The 11th region is once again primed to be one of the most formidable in the Commonwealth entering the 2015-2016 season. The talent level in the region is on the upswing and some of the best young players in Kentucky can be found in the 11th. Gone are the days of 5 seniors starting on the top teams in the region. There is a definite youth movement in the region. Traditional powers like Scott County and Lexington Catholic will be relying on sophomores and freshmen in crucial roles while Dunbar, Henry Clay and Bryan Station will be led by veterans trying to make one final push to Rupp Arena. I believe there are as many as 6 teams that could win the region. However, 4 of those teams are in the always brutal 43rd district. Beyond that, there are a lot of interesting subplots in each district that bear keeping an eye on as the season progresses.

 

1. Bryan Station (22-8, Region Runner-Up) – This is probably a surprise to many as Dunbar is the popular pick to represent the 11th at Rupp in March, but I lean towards the Defenders at this point. Station fell to Lexington Catholic by 3 in the regional final back in March but I expect that to make them even hungrier this time around. For my money, DeAndre Dishman is the best player in the region this year and Andre Davis isn’t very far behind. With this being the second year at the helm for Head Coach Tommy Johnson, I anticipate even more improvement for the program. The Defenders play hard and fast, averaging 68 PPG last season while playing up tempo whenever possible. Finally, the Defenders will be battle tested by February. The last 3 weeks of the regular season they travel to Taylor County, Paris, Bullitt East and Lafayette and host Dunbar, Scott County and LCA.

 

X-Factor: Health. If Davis or Dishman were to miss extended time for any reason, I’m not sure if they have any underclassmen ready to step up. In a region full of talented young players, I haven’t heard of many young players ready to contribute for Bryan Station.

 

2. Dunbar (14-15, lost in district semi-final) – Darius Williams and Taveion Hollingsworth make a very formidable (and high scoring) wing duo for the Bulldogs but Senior Jordan Lewis (aka J-Lew) is the one who makes this team go. He’s a bolt of lightning in the open floor and an above average decision maker. Many people are picking PLD to win the region but to do that, they’ll have to survive one of the best districts in the state and likely beat Henry Clay and/or Bryan Station in the region. They dropped both meetings with Station last season and beat Clay twice. And for all the hype, they only went 7-9 against region foes and 4-5 in the district last season. If they can secure the top seed in the district, that will help. Having said that, there are no easy games in the 43rd and they will need to bring it every night to make the short drive to Rupp in March as anything other than spectators. If they can find that motor every night, they can very well be #1 when the dust settles. A very good schedule will challenge them every night.

 

X-Factor: Keeping everyone on the floor. Last year there were multiple members of the team who missed time for various off the court issues. This caused them to sputter out of the gate and not hit their stride until late in the year. If Coach Scott Chalk can keep everyone focused, they will be right at the top of the 11th all year long.

 

3. Lafayette (21-12, lost in region semi-final) – Lafayette returns all but one player off last year’s region semi-finalist. Ross Jenkins is the anchor in the middle and is the best pure post player in the region. Harrison Lane has been shooting the lights out for what seems like a decade. The Generals also have quality, experienced depth. They return 8 players who saw significant game action last year. Lafayette could easily be the best team in the region by February and they’ll have ample opportunity to prove it. They play Lex Cath, LCA, Mercer County, Bryan Station, Trinity, Henry Clay and Boyle County in consecutive games to close out the regular season. Coach Mike Mendenhall III has proven to be a very capable coach. As he enters his fifth year at Lafayette, he tries to win his first district title at the school.

 

X-Factor: Rebounding. Behind Ross Jenkins, Lafayette has a lot of kids 6’1 and under. In order for them to compete against some of the bigger teams in the 11th, they’ll need to gang rebound and be very fundamental. Who will help Ross Jenkins? Other than him and the departed Lucky Jackson, no one averaged more than 2.9 RPG last season.

 

4. Henry Clay (21-11, lost in region semi-final) – Honestly, I was very tempted to rank the Blue Devils as high as #1. They return 8 seniors with a lot of size and length. Isaiah Tisdale is one of the best returning players in the region and they have a lot of pieces around him. 6-6 Jacoby Sims, 6-5 Jordan Houston, 6-4 Leander Ridgeway and 6-3 Justin Mitchell form a solid nucleus with the potential to run, trap, play passing lanes and generally wreak havoc on every night in the 11th. With the size and length they bring back, Clay will most definitely be a factor in deciding who makes it to Rupp. Coach Daniel Brown looks to guide his team back to a 4th straight regional tournament berth.

 

X-Factor: Justin Mitchell. On a senior laden team, Mitchell may be the best college prospect on the Henry Clay roster. He has the size, length and athleticism to be a really good wing and already has interest from several Division 1 schools. Is he going to be assertive enough to make sure he gets touches in the offense or is he going to be relegated to being a defender and helping with rebounding duties? If he can compliment Tisdale on offense, I like their chances a lot better in February.

 

5. Lexington Catholic (24-9, Region Champion) – Gone are veterans Tanner Johnson, Jarod Griffin, Reese Ryan, Walker Booth and Michael Talbott. It’s a youth movement for the Knights this season. Junior Luke Johnson steps into the starting PG role after a year spent at Lafayette. Junior Peter Whitman joins sophomores Zan Payne and Max Sparkman in the front court. Sophomore sharpshooter TC Price already holds an offer from Toledo. The biggest issue starting out could be defining roles for the Knights. Donovan Morris and Joseph Ogbogu will be counted on for leadership. Luke Johnson can score with anyone in the state but will he contribute on the defensive end? Will TC Price or someone else step into the scoring and shooting void left by Tanner Johnson’s graduation? Right now the Knights have lots of questions but Coach Brandon Salsman is one of the best around and tradition never graduates. I’m not sure if the Knights can repeat but they will definitely give it their best shot.

 

X-Factor: Peter Whitman. A legitimate 6’7 post player, Peter has yet to show the skills that got his older brother Jack a Division 1 scholarship. Having said that, Jack made the biggest leap starting in his junior year. If Peter can shed the “soft” label that has been attached to him for years and break out, I like the Knights chances to repeat much better.

 

6. Lexington Christian (19-10, lost in district semi-finals) - The Eagles enter the 2015-16 season without current Samford Bulldog Matt Rose. Losing Rose to graduation is a massive loss but that loss could make this a season that LCA actually flies under the radar. LCA will be led by Senior guard Trevor Hill as he returns from an ACL tear suffered last season. Tre King probably has the highest ceiling of any of the kids in the city. Standing almost 6’8 and having a solid jump shot and a decent handle should bring lots of college coaches knocking on King’s door but he has to consistently put it all together. Freshman Kyle Rode is one to keep an eye on. He’s been on top of the 2019 class in Kentucky for years and will see the opposition’s best defender every night. It will be interesting to see if he can evolve into being “the man” on this LCA team at only 15 years old.

 

X-Factor: Isiah Hunt. The freshman PG comes to LCA from Madisonville. He’s already mentioned as one of the best freshmen in the state and will only continue to get better. If he can be assertive and create for others, LCA becomes very dangerous. If Hunt plays like a freshman, then Rode and Hill have to become the primary ball handlers instead of being able to attack off the wings.

 

7. Madison Southern (13-15, lost in district semi-final) - Southern lost to Central in overtime last season and this looks like their best chance to win a district that Central has owned for 20 straight years. A senior laden team, this group of Eagles has everything Coach Shane Buttry needs to win the district and possibly win a game or two in the region tournament.

 

X-Factor: Tanner Kidwell. A kid who is very much a known commodity around the 11th region, Kidwell needs to make the leap in his senior season. After averaging 13 points and 6 rebounds a year ago, Tanner will need to improve upon those numbers and get his teammates involved more as a facilitator if he wants to lead his team to a district title and regional tournament berth.

 

8. Madison Central (18-12, lost in region quarterfinal) - The Indians have won every district championship for the last 2 decades but this could be the year that their dominance ends. Coach Feldhaus returns a lot of kids from last season but there is no Dominique Hawkins or Ken-Jah Bosley among them. Senior Terique Miller will be counted on to do a lot of scoring. He led Central with 7.7 PPG a year ago.

 

X-Factor: Size (or lack thereof). The Indians will be one of the smaller teams in the region. They will rely on pace of play and gang rebounding to help negate their disadvantage but you have to wonder how they will guard kids like DeAndre Dishman and Ross Jenkins.

 

9. Scott County (17-12, lost in district semi-final) - Scott County will likely be one of the youngest teams in the state. Led by Freshman Michael Moreno, these young Cardinals are likely to take their lumps this year, especially early on. But, they still have Billy Hicks and all 20 of his assistants patrolling the sidelines. Coach Hicks will rely on Senior Tay Guyn and Junior Cooper Watts to help with the youth movement in Georgetown.

 

X-Factor: Bryce Long. Moreno gets all the headlines in the Cardinals’ 2019 class but Long was the MVP of last year’s 8th grade state tournament. Don’t be surprised to see Long playing significant minutes for SC early and often.

 

10. Frankfort (12-12, lost in district semi-final) - These Panthers were truly Jekyll and Hyde a season ago. They went to OT with Lafayette and beat Franklin County twice but lost to Sayre twice and dropped the third (and final) meeting with County in the first round of districts. Seniors Malik Frank and Anthony Robinson hope to have a more consistent Senior campaign than their junior season and lead their team back to the 11th region tournament.

 

X-Factor: Bench play. Only 7 players saw significant minutes for Frankfort last year and 3 of those graduated. Coach Nick Barton will need to develop some depth and avoid injuries if they want to make any noise in February.

 

11. Tates Creek (11-16, lost in district first round) - Coach Mike Allen takes over at Tates Creek and looks to put his stamp on the program. If Creek is going to have success, it will be with youth leading the way. Juniors Isaiah Patterson and Robert Gardener will man the front court while sophomore Eric Boone and freshman Isaiah Allen (the coach’s son) will likely handle the ball handling duties.

 

X-Factor: Defense. After watching Tates play at KBA this summer, I’m not sure they ever got a crucial defensive stop in the 2 and a half games I watched. They won’t be able to just outscore people in the 11th. Coach Allen will need to get his troops motivated to play some hard-nosed defense.

 

12. Woodford County (18-12, lost in region quarterfinals) - Coach Scott Hundley has to replace 7 seniors off of last year’s district runner up team. They will be small but you can guarantee they will run Coach Hundley’s system and they will be fundamental. Woodford County rarely beats themselves.

 

X-Factor: 3 Point Shooting. Expect to see the Yellow Jackets let it fly from deep early and often every single game. If they are hitting outside shots, they can run with anyone in the region. If not, they’ll likely watch the regional tournament from the stands.

 

13. Sayre (15-14, lost in district semi-final) - Junior Jake Duby returns after averaging 19 PPG last season. Duby is one of the better players in the 11th who you never hear about. The problem Sayre has every year is that they’re in a district with Bryan Station, Henry Clay and Scott County. Hard to get to the regional tournament knowing you have to upset one of those 3 juggernauts.

 

X-Factor: The Junior class. The Spartans had 9 sophomores on the varsity roster last season and most of them saw the floor quite a bit. Can that 2017 class lead Sayre back to the regional tournament? Time will tell.

 

14. Franklin County (8-22, lost in region first round) - Coach Tony Wise surprised many in the 11th last year when he led his team to a district title after only 6 regular season wins. Senior DeMarcus Kennedy will be expected to lead a group that will try to peak in February again and return to the regional tournament.

 

X-Factor: Diablo Stewart. Stewart played in 29 of 30 games last year as an 8th grader, averaging 6.2 PPG. If he can continue to develop, he may be one of the best (and most entertaining) players to watch in the 11th over the next 4 years.

 

15. Model (13-16, lost in region quarterfinals) - Senior Ephraim Otenio brings his nearly 19 PPG average back. He will be complimented by Alex Chen (15 PPG and 11 RPG last year). Depending on how the district shakes out, Model could find their way back to the regional tourney.

 

X-Factor: District draw. If Model draws Berea again this year, they should be headed to the regional tournament. If they draw either Madison Central or Southern, they could be in trouble. They lost to both teams by 30+ last season.

 

16. Western Hills (8-21, lost in district semi-finals) - Western Hills only won 8 games a year ago, but they were only 2 points away from making the region after giving Woodford County a good scare. Hills should have one of the more veteran groups and will likely start 5 seniors. Can they translate experience into wins?

 

X-Factor: Dylan Jones. The senior is a prolific scorer and hit a school record 10 3s in a game last year. Will he be able to put the team on his back in crunch time and make the winning plays Western Hills traditionally hasn’t made over the years?

 

17. Berea (11-15, lost in district semi-finals) - The Pirates return 6 seniors, including all 5 starters. Experience mixed with a favorable schedule has Berea set up to record double digit wins again in 2015-16.

 

X-Factor: District draw. If Berea draws Model, they have a chance to make the regional. They lost to Madison Central and Southern by a combined 67 points last season. If they meet up with either Madison county school, I don’t like their chances.

 

 

11th Region Top 10 Players

1. DeAndre Dishman (Bryan Station) – The only 11th region player currently holding a committable D1 offer (from Chicago State), Dishman plays like a smaller Kenneth Faried. A 6’6 wing/post with a high motor, DeAndre really impressed this summer on the AAU circuit. If he can consistently score from 15 feet and out, he will be almost unguardable in the 11th this year.

 

2. Isaiah Tisdale (Henry Clay) – It seems like he has been at Clay since the Clinton administration but Tisdale is poised for a great final season as a Blue Devil. Coming off an outstanding spring and summer on the AAU circuit, Isaiah is long and athletic and shows himself to be a good floor general for the senior laden Henry Clay team. If they get to Rupp, it will be due in large part to Tisdale.

 

3. Taveion Hollingsworth (Dunbar) – One of the best scorers in Kentucky in the 2017 class, Taveion is primed for an even better season than his breakout effort a year ago. You won’t ever see him go left and he doesn’t shoot well consistently from 3, but the kid makes winning plays and can put the ball in the hole.

 

4. Luke Johnson (Lexington Catholic) – If you haven’t seen him, you need to make your way to a Lex Cath game this winter. Luke doesn’t shoot it as well as his older brother, but he does almost everything else better. At KBA this summer, he was unguardable, putting up 35+ in 4 consecutive games (and making it look easy). You may not put much stock in summer games, but Luke was the breakout star at KBA State in June. He already put up 47 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in a scrimmage at PRP in recent weeks.

 

5. Ross Jenkins (Lafayette) – A true post player, Jenkins will be a tough draw for whoever is expected to guard him. Ross can score over both shoulders in the post, can step out and hit jumpers from the elbows and beyond and is hard to box out. The 11th is lacking in post players this year and Jenkins figures to take full advantage.

 

6. Darius Williams (Dunbar) – There is no doubt that Williams can score from almost any spot on the floor. However, Dunbar was at their best last year when he was facilitating and creating offense for others as opposed to hunting his own shot. If he can improve his defense and leadership, he could be the best player in the region by mid February, when the games really matter.

 

7. Andre Davis (Bryan Station) – A great two-sport athlete, Andre is a big time scorer on the court. He can shoot with range but is at his best when in attack mode. If Bryan Station represents the 11th at Rupp, Davis will be a major reason why.

 

8. Tre King (LCA) – With his size and skill, King is arguably the best college prospect in the 11th. However, he has yet to show he can put it all together consistently. Coach Valentine will push him to be his best, but Tre has to go out on the floor and prove he should be better than 8th in the region.

 

9. Kyle Rode (LCA) – Started all last season as an 8th grader on an otherwise veteran LCA team and likely is the go-to scorer for the Eagles this year. At 6’7 with guard skills and a post player’s build, Kyle can be a nightmare for opposing coaches to scheme for.

 

10. A. Anthony Robinson (Frankfort) – D1 football signee who uses his big frame and physicality on the basketball court, Robinson is possibly the best rebounder in the region. He’s nearly automatic from 8 feet and in but can also step out and shoot the jumper.

 

10. B. Harrison Lane (Lafayette) – You can’t make a list of top 11th region players without including Harrison Lane. Another kid who seems to have been in high school since disco was popular; the veteran sharpshooter can be counted on in the clutch. His sky high basketball IQ helps make up for being undersized.

Great season ahead. I'm curious about Rhodes from LCA though. The kid didn't look like an 8th grader this summer. Don't mean to start anything but is he really 15 yrs old

Great season ahead. I'm curious about Rhodes from LCA though. The kid didn't look like an 8th grader this summer. Don't mean to start anything but is he really 15 yrs old

 

He will turn 16 soon I think. He repeated the 7th grade.

My only comment is Henry Clay is way to low.

Lafayette is more than advertised. Ross is their Beast down low but they have a Bevy of guards. Lead by Senior pg Jaelin Jenkins Senior SG T.J. Downey and SG Harrison Lane. You all need to keep an eye on these kids

Lafayette is more than advertised. Ross is their Beast down low but they have a Bevy of guards. Lead by Senior pg Jaelin Jenkins Senior SG T.J. Downey and SG Harrison Lane. You all need to keep an eye on these kids

 

Weather permitting they'll be at Boyle in late February. I hope to see them for sure then if not sooner.

Darius Williams is a top 3-5 player in the state. You have him 6th in the region. I don't understand?

Darius Williams is a top 3-5 player in the state. You have him 6th in the region. I don't understand?

 

I wrote it and I consulted with many 11th region people before writing and after a first draft. The consensus opinion was that he does as much to hurt his team as he does to help it. As someone told who has watched him for years told me, Darius will go 0-20 from 3 and keep shooting instead of attacking the rim or creating for teammates. Add in the fact that he rarely tries to guard and you have the qualifications for a 6th best player in the region.

 

If he were top 3-5 in the state he would have at least one committable college offer at this point. Samford offered a year and a half ago but that offer is probably no longer valid (by his own admission in an article with Donald Yaste recently) and one in state college coach told me that he would not recruit Darius because he's "too selfish".

 

In 2 years as a major varsity contributor at Dunbar, they are a combined 26-32.

 

It is not my intention to bash a high school kid by saying all this. I'm just trying to help you understand the thought process.

I wrote it and I consulted with many 11th region people before writing and after a first draft. The consensus opinion was that he does as much to hurt his team as he does to help it. As someone told who has watched him for years told me, Darius will go 0-20 from 3 and keep shooting instead of attacking the rim or creating for teammates. Add in the fact that he rarely tries to guard and you have the qualifications for a 6th best player in the region.

 

If he were top 3-5 in the state he would have at least one committable college offer at this point. Samford offered a year and a half ago but that offer is probably no longer valid (by his own admission in an article with Donald Yaste recently) and one in state college coach told me that he would not recruit Darius because he's "too selfish".

 

In 2 years as a major varsity contributor at Dunbar, they are a combined 26-32.

 

It is not my intention to bash a high school kid by saying all this. I'm just trying to help you understand the thought process.

 

Interesting.

Interesting.

 

You're the biggest Dunbar person on here. I'm interested to hear your opinions other than that Clay is too low.

 

I almost put Clay #1 but couldn't after their 2 losses (each) to Dunbar and Station last year.

I wrote it and I consulted with many 11th region people before writing and after a first draft. The consensus opinion was that he does as much to hurt his team as he does to help it. As someone told who has watched him for years told me, Darius will go 0-20 from 3 and keep shooting instead of attacking the rim or creating for teammates. Add in the fact that he rarely tries to guard and you have the qualifications for a 6th best player in the region.

 

If he were top 3-5 in the state he would have at least one committable college offer at this point. Samford offered a year and a half ago but that offer is probably no longer valid (by his own admission in an article with Donald Yaste recently) and one in state college coach told me that he would not recruit Darius because he's "too selfish".

 

In 2 years as a major varsity contributor at Dunbar, they are a combined 26-32.

 

It is not my intention to bash a high school kid by saying all this. I'm just trying to help you understand the thought process.

 

Thanks for the response.

 

Maybe I just picked the right games, but the few times I've seen him, he's been the best facilitating guard I've seen in a while. Adding that to the fact he can be a very explosive scorer makes him an outstanding offensive player.

I can't speak much to his defense, but he did show the ability to be disruptive to the opponents guards.

 

I will argue that I don't think college offers are the best way to gauge high school ability. Too much emphasis is put on size and potential, which aren't what make someone a great high school player.

Thanks for the response.

 

Maybe I just picked the right games, but the few times I've seen him, he's been the best facilitating guard I've seen in a while. Adding that to the fact he can be a very explosive scorer makes him an outstanding offensive player.

I can't speak much to his defense, but he did show the ability to be disruptive to the opponents guards.

 

I will argue that I don't think college offers are the best way to gauge high school ability. Too much emphasis is put on size and potential, which aren't what make someone a great high school player.

 

I'm of the opinion that Dunbar only goes to Rupp if Jordan Lewis is the primary ballhandler while Hollingsworth and Williams score off the wings. If Dontell Brown can give them anything in the post, that's a bonus.

You're the biggest Dunbar person on here. I'm interested to hear your opinions other than that Clay is too low.

 

I almost put Clay #1 but couldn't after their 2 losses (each) to Dunbar and Station last year.

 

I can see why some coaches and people around the region would say the comments or have the opinions you shared. Having said that I don't think there is a coach in the region that wouldn't take him and put him in their starting lineup tomorrow if they could.

 

As far as college offers go, a lot more goes into it then just playing ability as we all know. Some places may not be a good fit for him or maybe he has other plans for his career like a JUCO or a prep school. Its real easy to say negative things about a kid or a player as an opposing coach or fan when you don't see what he has going on day in and day out. I know Darius works hard and more then anything wants his team and himself to be successful.

 

As for the rankings they look fine to me other then I think Henry Clay needs to be in the top 2. All that is subject to change as the season goes on and the games start. I have a feeling Dunbar, Henry Clay, Lafayette, Bryan Station, and the rest of the top teams in this region will lose plenty of games this season just based on the fact that they all play such a tough schedule. Dunbar and Bryan Station's schedule is ridiculous. I think 4-5 teams in this region could win the state tournament but only one will make it. Should be a fun season.

I can see why some coaches and people around the region would say the comments or have the opinions you shared. Having said that I don't think there is a coach in the region that wouldn't take him and put him in their starting lineup tomorrow if they could.

 

As far as college offers go, a lot more goes into it then just playing ability as we all know. Some places may not be a good fit for him or maybe he has other plans for his career like a JUCO or a prep school. Its real easy to say negative things about a kid or a player as an opposing coach or fan when you don't see what he has going on day in and day out. I know Darius works hard and more then anything wants his team and himself to be successful.

 

As for the rankings they look fine to me other then I think Henry Clay needs to be in the top 2. All that is subject to change as the season goes on and the games start. I have a feeling Dunbar, Henry Clay, Lafayette, Bryan Station, and the rest of the top teams in this region will lose plenty of games this season just based on the fact that they all play such a tough schedule. Dunbar and Bryan Station's schedule is ridiculous. I think 4-5 teams in this region could win the state tournament but only one will make it. Should be a fun season.

 

Wholeheartedly agree. Going to be a great year for sure.

When is the last time the FCPS schools have been this good as a whole?

This will be a fun year to watch basketball in Lexington.