indiana.

Raymond Spalding for Trinity is a highly sought after recruit. Signed to play ball at UofL.

Thanks, never got to see him but heard stories about him from!! I sure he packed the Owensboro Center (not sure of the name) back in those days.

 

He and I were the same year in school at rival schools. And, Yes, the Owensboro Sportscenter was often filled for high school games back in those days. Both Owensboro High School and Apollo High School played their home games there, as did Kentucky Wesleyan. The Ninth District and Third Region tournaments were always there. I watched a lot of basketball there.

Raymond Spalding for Trinity is a highly sought after recruit. Signed to play ball at UofL.

 

Very nice player but would you consider his recruitment like that of Rex Chapman, Winston Bennet, Manual Forrest Allan Houston just to name a few from my day.

Northside, did you play for Henry Clay?

I guess a better way to frame this discussion is how many Kentucky high school players in the past 15 -20 years could have gone to any school in the country Duke, UK, UofL, Kansas, NC etc. like a Rex Chapman, Winston Bennett, Allan Houston, Darryl Griffith, Dirk Minniefield could have, I dont think the state has produced very many in recent years.

Northside, did you play for Henry Clay?

 

I'm from the Northside!! LOL Bryan Station territory!! Dont like those HC Devils!!

Northside for us in NKY is a totally different place.

I can't believe probably the best high school player barely mentioned would be in the conversation for the best ever in Kentucky, Wes Unseld from Louisville Seneca. The man was just a beast. If he would have gone to Kentucky his legend would be monumental, but we all know why he didn't or couldn't in the mid-60's.

 

Some others not mentioned, Leonard Coulter from Danville, Ron King for Louisville Central, Eugene Lyons from Virgie, these guys could play.

 

Coulter could play for sure. Solid career at Morehead; he was a senior when I started there in 1973.