article Sweet 16 Preview: Campbell County Camels

[Randy Parker]

Campbell County Camels (25-9)

37th District Champions; 10th Region Champions

Head Coach: Aric Russell

How They Got Here: Defeated Bishop Brossart 66-44 (37th District Semi-Finals)

Defeated Scott 70-26 (37th District Finals)

Defeated Bourbon County 71-48 (10th Region Quarterfinals)

Defeated Pendleton County 81-67 (10th Region Semi-Finals)

Defeated Scott 89-57 (10th Region Finals)

 

 

Campbell County is making back-to-back appearances in the Sweet 16 after running roughshod over the 10th Region in the post season, winning 5 games by an average margin of 27 ppg, including a 32 point shellacking of Scott in the Regional Championship game. An improved, suffocating defense has been the difference-maker for Aric Russell's club--a defense which surrendered 48.5 ppg during District and Regional Tournament play.

 

Junior center Matt Wilson is the major component of Campbell's defensive strategy. The 6'9" former Quarterback is a shot-blocking force in the paint, while also scoring 14.6 ppg and grabbing 11.3 rpg. Wilson's 22 points and 17 rebounds in the 10th Region title game had much to do with the Camels' convincing win. The team's scoring leader is 6'3" senior Deondre Jackson, who averages 16.9 ppg. Jackson, a Kentucky State commit, is an athletic wing who can drive and shoot from the perimeter with success. Blake Losey is a 6'0 senior whose play improved as the season progressed. Losey scores 13.1 points per game and is a 49.3% shooter from the floor. Rounding out the starting five is 5'11" junior Trent McGovney (7.2 ppg), a scrappy point guard, and 6'2" senior forward Jake Franzen (3.4 ppg).

 

Russell has the luxury of bringing 3 players off the bench without losing much in terms of firepower. Cole Hegyi, a 6'2" sophomore, averages 6.7 ppg and can play 3 or maybe 4 positions on the floor. 6'2" senior Jordan Day (4.9 ppg) is a lanky wing who has started some games in the 2014-15 season. Craig Neltner (4.9 ppg and 4.7 rpg), a 6'3" senior, is a bruiser down low who doesn't have Wilson's defensive prowess, but will score and rebound effectively when called upon. This 8-man rotation was too much for 10th Region opponents in post season play, and Russell hopes that trend will continue at Rupp Arena.

 

Campbell County faced its Sweet 16 opening round opponent, Covington Catholic, on December 17th. The Camels trailed 41-39 after 3 quarters, but were outscored 24-7 in the final frame in a road loss. The two teams are familiar with one another, but the defending state champs have dominated the series of late, having won the last 15 contests. That is a trend Russell hopes to reverse, and he certainly has his team playing like it could do just that.

[kings102876]

Great write up Randy!

[afi100guy]

Great work as always Randy. Go Camels!!

[dd734]

Nice job Randy Parker........

[Mustang]

"junior Trent McGovney (7.2 ppg), a scrappy point guard,"

 

Understated. True, McGovney is a scrappy point guard, BUT much, much more to the team.

 

In his absence on the floor, watch the turnovers pile up!

[mcpapa]

"junior Trent McGovney (7.2 ppg), a scrappy point guard,"

 

Understated. True, McGovney is a scrappy point guard, BUT much, much more to the team.

 

In his absence on the floor, watch the turnovers pile up!

 

The games we've watched CC together, Randy and I call him "the glue".

[kings102876]

He is the leader of that team, no question. Good Luck Camels!

[JokersWild24]

I really liked Dre Jackson's game last year. Thought he was a kid who could do some things and that he had some "wow" moments.