The 2016/17 season should be a fun one in the 3rd Region. There is a lot of competitive balance through the top teams, making for a wide open season. Here is how I have the top teams and players ranked to start the season...

1.Muhlenberg County (16-14) – The Mustangs finished the 2016 season as one of the hottest teams in the 3rd region. Led by all region guard Noah McElwain(17ppg) and state championship winning coach Kerry Stovall, the Mustangs are primed to be a contender to reach Rupp this season. Muhlenberg has the deepest roster in the region, returning several key contributors from last season(Will Noffsinger, Austin Saling, Mike Walker, Ty Vincent & Dondre Mitchell). Post player, Jordan Terry, who left the school last year, is also listed to return on the current preseason roster. Terry would instantly be a top 10 player in the region if he is able to make it back this season, giving the Stangs all the tools needed for a 3rd region title.

 

2.Meade County(22-11) – Meade County’s 2016 season ended in disappointment, as the Waves came up 1 game short of Rupp Arena. Meade will have a hard time replacing do it all forward, Josh Durbin, but do return one of the best players in the region in big man, James Baker. Baker enters this season as the premier post man in the 3rd region. He will have help on the outside, as sharpshooter Calvin Hackert also comes back for his senior season. Coach Jason Tripture will have the Waves in the mix once again this season.

 

3.Owensboro Catholic(22-10) – Coach Tim Riley led the Aces to their first ever 3rd region championship last season. While Catholic graduated leaders in Cam Obryan, Ray Zuerber and Luke Payne, they will return a very solid junior class. Led by Luke Hayden(16ppg) and returning point guard Max Reid, the Aces will be a tough out, come tournament time.

 

4.Apollo(9-18) – Apollo finished its up and down season with a 1st round district upset of regional favorite Daviess County. The Eagles return a nice core of players, including leading scorer Zach Hopewell(17ppg). Hayden Shelton left the program for prep school, but juniors Alex Gray and Nathan Boyle(10ppg each) will return.

 

5.OHS(9-14) - Just a year removed from a state title, the young Devils struggled a bit in 2016. Star PG Jacoby Harris(14ppg) battled injuries throughout the season, but returns healthy for his senior season. While coach Drake struggled to find consistency in his young group, he did play a lot of guys in key spots last season. OHS is hoping that experience pays off this year. Top scorers Ishawn Murphy and Cory Gardner(12ppg each) return. A name to watch is big Sophomore Brennan Williams. His size and ability, should make him a break out candidate this season.

 

6.Ohio County(12-17) – the head coaching shuffle continues in Ohio County as Steve Sparks is out but Tony Hopper is in. Coach Hopper returns to the 3rd region after just one year at South Warren. Aside from top scorer Travis Carter, the Eagles return nearly every contributor from last year’s squad. Conner Wilson(13ppg), Ross Tichnor(11ppg) & Jay Newcomb are some valuable tools for coach Hopper to work with.

 

7.Butler County(12-15) – Coach Dockery’s Bears return 3 starters who all averaged double figures in the scoring department. Rex Henderson(17ppg) & Baylee Anderson(15ppg) make up the highest scoring duo, returning in the 3rd region. The Bears should be favorites in the 12th district.

 

8.Daviess County(21-7) – After being upset in the 1st round of the 9th district tournament, the Panthers were hit hard by graduation. Gone are the two top scorers from last year’s team, Stewart Currie and Andrew Hayden. Even with the departures, the cupboard isn’t completely bare for coach Neil Hayden. Tyler Boling, Hassan Green, Caden Coomes, Nick Driskell & Jay Owen all return in 2017. DC will just have to find who they can turn to to lead the ship this season.

 

9.Grayson County(11-17) – Coach Kelly Carwile has done a great job in getting the most out of his talent since taking over as Grayson County head coach a few years ago. The Cougars will have to overcome the loss of some size, but they have some solid scoring coming back. Trey Goff(14ppg) emerged as one of the region’s most dangerous scorers in the 2nd half of last season. His running mate, guard Bailey Logsdon(11ppg), also returns for the Cougars.

 

10.Hancock County(16-12)– The Hornets fell in the first round of district last season, but still mustered a winning season. Coach Lynam will need to find replacements for his top scoring guards in Ty Ogle and Garrett Pate, but he returns a very solid front court in forward Brennan Lewis & post man Kane Logsdon(11ppg each).

 

11.Edmonson County(17-10) – The forgotten team in the 3rd region, Edmonson County, returns 2 of its 4 double digit scorers from last season. Bailey Board(13ppg) & Caleb Skaggs(12ppg) return to lead the Wildcats. Underrated coach Michael Miclintic looks to have Edmonson in the mix in a very competitive 12th district.

 

12.McLean County(8-17) – The Cougars had a lot of hype coming into last season, but never found their footing. Hot handed Will Hudson and big men Jake Logsdon and Harrison Taylor all graduated the program. Coach Greg Stevens will hand the reigns over to top scoring point guard Sam Miller(17ppg). Miller is one of the most electric players in the region. If the Cougars can find some role players to help Miller, they could surprise this season.

 

13.Breckinridge County(21-9) - There wasn’t a team in the region that was hit harder by graduation as the fighting Tigers. The top 6 scorers graduated last year. Coach Critchelow will look to start fresh with super sophomore Kobe Poole.

 

14.Whitesville Trinity(14-16) – The Raiders were also hit hard by graduation , losing their top 4 scorers from last season. Coach Kirkpatrick left the program and Nathan West has stepped in. West will look to returning guard Eric Howard to keep the momentum alive in Whitesville. The community will close their historic arena, “The Barn” at the end of the season.

 

15.Cloverport(7-21) – The Aces return their top two scorers from a very young squad a year ago. Max Dubree(12ppg) & Steven Jennings(10ppg) are the top returning contributors for coach Legrange’s group.

 

PLAYERS - Honorable Mention

Brennan Lewis & Kane Logsdon – Hancock County – The Hancock County front court is one of the better front court duo’s in the region. Both guys are coming off a year averaging 11ppg but they will look to take an even bigger role this season after losing Ty Ogle and Garrett Pate.

Will Noffsinger – Muhlenberg County – Noffsinger is coming off a year averaging double digit scoring. He is a sharpshooter from beyond the arc. Terry and a more experienced Vincent in the paint, should help increase those totals this season.

 

Rex Henderson – Butler County – Rex led the Bears in scoring last season at 17ppg. His athletic ability on the football field translates well to playing down on the block. He will be a threat to score 20 plus every night.

 

Ishawn Murphy – Owensboro – Murphy came into last season with very high expectations but little varsity experience. While it took him a little while to get going, Murphy started to emerge in the later half of the season, finishing with a 12ppg average.

 

Alex Gray – Apollo – Gray came out of nowhere last year and emerged as one of the grittiest players in the region. He averaged a double double with 10ppg and 10rpg. With another year under his belt, he should only get better.

 

10.Baylee Anderson – Butler County – Anderson and Henderson were the highest returning scoring duo. Anderson averaged 15ppg a year ago and the Bears return their core players.

 

9.Trey Goff – Grayson County – Goff has deadly range from the outside and had an especially impressive 2nd half last season. He averaged 14ppg last season.

8.Calvin Hackert – Meade County – Hackert is one of the best three point shooters in the region. With Josh Durbin gone to graduation, the Waves will look to Hackert to score even more this year.

 

7.Conner Wilson – Ohio County – Wilson is back with the Eagles and looking to end his career on a positive note. He can beat you off the dribble or drain the 3. He is the top returning scorer for coach Hoppers team.

 

6.Sam Miller – McLean – Miller became one of the biggest scoring threats in the region last year. Averaging 17ppg a year ago, no one got the rim better than Miller. As a point guard, not only does he score, but he makes his teammates better as well.

 

5.Luke Hayden – Owensboro Catholic – Hayden was one of the driving forces that led the Aces to their 1st 3rd region title last season. Averaging 16ppg, Hayden was a threat in the paint and off the dribble. He will be one of the best returning front court players in the region.

 

4.Zach Hopewell – Apollo – Hopewell is coming off a strong junior year for Apollo. He averaged 17ppg and is one of the top slashers in the region. Coach Barker will be looking for Hopewell to lead the Eagles on the court this season.

 

3. Jacoby Harris – OHS – Just a year removed from running the point for a state championship OHS team, Jacoby got lost in the shuffle a bit last season. A new role, combined with some nagging injuries slowed him down a bit. Healthy again, Jacoby should be among the best players in the region this season.

 

2.Noah McElwain – Muhlenberg County – Mcelwain is the best pure shooter in the region. His style fits what coach Stovall does best, run and gun. His 17ppg average was among tops in the region. Down the stretch he was a threat to score from anywhere on the floor. Expect much of the same this season.

 

1.James Baker – Meade County – Baker is probably the best athlete in the region. He can play from the outside or down low on the post. He had a role playing beside Josh Durbin last year, but the Waves are his team now. Look for his numbers to increase this season.

This may be the least amount of talent in the 3rd region in 20 years. Even the best player is a Doss transplant. There aren't any Holmans, Millers or Wrights walking through that door.

I noticed Calvin Hackert was not on the Meade County season roster on KHSAA. Im not quite as tuned in to Meade, as they are pretty far from the Owensboro area. The loss of Hackert would change the top 10 a little bit.

I noticed Calvin Hackert was not on the Meade County season roster on KHSAA. Im not quite as tuned in to Meade, as they are pretty far from the Owensboro area. The loss of Hackert would change the top 10 a little bit.

 

I'm almost sure he has moved. This absolutely makes Meade a much different team