What is the outlook for the 8th region in 2015-16? Not much has been said so far, and it's about time for the prognosticators to do their bidding. Big things are expected for Simon Kenton, but after that it appears to be anyone's guess. New coaches at Collins, Oldham Co., South Oldham (as of yet undetermined), and maybe more might make this a developing story.

I have no problem putting SK at the top of any 8th region preseason ranking. The 8th Region reigning Champs will have to overcome the loss of perhaps their two best defenders and their second leading points producer, however, they have a deep underclass talent pool and a lot of kids that played over the summer. As they reload, they will be led by all region player, and 8th region tournament MVP, Allison Niece. Niece comes back after a freshmen season where she tallied 16.5 ppg and shot 47.8% from the field. Also returning is Junior center Madi Meier who returns off of a 10.7 ppg and 8.3 rpg effort last season.

 

As far as who is after that, there are several teams to consider.

 

Walton-Verona has to be put in the mix. Minus the loss of one player to graduation, they return the remaining rotation from last season. The Bearcats will be led by the Senior combo of Hailey Ison and Morgan Simpson. Ison, a two time all region player, is the leading returning scorer in the region at 18.1 ppg. Shooting just under 42% from the 3 point line and 44% overall, Ison led the state last season in free throw percentage at 89.5%. Simpson, one of the regions top rebounders at 8.4 rpg, will look to build on last seasons 13.6 ppg. One of Walton-Verona's strength could be its large Senior class. In addition to Ison and Simpson, Shelby Beckham, Zoe Luebbe, Olivia DeZarn and Emma Rodgers are all major contributors. If the younger talent merges into the mix, the Bearcats could be one of the deeper more experienced teams in the region.

 

Shelby County could still be a factor. They return their leading scorer from last seasons very deep team, and the regions top big in 6' Senior Justus Martin. Martin comes off of a 9.7ppg and 6.6 rig effort last season. The Rockets will have a big hurdle to overcome, having lost 5 to graduation, however in speaking with Coach Holland over the summer, he was confident that there were some younger perimeter players in the program that were ready to make an impact. If so, then Shelby County could be back in the mix of things.

 

Anderson should still be competitive. They graduated three of their starting 5, however they return all region player in top shooting guard Kaci Currens (no stats listed for Anderson County on the KHSAA sight. C'mon coach!). The Bearcats appear to still be a very guard heavy team, so you can expect Coach Birdwhistell to once again, play an uptempo, back and forth, style.

 

Another team to possibly consider in the mix is Trimble County. They return both of their leading scorers off of last years team in all region Juniors Shelbe Black (11.8 ppg) and Kaylee Clifford (11.5 ppg). Black, a 6' plus center, comes in shooting 49.6% overall, including 32% from the 3 point mark, while grabbing just under 7 rebounds a game. Clifford, a lengthy shooting guard, returns to build on her 41.2 field goal percentage and 4.1 rpg from last season. The biggest question mark for the Raiders will be at point guard. If they can find that answer, then they can again look to get back in the mix of things in the 2016 8th region tournament.

 

Another team to add is Williamstown. They will be led by Junior all region player Michaela Kennedy and Senior Rachel Montgomery. Kennedy, a shooting guard, comes back off of a 15.1 ppg campaign last season while shooting 32.6 from the 3 point line. Montgomery, returns from a 14.9 ppg effort and 5 rebounds per game. When you add an experienced Senior point guard in Katie Cheek (9.7 ppg), the Lady Demons should have the pieces to compete. The biggest question for Williamstown will be depth.

Saw several of the teams play this summer, and this region could be pretty balanced when you talk about top teams 1-8. Was impressed with Williamstown after not seeing them at all last year, that district will be a war. When you look at the districts the 32nd will have 3 strong teams, walton, w-town, and Simon of course, 30th has 4 teams that will improve as the year goes on, and should all be competitive towards the end of the season, Collins and Spencer have some good young talent and should get tons better as the years goes on. Anderson and Shelby should be the favorite. Love Currens as she will lead the Bearcats, but they have some good pieces around her and the system is in place. Shelby has Martin who probably is POY in my opinion after seeing her in AAU with the Premier, Madison Todd will be a top 5 player in the region, and their PG Zephy Gray will shock some people. However I think we overlook the 29th, Trimble has a really good starting 5, hard to win 3 at a regional tourney, however that first round game for someone, look out, and they will win that district. 2 of the Oldham's will have new coaches, new kids, look for North maybe to sneak into tourney.

Gallatin still the favorite in their district BUT new coach, Holly was great on the sideline so they are questionable, with Henry, Carroll, and Owen all improving, I saw Owen and thought they had got alot better. Should be alot of good basketball this season. Region is at Shelby, making it alot more interesting.

I think the 8th will be very competitive with the following being my top 5:

 

1) Simon Kenton. They are loaded and a top 10-15 team.

 

2) Trimble. Lots of talent coming back, and will be a match-up nightmare.

 

3) Walton Verona. They bring most everyone back, with who might be the pre-season POY.

 

4) Shelby. Martin is the toughest player to match-up with in the region. The supporting cast is very underrated.

 

5) Collins. You certainly could make a case for Williamstown, but Collins returns everyone from a team that nearly won 20 games.

5) Collins. You certainly could make a case for Williamstown, but Collins returns everyone from a team that nearly won 20 games.

 

I can see the adding of Collins with the record they had last year, I just wasn't sure what they lost. Admittedly, they are one team in the region I have not seen very much of. I do still think I would give Williamstown a higher preseason ranking over Collins simply because of Kennedy and Montgomery.

Triple sevens you are correct, 20 games against competition would be different. Looking at their schedule they didnt play anyone last season outside of their district really. W-town plays Simon, Walton twice each, and maybe again in the ALL A with Trimble Co. That All A could be fun to watch, anyone know the draw for the girls and where it is held?

I think the 8th will be very competitive with the following being my top 5:

 

1) Simon Kenton. They are loaded and a top 10-15 team.

 

2) Trimble. Lots of talent coming back, and will be a match-up nightmare.

 

3) Walton Verona. They bring most everyone back, with who might be the pre-season POY.

 

4) Shelby. Martin is the toughest player to match-up with in the region. The supporting cast is very underrated.

 

5) Collins. You certainly could make a case for Williamstown, but Collins returns everyone from a team that nearly won 20 games.

 

I think WV may be a little too high. They did not impress me this summer, with returning most of their core.

I have no problem putting SK at the top of any 8th region preseason ranking. The 8th Region reigning Champs will have to overcome the loss of perhaps their two best defenders and their second leading points producer, however, they have a deep underclass talent pool and a lot of kids that played over the summer. As they reload, they will be led by all region player, and 8th region tournament MVP, Allison Niece. Niece comes back after a freshmen season where she tallied 16.5 ppg and shot 47.8% from the field. Also returning is Junior center Madi Meier who returns off of a 10.7 ppg and 8.3 rpg effort last season.

 

Oh Danny boy

Edited September 25, 201511 yr by True blue (and gold)
fixed quote tags

Run a ton of offense and it is suited for them, solid coaching staff that works well together, a POY candidate in Ison. They are in the mix for winning the region. Their district 1st round game could be Williamstown and would make a great elimination game. They could play W-twon 4 times this year, both have great guards and that is what wins at tourney time in my opinion.

I think WV may be a little too high. They did not impress me this summer, with returning most of their core.

 

I know I am speaking the obvious in stating this, but just as a reminder, as a general rule, it can be very misleading to gauge what a team will actually be based on any summer game or games.

 

A perfect example...I saw Trimble play this summer one time, and had I not known any better, I would have left thinking they would be a non factor of any sort. I guarantee come start of the season, they will not be the same product I saw one time in June.

I can see the adding of Collins with the record they had last year, I just wasn't sure what they lost. Admittedly, they are one team in the region I have not seen very much of. I do still think I would give Williamstown a higher preseason ranking over Collins simply because of Kennedy and Montgomery.

 

They did win quite a few games last year but they played a weak schedule. I think that was mostly because Coach Conder knew he was going to have a really young team so he didn't schedule as tough, similar to what Shelby did for a few years. Pretty much everyone is back and I think having a new coach will help them a lot. Conder was a great guy but really didn't seem to know much about coaching. Collins will play quite a few freshman but also have 3 talented seniors in Zantasha King, Whitney Pullen, and Michelle Roberts along with junior forward Hannah Renfro. They should be better this year and continue to improve as the season goes on. I think #5 is a good spot for Collins but I would probably put Anderson over them before Williamstown.

First of all Blue and Black, I am glad you support the Titans, but to say Conder doesnt know anything about basketball is wrong. You better hope your new coach knows some basketball then, Spencer is much better and I could see them being the #4 seed, the Titans are young, Fedderle (Spelling) is a nice player, Pullen and Roberts have a chance at all region maybe. The are not better than Williamstown just a fact, as they have 2 legitimate all region players. Improving all year is a must for the Titans, but remember that Shelby/Spencer/Anderson all have young talent, strong district, should make for an intersting tourney. Conder did a great job for Collins last year with their growth process and moved onto greater and better things for him.

do any of these teams have the strength to compete witht he Louisville Powerhouses or Etown?

do any of these teams have the strength to compete witht he Louisville Powerhouses or Etown?

 

We shall see at the LEX CATH tournament!

I think so, last year Shelby beat Male, Simon had some great wins as well, its all about the draw at the state tourney, we all know that, E-town had the best team last year and didnt win it so who knows on any given night. There is some very good talent in our state and some very good coaches. The LIT for girls is a good gauge of where teams are in my opinion. Who is in the Lex Cath tourney this year?