Will this be the season someone other than Trinity or Ballard wins the Seventh Region? Perhaps. The Male Bulldogs return a heralded junior class and have an enthusiastic new coach in Tim Haworth. Seneca and Waggener return most of their rosters, have outstanding senior players, and are expected to have great seasons.

 

But as the season approaches, Trinity and Ballard again top the Seventh Region pre-season rankings. Trinity boasts University of Louisville commit David Johnson plus outstanding shooter Stan Turnier, while Ballard will look to Alex Holley and newcomer Walter Johnson to lead them this season. It may be that one of the other contenders will emerge victorious at the end of the season, but at this point it appears likely that once again it will be either Trinity or Ballard winning the Seventh Region tournament and advancing to the state tournament, as has been the case the past seven seasons. But that streak has to end one of these years, right?

 

I am anxious to see if this is the year. Let the games begin.

 

TEAM RANKINGS

 

1. Trinity Shamrocks

 

Trinity again is the pick as the top team in the Seventh Region, although Trinity must deal with some significant losses from last season. The loss of Seventh Region Player of the Year Jay Scrubb (17.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg) was expected. What was not expected was the loss of Justin Powell, who last year as a sophomore averaged 11.4 ppg and shot 51% from 3-point range. Powell is now at Monteverde Academy in Florida.

 

Despite those losses, Coach Mike Szabo, entering his eighteenth season as the Shamrocks’ head coach, has plenty of firepower returning, including the top returning player in the Seventh Region (and perhaps the entire state) in 6’5” senior David Johnson. Johnson, a combo guard who can score from anywhere on the floor, averaged 13.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg last season. A top-100 player nationally, Johnson recently recommitted to the Louisville Cardinals.

 

Also returning for the Shamrocks is fellow senior Stan Turnier, a 6’4” shooter who averaged 7.5 ppg and shot 40.3 % from 3-point range last season. Turnier, who also is a good defender, is expected to accept a preferred walk-on position with the University of Georgia next year.

 

And that’s not all. Jamil Hardaway is a 6’3” senior high energy player who averaged 6.2 ppg and 5.1 rpg last season. Also back for their senior seasons and expected to see a lot of minutes at the guard position are 6’0” Kamari Kenemore and 5’9” Kolton Rice. Sophomore Ethan Hodge, 6’1”, will also see minutes at the guard position while junior Andrew Brian, 6’5”, will provide depth in the frontcourt.

 

It will be a challenge for Trinity to match last year’s results: a 30-4 record (12-0 in the Seventh Region), Seventh Region championship, winners of the Farm Bureau Insurance Classic in South Carolina and the Louisville Invitational Tournament. But with David Johnson leading the way, the Shamrocks should again be at the top of the region.

 

2. Ballard Bruins

 

Ballard lost most of its offensive production from last year’s 27-7 team that lost to Trinity in the Seventh Region championship game, including three double-figure scorers in Marshon Ford, Dorion Tisby, and Delonta Wimberly. But the Bruins have a way of finding ways to deal with such losses, and this year should be no different.

 

Senior Alexander Holley (6’6”, 7.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg) returns for Ballard and is expected to have an outstanding senior campaign. Long and versatile, Holley can score in a variety of ways. Also returning are juniors Rashad Bishop (6’5”, 4.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and Lewis Richards (5’10”, 4.5 ppg), who should step into the starting point guard position.

 

Coach Chris Renner, who went over 600 career victories last season, expects newcomer Walter Johnson (senior, 6’1”) to lead the Bruins in scoring. Johnson played in 20 games two years ago at Trinity and started the season last year at Trinity before spending most of the year at Aspire Academy. He can score in a variety of ways. Also expected to see significant minutes are seniors Kaelon Harkema (6'2”) and Isaac Womack (6’0”), both of whom missed substantial portions of last season due to injuries/illnesses, and juniors Josh Minkins (6'3”, a Division I football prospect) and Larrell Coleman (5'8”). Two other Bruins of note are 6’4” junior Terrance McDaniels, a transfer from Trinity who has yet to be declared eligible for this season, and 6’4” 8th grader Kaleb Glenn.

 

This season’s version of the Bruins will have more size than usual, good depth, and is expected to be a good shooting team. That is a pretty good combination. Expect Ballard to once again be among the best teams in the Seventh Region.

 

3. Male Bulldogs

 

The Bulldogs welcome Head Coach Tim Haworth from the Hopkinsville Tigers. Coach Haworth won 5 regional championships while at Hopkinsville and advanced to the state tournament semi-finals in 2013, where the Tigers lost to eventual state champion Madison Central.

 

Coach Haworth timed his arrival at Male well, as the Bulldogs have a ton of talent returning from last season’s team that went 17-14. The Bulldogs’ junior class is loaded and includes athletic Howard Fleming (10.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg last season), who will still be recovering from off-season shoulder surgery when the season starts; scoring threats Tyren Moore (11.8 ppg, 45% 3-point shooting) and Jake Evans (6.3 ppg, 40% 3-point shooting); and Noah Courtney (8.3 ppg, 6 rpg), a beast on both ends of the court. Male also will have plenty of size with 6’7” senior Richard White, 6’5” junior Richard White and 6’5” Kobe Scott. Throw in juniors Trenton Findley and Justin Buford, plus sophomores Cameron Pope and Trey Stone, all of whom should see plenty of playing time, and you can see why Coach Haworth is excited about the potential he sees in the Bulldogs.

 

Male lost twice to both Trinity and Ballard last season. One of the biggest questions in the Seventh Region going into this season is whether the Bulldogs will move up to challenge the Shamrocks and Bruins. It will be fun to see if that is the case.

 

4. Seneca Redhawks

 

Coach Miquel Coleman returns for his second season with the Redhawks after having a truly roller coaster season last year. The Redhawks lost 9 of their first 10 games before winning six games in a row, a streak that ended on January 23 when Seneca not only lost the game to Manual but lost big man Carl Parker for the rest of the season to a knee injury. The Redhawks went 4-9 the rest of the year but one of the wins was a nice 70-66 victory over Waggener in the opening round of the 27th district tournament.

 

Seneca’s level of success this season will partially depend on the 6’5” Parker’s return to good health. Parker was averaging 16.8 ppg and 11.0 rpg when he was injured last season. If Parker can return to that level of production for his senior season, the Redhawks may be in for a very memorable year, as there is plenty of returning talent in addition to Parker. Senior Richard Ninamou averaged 16.5 ppg and 7.8 rpg last season, while senior Philip Armstrong contributed 12.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg. Armstrong also averaged 1.3 made 3-pointers a game while shooting 37.6% from 3-point range. Fellow seniors Timothy Gordon (8.7 ppg) and Robert Walker (7.6 ppg) also return to give Seneca a number of solid offensive options with substantial playing experience.

 

Parker’s anticipated return to 100% health-wise and the return of Ninamou, Armstrong, and the others suggest that this indeed should be a fun season for the Redhawks.

 

5. Waggener Wildcats

 

After leading the Wildcats to an 18-9 record in the regular season, Coach Bryan O’Neill missed the first game of the 27th district tournament last season when he was at the hospital with his wife who had gone into labor. Waggener ended up losing that game to Seneca 70-66, leaving Coach O’Neill and the Wildcats looking forward to this season.

 

Coach O’Neill welcomes back a very talented senior class, led by athletic 6’4” Jaago “J. J.” Kalakon. Kalakon holds multiple Division I offers, and played on the Kentucky junior all-star team that beat the senior all-star team during the summer. He averaged 10.3 ppg last season and is a well-rounded player who contributes in all phases of the game. He fits well in Waggener’s balanced offensive attack.

 

Kalakon is just one of the talented members of Waggener’s senior class. Kevion Hudson (6’1”, 8.7 ppg) is a combination guard who effectively attacks the basket. Coach O’Neill believes Jacobi Hendricks (5’10”, 9.7 ppg) will once again be an effective outside shooter and scoer. Cobie Montgomery (6’5”, 6.0 ppg) has the size to be a force inside but can also score from outside. Nick Brewer (6’3”, 4.3 ppg) and Kameron Barnett (6’3”, 1.6 ppg) round out the senior class and give the Wildcats good team size. Among the non-senior contributors will be juniors Dallas Rufus (6’3”, 7.4 ppg) and Dezmond White (6’0”). Expect all of them and more to get plenty of minutes in Waggener’s fast-paced style of play.

 

6. Central Yellowjackets

 

Central’s 10 wins last season included two wins against 27th district rival Manual and a first round regional tournament win over Seneca before its season ended in the Seventh Region semi-finals with a loss to Ballard. Veteran Head Coach Doug Bibby will have a lot to work with this season, led by returning seniors Josh Watkins (10.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Eric Rice (9.5 ppg). Sophomores Devin Perry (7.2 ppg) and Delshawn Simms (6.4 ppg) saw considerable time on the floor last year and will do so again this year, as should fellow sophomore Nijuel Williams. Expect Central to have its typical quick, hard-playing team and a return to the Seventh Region tournament for the 8th straight year (every year since Central was moved to the Seventh Region prior to the 2011-12 season).

 

7. St. Xavier Tigers

 

St. X has won at least 19 games in each of the last 7 seasons, including winning 20 games last season, but the Tigers face some challenges heading into the 2018-19 season. Pierce Kiesler, a first-team all-Seventh Region performer and a member of the Kentucky All-Star team, is gone, and the Tigers are sure to miss his size and his 18.4 ppg and 7.7 rpg. Coach Kevin Klein looks forward to the return of 6’1” junior point guard James Taylor (11.7 ppg) and 6’2” junior Sam Boarman (6.4 ppg, 40.3% shooting from 3-point range), both of whom are potential sources to replace some of the offense lost by Kiesler’s departure. So is fellow junior Clay Borders, who averaged 5.5 ppg and shot 43.5% from 3-point range last season. Another junior, Kyle Bansbach (3.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg), also will see plenty of minutes. The Tigers will miss the size they had just two years ago with the 6’7” Kiesler and 6’8” Tyler Barnes (now at the University of Alabama).

 

8. Eastern Eagles

 

Coach David Henley enters his seventh season at Eastern with a lot coming back from last year’s 11-20 team. Senior 5’10” guard Jacob Robinson averaged 13 ppg last season, shooting 44% from 3-point range (1.7 3’s per game). Fellow senior Ethan Coury averaged 7.2 ppg and shot 38% from 3-point range (1.4 3’s per game). They will be rejoined this season by seniors William Clay and Jackson Molsberger, whose seasons last year were cut short by injuries. Sophomores Ben Craig (6 ppg) and Will Glass (2.7 ppg) saw lots of minutes on the floor last season and should move forward this season, as should fellow sophomore Zach Bird.

 

9. DuPont Manual Crimsons

 

Manual lost five of its top six scorers from last year’s team that went 14-17 and lost in the opening round of the Seventh Region tournament to St. X. Long-time Coach James Just, who reached 400 career wins last season, will build this year’s team around 6’5” junior Eli Roberts, who averaged 10.3 ppg and 4.5 rpg last season. Roberts has the potential to be one of the best players in the Region. Among other returning players who will have the opportunity to step up to fill the void left by so many offensive contributors graduating will be seniors Alex Conlin and Andrew Schaff, plus juniors Zach Rechtenwald, Colin Weaver, Shane Courtney, and Lesther Perez-Garay.

 

10. Christian Academy of Louisville Centurions

 

After going 24-11 and advancing to the Seventh Region championship game in the 2016-17 season, last season produced 6 wins for the Titans and was truly a season to forget. CAL took a big step in moving past last season when it hired Bryce Hibbard as its new head coach. Hibbard, who was already in the CAL system as a middle school principal, is not your typical first year head coach, as he previously won a state championship while coaching the Eastern Eagles in 1997 and advanced to the state championship game in 2001 while coaching the Male Bulldogs. In all, Coach Hibbard has won 5 regional championships.

 

Coach Hibbard welcomes back leading scorer senior Jacob Dupps (10.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg) plus senior Eric Mowder (6.8 ppg, 33% 3-point shooting) and 6’5” junior Tyler McDaniel (6.4 ppg). Junior Nate Saettel, who averaged 9.7 ppg last season at Collegiate, is now at CAL. The Titans likely won’t return to the success they enjoyed during the 2016-17 season, but certainly should improve on last season’s record.

 

11. Shawnee Golden Eagles

 

Former Louisville Collegiate Head Coach Dionte Mucker takes over the reins of the Golden Eagles, who went from 1 win in the 2016-17 season to 6 wins last season. Shawnee looks to again move forward in the win column this season, and they have the returning players to do so. In fact, the Golden Eagles lost only two players to graduation from last season’s team. Among the returning players are seniors Jermon Boyd (10.2 ppg, 10.8 rpg) and Lajuantre Gray (9.9 ppg) plus junior Josiah Bivens (6.3 ppg). Boyd is a particularly versatile player who will play every position on the floor at times.

 

12. Louisville Collegiate Titans

 

Last season’s 23-8 record was the best in Collegiate’s history and included the Titans advancing to the All A state tournament, where it won its first round game 53-39 against Raceland. Coach Zach Settembre left to join the coaching staff at Tallahassee Community College and has been replaced by George Hornstein, formerly an assistant at Butler in the Sixth Region. The return of 6’5” junior Chez Moore will present a challenge to most of Collegiate’s opponents this season. Moore averaged 18.7 ppg and 9.9 rpg last season and was named first team all-Seventh Region by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Also returning for the Titans are junior Drew Manning (8.3 ppg) and sophomores Cole Thompson (point guard, 3.9 ppg) and Trevor Holbrook (3.3 ppg). Coach Hornstein expects contributions from juniors Joey Leachman (a transfer from St. X) and Hudson Good.

 

13. St. Francis Wyverns

 

While St. Francis’s new coach will be a new face to the Seventh Region, he is not a new face to the St. Francis community. Shavar Cowherd has coached the St. Francis middle school team for the past 6 seasons. The major challenge facing Coach Cowherd this season will be dealing with the loss of Jomar Sullivan, an all-Seventh Region performer last season now at Hanover. But the Wyverns have plenty coming back from last year’s 13-16 team, including returning senior starters Ahmad Moore (6’2”, 11.1 ppg), Noah Sparks (10.1 ppg), and T.J. Richardson (4.4 ppg). Moore is poised to become the third 1000-point scorer in St. Francis history, joining Sean O’Brien and James Risley in that exclusive club. Sophomore Darian Wade likely will increase his 7 ppg from last year. Seniors Jeremiah Smith and Chris Anastis plus juniors Connor Gorman and Bruce Hamilton also are expected to play significant minutes.

 

14. Kentucky Country Day Bearcats

 

First year Head Coach Anthony Mathis could use the likes of his son Anthony Jr. (now a sophomore at the Naval Academy) or his nephew Solomon (now a freshman at Franklin & Marshall) this season for the Bearcats. Both were tremendous players for the Bearcats. Coach Mathis is excited about the Bearcats’ junior class that includes leading returning scorer Michael Collis (6.9 ppg), Anthony O’Neal (5.6 ppg), and Jalen Mathis (4.6 ppg). Collis and O’Neal were 33% shooters from three-point range while Mathis was not far behind at 31%. Also returning for the Bearcats will be seniors Peyton Hendrickson (4.9 ppg), Sam Siefke (2.9 ppg), and McKay Howell (1.9 ppg), all who saw considerable action last season. Coach Mathis also expects contributions this season from junior Vijay Vinayakan and sophomore Nick Roemer.

 

15. Portland Christian Eagles

 

First year Head Coach Matt Heid is fortunate to have 6’2” senior Quincy Dye returning. Dye led the Seventh Region in both scoring (20.8 ppg) and rebounding (10 rpg) last season. Also returning will be senior guard Michael Meredith (8.2 ppg) and sophomore Alex Steen (4.9 ppg). The Eagles will miss Keller Mackey, who averaged 8.5 ppg last season and teamed with Dye to give Portland Christian two good-sized frontcourt players. The Eagles won 13 games last season, the fourth year in a row they reached double digits in victories, the first such streak in school history. Look for the Eagles to continue that streak.

 

16. Atherton Rebels

 

Atherton lost their top five scorers from last season’s 9-16 squad, including three double-figure scorers. The leading returning scorers are seniors Dylan Rietze (4.1 ppg), Josiah Price (3.2 ppg), and Samuel Padgett (2.4 ppg). Senior Scottie Baldwin and sophomore Da Von Johnson also saw action in a number of games last year. Coach Mark Tudor will be asking those five and others to step up to fill the void left by so many points being lost to graduation.

 

17. Brown Bears

 

New Head Coach Jermil Bibb welcomes back super-quick senior guard Jai’rus Bibb, who last season shot 39.7% from three-point range (25/63) and averaged 16 ppg. Joining Jai’rus in the backcourt will be his cousin, sophomore Josiah Bibb (9.5 ppg last season). Those two will be a very exciting and productive backcourt. Senior Kobe Hess (5.1 ppg) is also returning and expected to be a significant contributor. Brown won 11 games last season, the most for a Brown Bears team since the 1999-2000 season. Look for the Bears to hit double digits in victories this season, which would be back-to-back 10-win seasons for the Bears for the first time since the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons.

 

18. Walden Wolverines

 

The Walden Wolverines won two games last season after not fielding a varsity team the previous year. The Wolverines will miss the steady play and basketball IQ of the graduated Jack Pitchford. But long-time contributor Adam Rudy will be back, along with almost everybody else from a roster that included seven freshman last year Walden should expect to move forward from last year’s two wins.

 

TOP TEN PLAYERS

 

I frankly had a much more difficult time picking the top ten players and ranking them than I did ranking the teams. While David Johnson is a clear number one pick, the rest could be ranked in any order and any different order would be as defensible as these rankings. And there are another 10-15 players who are deserving to be on any list of the top players in the region. In fact, I simply could not limit the list to 10 players, so I have 2 no. 10’s on the list (so that is not a mistake).

 

1. David Johnson, Trinity, 6’5” senior

 

Arguably the best player in the Commonwealth. A strong, athletic combo guard who averaged 13.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg last season, Johnson recently recommitted to the University of Louisville.

 

2. Jaago “J.J.” Kalakon, Waggener, 6’4” senior

 

A member of the Kentucky junior all-star team that beat the senior all-star team this summer, Kalakon averaged 10.3 ppg last season. A smooth forward who plays well in Waggener’s balanced system.

 

3. Alex Holley, Ballard, 6’6” senior

 

Athletic big man who got better as last season progressed. Expected to take on increased responsibilities this year.

 

4. Howard Fleming, Male, 6’4” junior

 

Member of Male’s highly regarded junior class will start this season on the sideline recovering from shoulder surgery.

 

5. Carl Parker, Seneca, 6’5” senior

 

Double-double machine who was averaging 16.8 ppg and 11 rpg when he suffered a season-ending knee injury mid-season last year.

 

6. Stan Turnier, Trinity, 6’4” senior

 

Perhaps the best 3-point shooter in the region. Likely headed to the University of Georgia as a preferred walk-on.

 

7. Walter Johnson, Ballard, 6’1” senior

 

Senior comes to Ballard after spending last season at Aspire Academy. Expected to be the Bruins’ leading scorer.

 

8. Chez Moore, Collegiate, 6’5” junior

 

A big reason Collegiate had its best season ever last year. Averaged 18.7 ppg and 9.9 rpg.

 

9. James Taylor, St. X, 6’1” junior

 

Outstanding point guard who can also score (11.7 ppg last season) returns for his junior year. Likely to see his scoring numbers increase this year.

 

10. Richard Ninamou, Seneca, 6’2” senior

 

Averaged 16.5 ppg and 7.8 rpg last season; will combine with Carl Parker to give Seneca a strong one-two punch.

 

10. Quincy Dye, Portland Christian, 6’2” senior

 

Seventh Region’s leading scorer (20.8 ppg) and rebounder (10 rpg) last season returns for his senior season.

James Taylor is one of top Junior PG in State. Been St.X starting PG since a Frosh. Looking forward to see him play this year. Tigers going to be lacking height they’ve had in past. 7th region going to be tough as always. Looking forward to another basketball season!

Will Trinity and Ballard be ranked in states top 5?

 

I havent seen a pre season state ranking but I am assuming it includes these 2 along with Scott County and Cov Cath.

Will Trinity and Ballard be ranked in states top 5?

 

I havent seen a pre season state ranking but I am assuming it includes these 2 along with Scott County and Cov Cath.

 

Probably yes to answer your question on Trinity and Ballard but this thread needs to focus on the 7th Region and not Scott County, CovCath, or statewide rankings.

Very thorough and informative article, Smallhoops. I thank you for it.