2017-18 was another banner season for the 4th Region. Warren Central represented the region with a state semifinal finish, which followed Bowling Green’s state title the season before. Owing mostly to Bowling Green’s four year run, the region has now placed a team in the state semifinals four out of the last five seasons. Eleven of the region’s seventeen teams had a winning record a season ago, though only three finished with more than twenty wins. As usual, the 14th District representatives will be favored in region play, and will look to add to their 17 year run as placing the region champion.

 

Preseason 4th Region Rankings

 

1. Warren Central – Very little went wrong for the Dragons last season. Their 31 wins en route to a final four finish are the most in a single season by any team in the history of the program. They had their longest winning streak in three years and dropped only a single home game. While they threw off the shackles of an eight game losing streak to Bowling Green, they did merely achieve a season split with their rivals, and lost the district title via a crushing comeback. The most familiar faces off of that team are gone now, including their top three scorers Skyelar Potter, Jordan Cousin, and Micale Mee. Originally, it looked like this might be a year for the Dragons to re-gather. But even without the senior departures, this team would be hard to recognize thanks to an influx of transfers. Starting with what is familiar, senior guard Tayshaun Bibb is the leading returning scorer with a 6.8 PPG average, and should have a place in the starting lineup alongside senior guard Jamale Barber (4.2 PPG). Bibb is physically strong, allowing him to outplay his height as he likes to play around the rim more. Barber spent most of last season as a distributing guard, but picked up his perimeter shooting late, most crucially hitting five in a 68-63 victory over Glasgow in the region quarters. Junior guard Tegra Muleka flashed at times last season, and should be one of the first off the bench, as will senior guard Tre Pillow. That’s pretty much it for returning experience from last year’s Dragons. Their season changed when on the same day it was announced that Dre Boyd and Kobe Brents – both junior guards – had transferred in. Very strong and athletic, Boyd averaged 11.1 PPG playing alongside superstar Zion Harmon at Adair County last season, and had been in the Bowling Green system before. Brents comes from Glasgow, and is not a cinch to be eligible to play this season, having been initially ruled ineligible after transferring following his mother taking a job in the Warren County school system. He averaged 14.4 PPG last season, leading the Scotties in scoring as a sophomore. His presence is likely crucial to Central’s status as favorites. Junior guard Geovonni Floyd has moved over from Greenwood, while Antonio Barbee and Tre Wright moved over from Bowling Green. Given the way the program has attracted players after a season ago, it can be argued that Central’s title in 2018 is possibly the most significant in the history of the program aside from their 2004 state title. Their fortunes have changed in the blink of an eye. They’ll remain guard heavy as they were last season, but they consistently play more physical given their offseason emphasis. It will be interesting to see how the entire team gels, but Coach Unseld expects that ultimately this will be his deepest team in his eight seasons at Central.

 

2. Bowling Green – The Purples acquitted themselves very well after losing so many big names from their state title game. While the team did not win more than five games in a row all year, they topped 20 wins for the tenth time in the last eleven years, scored 68.5 PPG, and still earned a split with Warren Central on the season. If not for a miracle 3/4 court three pointer by Jordan Cousin to steal the momentum at the end of the third quarter of their region final, the Purples may well have taken down a fifth straight region title. And they are poised to make yet another run this year. They lose their top two scorers in Jarius Key (18.6 PPG) and Ziyon Kenner (10.7 PPG), and four of their starting five. Senior Trevor Dennis is the lone returning starter, averaging 9.2 PPG a season ago, and hitting almost exactly as many shots from outside the arc (43) as in it (45). Dennis is a shooter who is not afraid to attempt difficult shots, and when he gets rolling, he can be very difficult to stop. He hit just over 37% of his attempts from three a season ago. Sophomore Isaiah Mason is the most exciting player on the team. After seeing time late in the year for Greenwood as an eighth grader in 2017, he came off the bench to spark the Purples last season. He was never more impressive than he was in the district finals, dropping 22 points on 8/10 shooting, with 5/6 coming from three. The sky is the limit for Mason, already one of the top players in the region entering his sophomore year. Second year coach Derrick Clubb noted that Mason and senior Kolbe Gray have been instrumental in leading the team since last spring. Both have been living in the gym and weight room and are vocal about encouraging the rest of the team to do so as well. Both demonstrate great leadership and commitment. Senior Jaylen Wardlow (4.3 PPG) returns in his defensive stopper role, while senior Davion Dice (6.8 PPG) will be counted on to continue showing athleticism in getting to the rim and he also possesses an above average nose for the ball in offensive and defensive rebounding. The Purples remain deep as ever, and the future remains bright as ever, with sophomores Jaxson Banks, Conner Cooper, Jordan Dingle, and Jacobi Huddleston all dressing last season as freshmen and playing varsity this summer. Coach Clubb is never afraid to wear you down with an onslaught of bodies as they run full court press to force turnovers and create opportunities for easy baskets. One weakness the Purples may have is that they don’t have as dominant a presence down low as they have grown accustomed to. Bowling Green has still made the region finals of every region tournament they’ve made since 2004, so their goal is always to be playing their best basketball entering the district tournament to get to their home away from home, Diddle Arena. They are a very close #2 to Warren Central, and it would not be surprising if they played their way into favorite status, as they ultimately did a season ago entering the region tourney.

 

3. Glasgow – The Scotties went 22-9 a season ago, and posted their most wins in all but one season in the last sixteen years. They won their first district title in seven years and gave Warren Central their toughest game of the region tournament despite losing dynamic Dalvin Smith during the third quarter to a broken ankle. There was a bit of deflation down the stretch as they started with a 16-3 record, but it was still a great success for a program that is still seeking to take that next step into region contender – it’s been 18 years since they made a region final. Initially, this season appeared ripe for them to do just that. Dalvin Smith (11.3 PPG) and Peyton Mills (8.6 PPG) graduated, but they were due to return three of their four leading scorers come back. Then came Kobe Brents transferring out, taking his 14.4 PPG average with him. Kris Horn returned to Central as well, leaving just two seniors returning from last year’s roster. All of that lowered the ceiling somewhat, but there is still a whole lot to be excited about in Glasgow. Junior guard Nick Sorrell is the leading returning scorer, averaging 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game a season ago. Fellow junior Jaden Franklin brings the height at 6’6”, and led the team in double-doubles last year, nearly averaging one with 11 points and 9 rebounds per night. Despite being juniors, Coach Willett notes that Sorrell and Franklin have been the leaders of the team for a long time, and that’s a huge luxury to have as they will continue to grow in that role this season and next. Tayshaun Bradley ascends to the starting lineup in his senior year after serving as sixth man a season ago, counted on as a defensive specialist for the squad. His defensive plays create opportunities for transition buckets and allows the team to feed off that energy. Willett described him as explosively athletic. The Scotties will have the height advantage on most teams they play, with Bowen Haney (6’5” junior) and Robert Kingery (6’6” Jr) as names to watch. Coach Willett loves their versatility and ability to play either the 4 or 5 positions to create matchup advantages. Tucker Kirkpatrick transfers in from Monroe County to salve the loss of Kobe Brents. The son of former Monroe County coach Steve Kirkpatrick, he is a deadly sharpshooter, hitting 52/110 (47.3%) from three a season ago. Put simply, Glasgow returns double digit scoring, height, and possesses perimeter shooting. They are athletic and stretch the floor. Coach Willett is confident in the depth of the team. While his focus is on general goals like work ethic, reducing turnovers, and improving shot selection, this is a team that seems poised for a run. If anyone is going to break up the 14th District party, this is a team that is designed to do it.

 

4. Clinton County – There is probably no team I can recall as obscenely unlucky in their region tournament draw as Clinton County is. The Bulldogs have found their way into the path of a 14th District opponent in the opening round four of the last five years. The fifth year out of those five they met Barren County, whose 26 wins were second highest in the region. So it probably felt like Groundhog Day when they drew Bowling Green a year ago, pitting them against a team that as previously noted has made the region final every time they’ve made the tournament since 2004. That robbed them of a deep postseason run, but they’ll reload and take another shot with a veteran group that graduated just three from a season ago. Only Ely Baker (2.5 PPG) departs from the starting lineup, and Clinton County returns two of the most prolific scorers in the region to lead their squad. You have to start with senior guard Jackson Harlan. At 6’5”, he’s a very tall guard, and averaged 4.1 rebounds to go along with his 26.4 PPG, which was #7 in the entire state a season ago. Harlan cleared his recruiting table by committing to Western Kentucky over the summer, and will be tapped as the preseason player of the year in the region by just about anyone who is paying attention. His primary compliment is Seth Stockton. The senior forward averaged a double-double with 14.5 PPG and 12.2 rebounds a season ago. He led the state in rebounds and was one of only three players in the region to average a double-double. Harlan and Stockton are a dynamic duo that no other team in the region can equal, though Coach Messer noted that the team’s success will hinge on the ability of other players to make open shots to stop defenses from selling out on those two. Senior Noah Pruitt (3.1 PPG and 4 RPG) returns in the starting lineup, as does sophomore guard Chase Stines, who will be key to Coach Messer’s hopes to draw coverage away from his top two men. Stines averaged 6.2 PPG as a freshman a year ago, and looks to be the latest great find for the Bulldogs. Nick Brown is a candidate to move into the starting rotation after serving as the sixth man a year ago, and Coach Messer is pleased with his size and depth at the forward position. Depth is always a challenge for teams looking to match up with the likes of Bowling Green, so that’s a good sign for the potential ceiling for the team. They’re the favorite for the 16th district, the All A Regional, and a dark horse for the region title.

 

5. Greenwood – The Gators owe their presence in this spot to losing a little less than the immediate teams below them. Prior to last season they were gutted by losing ten seniors – this time they lose only five, and really only two major contributors. Luke Littrell departs with 15.6 PPG in tow, and they’ll miss Noah Nash’s presence as well, more for ballhandling. Upside bench player Geovonni Floyd also departs due to transfer. Still, Jack Roberts is back for what feels like his eighth year as a Gator, fresh off of leading the team with 17.5 PPG. The hero of the 2017 14th District tournament, Roberts is a fearless shooter, hitting nearly 40% of his three point attempts despite attempting a very high 183 a season ago. Big man Ben Carroll can pull from outside as well, posing a big matchup problem for opponents. He is strong on the defensive end, especially on the glass. His 14.4 PPG were third on the team last season, and he’ll likely need to shoulder more of the load. After that strong 1-2 punch, it gets a bit dicey. The Stansbury boys are back, Isaac (senior) and Noah (sophomore). Noah figures to be the bigger contributor, but I’m a big proponent of coach’s kids, and their dad is a pretty prominent one you may have heard of before. Coach’s kids tend to have a great mind for the game, and they also have a pretty good one as their HC at Greenwood in Bob Pels. Greenwood doesn’t go very deep, and they will most definitely struggle on nights that Roberts and/or Carroll don’t have it offensively. The Gators are not a team that should be seeking to get out and run, focusing on strong halfcourt sets on both sides of the court. They play Bowling Green just 11 days into the season, which should give us a quick read on how big a gap they’re facing.

 

6. Logan County – The Cougars are one of four teams in the region that have new head coaches entering this season, although their hire is one very familiar to the region. John Tinsley helms Logan County, with his last coaching stint coming to an end at Russell County two years ago. Tinsley is the first coach to helm four different 4th Region schools in his career since Gerald Sinclair, who coached at three pre-consolidation Logan County schools in addition Logan County itself. Tinsley had previously coached Barren County and Glasgow in the region, in addition to Hancock County before that, carrying a 302-220 career record. He inherits a Logan County team that stubbed their toe at the end of the year last season, falling in the district tournament despite having the #1 seed. They played Franklin-Simpson four times last season, and lost three of them. They were the only district games Franklin won. Missed opportunities are bitter, but it should fuel the team. Leading scorer Austin Rayno departs, but Kelby Epley (12.8 PPG) and Tommy Krohn (10.4 PPG) return, two players Coach Tinsley believes will emerge as the team leaders. The team also received a massive boost in the transfer of Anthony “Rooster” Woodard, who was #2 on Russellville in scoring last season with 15.9 PPG. Woodard will be just a sophomore, with sky-high potential and athleticism. That trio makes Logan County the favorites to claim the top seed in the district again. Coach Tinsley also expects senior Third Bell and junior Dalton Thompson to build on reserve roles from a season ago. The stated goal for the team is to compete every day and be in a position to win every night. They’ll definitely be looking for their third region tournament appearance since 1998, and their first win in the tournament since that same season.

 

7. Warren East – For the Raiders it was another year trapped in a nightmare district. East still has the third most region titles for 4th Region teams despite not reaching the region tournament since 1997. That is almost entirely the fault of Bowling Green and Warren Central, and until they can solve those – and few can – it will be tough for them to climb higher. Still, they have good momentum as the Raiders posted their first winning record in four years and they are now entering Year 5 under Coach Brandon Combs, providing stability that was sorely needed for the program. They lose three starters from last year, none more crucial than leading scorer Tashawn Neal who set a single season record for made threes at Warren East. Adante Barber is the leading returning scorer after averaging 7.9 PPG a season ago, and Coach Combs has been impressed with his offseason efforts to change his body. He will be looked to as the primary option in scoring this season. Bryson Wallace (2.4 PPG) also returns for his senior season and will be looked to as a team leader. Combs desires to run an uptempo system, and expects players like Sam Wheeler and Thomas Maxey to be key cogs in that system. Wheeler will be expected to handle the ball to drive the speed and anyone who has seen Thomas Maxey on the football field knows exactly how deadly he can be in the open floor. It’ll likely take until January for Maxey to go full throttle. Coach Combs singled out the efforts of Dawson Doyle, who shoots 500 shots daily before school. He’ll be needed to replace Neal’s outside shooting. Also of note is Seth Blaine, a post player that should give “true” centers matchup issues with his mobility and passing abilities. East has carried a post-Christmas stigma in some recent years, which Coach Combs feels they put to rest a season ago. The Raiders’ stated goal is to be playing their best basketball in that post-Christmas period to put themselves in the position to have a shot at the region tournament. An appearance there would certainly leave a legacy.

 

8. Barren County – The Trojans picked a really bad time to have a 13 game winning streak against Glasgow snapped. That time was their district semifinal matchup with the Scotties at Glasgow, where they fell 69-68 in a triple overtime thriller. The loss ended their run of six consecutive region tournament appearances and the career of five seniors, including Jared Coomer. Coomer led the team with 16.9 PPG, and in all five of the top six scorers were lost to graduation. Only Will Bandy returns, averaging 11.6 PPG. Just a junior, he will likely be the team leader nonetheless as the Trojans have a very small senior class. Bandy was also the team’s second leading rebounder (behind Coomer), averaging 5.8 per game. Sophomore Gavin Withrow is a name to watch for when he returns from the gridiron. The Trojans played five district games decided by single digits a season ago, and really only failed to solve Monroe County, who won a tight OT game in December but blew their doors off in January. With Monroe hit hard by graduation, the Trojans will likely need only regain their edge on Glasgow to seize the district.

 

9. Todd County Central – The Rebels returned to the region tournament for the first time in 15 years last season, and won a game to boot. They also posted a 17 year high for wins. It was another year of improvement for Coach Frank Johnson’s squad, who is entering his third year at the helm. They lose top scorer Nolan Barrow who had just over 17 PPG, but do return John Calvery, who averaged 13.2 PPG. Calvery is a pure post and a load to handle at 225 lbs. He hit nearly 56% of his attempts from the field a season ago, and the Rebels would do well to feed him. With Franklin-Simpson and Russellville still rebuilding, the Rebels may well have a strong chance of a repeat trip to the region tourney. Austin Rager (5.1 PPG) and Clayte Weathers (5.0 PPG) will be counted on to draw some attention to keep the lane open for Calvery. Rager hit 41% of his three point attempts a season ago.

 

10. Monroe County – There’s a lot of changed faces from last year’s Falcon team that stumbled to a 2-6 finish down the stretch, stopping them just short of 20 wins and seeing them exit in the quarterfinals of the region tournament. Eight seniors, head coach Steve Kirkpatrick, and his son Tucker Kirkpatrick all exited stage left. Gone is Billy Michael Dyer, who capped his sterling career with 17.9 PPG in his senior season. Coach Gary DeWitt takes over in his first head coaching job since 2007, and first time coaching boys. He previously coached eight seasons in two stints with the Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots, going to the state tournament three straight years from 1999-2001 – still the only girls’ basketball program to do so. Crucially, Chandler Clements does return to lead the Falcons on the floor. He averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds a season ago. At 6’6” and willing and able to shoot from anywhere, he’s very difficult to guard. Jamison Geralds is the only other senior on the team, a versatile shooter and ball handler. Grayson Rich will run the point. Coach Dewitt noted that the team goal is to be competitive in all games and play hard for 32 minutes. He is counting on a large sophomore class to give quality minutes for depth. Jhordi Brooks will be asked to use his quickness to guard the best perimeter player, while Wade Thompson will be looked to for interior defense and rebounding. Monroe County allowed only 56 PPG last season, and they’ll likely need to match that effort for a shot to return to the region tournament.

 

11. South Warren – Boys’ basketball has been one of the few sports that the Spartans have not seen rousing success in so far. They are now on their fifth coach in just the ninth year for the program, and each will have coached a single season out of the last six. They’ve tapped Blane Embry, most recently coach of the Lady Spartans basketball program. Embry is widely recognized as one of the preeminent coaches in the area, and he remains the last coach to guide a team other than Bowling Green or Warren Central to the boys region title, doing so with Greenwood in 2008. While he loses six seniors off of last season’s 15-14 squad, he does retain the services of Tyler Martin. Martin, a senior guard, averaged 20.2 PPG last season, shooting 39.3% from three and 45.7% from the floor. Embry’s style at Greenwood had a heavy, heavy focus on controlling the pace and keeping scoring down. That’ll fit right in with the typical South Warren philosophy.

 

12. Russellville – The most significant loss for the Panthers didn’t come from graduation, but the transfer of Anthony Woodard’s 15.9 PPG, though Jacolbie Mason’s defensive presence will also be sorely missed. Jacob Naylor returns after climbing over 1,000 career points last season, averaging 17.0 PPG. He’ll lead the team alongside Elijah Kemp (7.8 PPG), who will need to pick up the slack without Woodard. Other key contributors to watch will be Parker Jones, Shawn Steele, and Tanner Barker, as Russellville tries to compete for a district title.

 

13. Allen County-Scottsville – Brad Bonds takes over as head coach, a familiar face for a program that is now on its fifth coach in five years. Bonds has served as an assistant with the boys team, but also was the head coach of the Lady Patriots for the last 11 years, carrying a 223-113 record in his tenure. Marcus Carter’s rebounding and Sam Clarke’s scoring are the hardest to replace, but Coach Bonds feels there are several willing and capable players to fill that void. Keeping Brett Rippy will help. The senior guard averaged 15.4 PPG last season. Cayden Ross (5.8 PPG) also returns from last year’s starters after his football season concludes. Coach Bonds expects Mason Shirley to have a breakout season, stepping up to share point guard duties with Brett Rippy. Team goal is to learn how to compete and win, looking to improve on last year’s 9-19 record.

 

14. Cumberland County – The Panthers are still trying to get back to the region tournament for the first time since 2009 and just the second time this millennium. Last year started promising with a 3-1 opening, but they won just one game the rest of the way, falling in overtime to Russell County in the district semifinals. Only three seniors depart, and leading scorers Dawson Smith (16.5 PPG) and Joseph Johnson (7.8 PPG) should give the experience edge to the Panthers early on. There’s a good chance they’ll get off to a good start again, but the Panthers will need to sustain momentum in January, where they have beaten only Metcalfe County in recent years.

 

15. Franklin-Simpson – Life without Lovan was taxing for Franklin-Simpson a year ago, as they won only two games after the New Year. Fortunately for them, one of those was against Logan County to boost them into the region tournament. The loss of Dee Ragland leaves them without anyone who averaged in the double digits from last season. Kyler Pritchett (9.2 PPG) leads a modest three-man senior class while Dayveon Harris (6.6 PPG) should step into a larger role. The Wildcats are rarely short on athleticism, but they’ve been absolutely gutted by graduation in the last few years, and remain incredibly young.

 

16. Russell County – The Lakers have their work cut out for them to keep their region tournament streak alive – they’ve never missed since joining the region in the 2005/06 season. Ten seniors and four senior starters are gone, and six of those seniors played the majority of minutes. Junior wing Briley Hadley (6’3”, 8.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG) is the lone returning starter and naturally, Coach Billy Carson expects him to take on a big leadership role as a young and inexperienced corps surrounds him. Sophomore forward Scott Hamm is a player Coach Carson feels can average 15 and 10 for the team, citing his motor. Junior Ryan Coffey has been putting in a lot of work in the offseason, and should lead by example. Coach Carson also praised the mindset and work ethic of seniors Ben Abrell and Ben Sapp. While the stated goal of the team is to “win” each day, the Lakers will certainly want to keep their region run alive.

 

17. Metcalfe County – The Hornets have had a difficult time building momentum in recent seasons, but did have competitive flashes a year ago. They will be helped by the return of their entire starting five. Senior Trevor Fields led the team with 4.4 assists per game, and Coach Brandon Brockman expects him to lead by example as his teammates have great respect for the guard. Senior Tyler London will look to improve on his team-leading 11.4 PPG. Boston Devore is the future of the program. The sophomore averaged 9.6 PPG in his freshman season a year ago. Wyatt Fields will be relied on to become more of a threat in the post and on the boards, while Braxton Davis has been working on his ability to drive to the basket. Coach Brockman noted both had strong summers. Reaching double digit wins and Diddle Arena are the major goals for the team.

 

Top Players in the 4th Region

 

1. Jackson Harlan, G, Sr. (Clinton County) – The WKU commit was 7th in the state in scoring last year, and it’s highly likely he’ll drop over 25 PPG again.

 

2. Chandler Clements, F, Sr. (Monroe County) – With the departure of teammate Dyer, Clements will be the unquestion go-to player for the Falcons.

 

3. Dre Boyd, G, Jr. (Warren Central) – The transfer from Adair County averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds a season ago while shooting 61% from the field.

 

4. Trevor Dennis, G, Sr. (Bowling Green) – A deadly sharpshooter, the lone returning starter for the Purples will continue to draw attention on the perimeter.

 

5. Jacob Naylor, G, Sr. (Russellville) – Naylor averaged 17 PPG while hitting 56 three pointers.

 

6. Jack Roberts, G, Sr. (Greenwood) – He’ll shoot it from just about anywhere. He was a second team all-region choice by the coaches last season.

 

7. Isaiah Mason, G, So. (Bowling Green) – The future player of the year for the region, Mason showed exactly what he’s capable of last postseason. He’ll score – a lot.

 

8. Tyler Martin, G, Sr. (South Warren) – Martin shot 39.3% from three on 168 attempts a season ago. Don’t leave him open.

 

9. Seth Stockton, F, Sr. (Clinton County) – Robin to Harlan’s Batman, Stockton averaged a double-double a season ago in leading the state in rebounding.

 

10. John Calvery, C, Sr. (Todd County Central) – The best big man in the region, he shot 56% from the floor in 2018.

 

Just missed: Kobe Brents, Warren Central; Nick Sorrell, Glasgow; Anthony Woodard, Logan County; Will Bandy, Barren County

Edited November 18, 20187 yr by DragonFire

Great article full of stats and info.

Good article !!

Not sure who I would take off but Tashawn Bibb should be in that list.

Garrard Co. scrimmaged Clinton Co. this past Friday. Harlan is a great scorer, with the ultimate green light. Solid team.

Harlan needs to ice his elbow after all them shots.