The 2017-18 season featured some high-powered offensive talent across the 12th Region, led by Mercer County’s Mr. Basketball, Trevon Faulkner. Mercer, Pulaski, Somerset, Boyle and West Jessamine all spent time in various state top 25 polls during the season, and all were capable of putting up a lot of points on any given night. It was Southwestern, however, who controlled pace in the Regional Tournament with a disciplined offense and a stifling defense, holding Region favorites Mercer and Pulaski to nearly 30 points below their season average in the semifinals and finals, to punch their ticket to Rupp Arena as 12th Region champs.

 

 

The 2018-19 season will look very different. All of the top teams from last season will have to deal with heavy losses from departing seniors, while teams who took their lumps with younger rosters last year will be primed to assert their claim as the team to beat in what will be a wide-open chase for the Regional crown. 2018-19 may be a down year in overall talent within the Region, but it should be an intensely competitive race as no less than six teams will have a legitimate shot at the title.

 

 

Preseason 12th Region Rankings

 

 

1. Wayne County – An argument can be made for six or seven teams being in this #1 position, but the depth of Wayne’s returning cast gives them the slight nod as the top choice. Give an experienced coach an experienced team and it usually results in a successful season. Senior guard tandem Aubrey Weaver and Kameron Gehring are back, giving Wayne perhaps the most experienced backcourt in the Region. Weaver, Gehring, fellow Senior Zachary Dishman and 6’4” Junior Thomas Spencer together give Wayne the deepest perimeter team in the Region, with one of the best three-point shooters in Gehring, providing coach Rodney Woods with a balanced foundation for making a run at another Region championship.

 

 

2. Lincoln County – The Patriots only lose graduating Senior Chase Philips and a transfer, and have a nucleus of returning players who should put Lincoln back in the Regional tournament this season and in contention for the 12th Region title should they be able to escape the difficult 45th District. Lincoln has an enviable variety of player skills – an athletic Freshman point guard in Jaxson Smith, a knockdown shooter with 6’0” Senior Blake Smith, a 6’8” space eating shot blocker with Junior Riley Bodner, alongside experienced playmakers in Senior Bryson Yaden and Junior Elijah Frye. If Coach Jeff Jackson effectively can assimilate this variety and mold it into the traditionally disciplined Lincoln style that is so effective come tournament time, the Patriots will be the team to beat.

 

 

3. Danville – The Admirals may have the most talent in the 12th Region, and they are certainly amongst the most athletic. 6’4” Senior Zach Thornton is one of the top all-around athletes in the Region, and 6’7” Senior Deshaud St. Martin provides an athletic inside presence that few in the Region can match up with. Sophomore Dante Hayden is a streaky shooter with range to 25 feet and should become a key scorer for Danville this season. The Admirals may have a rollercoaster start to the season as football players get acclimated, but by tournament time they should be one of the favorites to win the loaded 45th District tournament.

 

 

4. West Jessamine - West graduated seven seniors, but returns one of the Region’s top players in Dalton Bruner and arguably the best Sophomore in the Region in DeAjuan Stepp. 6’3” Senior Michael Thalacker gives West a third 3-level scorer, which should help open up opportunities for Bruner and Stepp, and 6’3” Senior Braden Fomas is a lock-down defender and one of the better rebounders in the Region. Bruner is already a dynamic scorer, but if he can expand his game and become a floor leader that can control pace and make the players around him better, West could move to top of the Region. If the Colts can handle the physical play they face this season, and become effective playing at multiple speeds, they have a real chance at playing in Rupp in March.

 

 

5. Mercer County – Trevon Faulkner, Ty Divine and Gunnar Gillis are significant losses from the 2017-18 team that many thought to be the favorite to win the 12th Region Tournament. Carter Baughman and 6’3” Kaelin Drakeford were key players on last year’s team and return as the primary scoring threats, and Baughman will possibly be the best all-around player in the Region this year. 5’9” Junior Jamison Lewis was effective off the bench last season, and he should help offload Baughman’s ball-handling responsibilities and will make the Mercer County backcourt the quickest in the 12th Region. Mercer will likely want to press and push tempo this season, but to win the Region they will need to develop some depth and learn how to break the ‘sit back and watch Trevon’ habit when crunch time arises.

 

 

6. Boyle County – The Rebels return two key players from the 2017-18 team, Juniors Reese Smith and Grant Hotchkiss, both are solid all-around players who can score, defend, rebound and handle. Smith will be one of the top players in the Region, and with Hotchkiss will lead a lesser-experienced contingent of players with a shutdown defense and physical style of play that some of the finesse teams in the Region may struggle with. Senior Jacob Lassiter and Caleb Jackson should be key contributors, but for Boyle to survive the competitive 45th they will need to find a way to fill the perimeter shooting and playmaking void left by Bryce Slone’s and Jason Alexander’s graduation – not an easy task. With many of the key players playing football, a slow start is possible but by tournament time the Rebels could be one of the best teams in the Region.

 

 

7. Garrard County – A team on the rise under Coach Ryan Young with one of the top scorers in 6’4” Junior Braden Sebastian, Garrard County is primed to make some noise in the 12th Region this season. Senior Charles Jones gives the Golden Lions a physical presence in the paint, and fellow Senior Brice Burkhart can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting ability. Sebastian is an all-around player that can score inside and out, is a solid rebounder and displays excellent footwork in traffic; but if he is forced by need to also be the primary ball handler, the other portions of his game may suffer. If Garrard can find a ball handling point guard to take on that responsibility, advancing though the 45th and the 12th Region Tournament becomes a realistic possibility.

 

 

8. Pulaski County – The graduation of Danny Butt and Steven Fitzgerald, two of the top players in the Region last season, puts the Maroons in a bit of a rebuilding mode. With 2018-19 projecting to be a down year for both the 12th Region and the 47th District, however, Pulaski should be able to advance at least to the Regional Tournament. An experienced returning point guard is always valuable for a lesser-experienced team, and 5’11” Junior Colton Fraley is one of the best true point guards in the Region. Fraley will be asked to take on more of the scoring load this year, as will another returning player with a lot of game experience from last season, Junior Grant Oaks. Oaks will provide the Maroons with a physical rebounder and scorer in the paint, and Sophomore K.J. Combs will open things up with his 3-point shooting ability. With the experienced PG Fraley as floor general, development of these younger players could put Pulaski in a position to advance deep in the Regional Tournament.

 

 

9. Southwestern – After hovering around .500 all during the 2017-18 season and dropping their last six out of seven games going into District play, not many considered the Warriors a strong contender for the Region crown. The senior-laden team then went into tournament mode, emphasizing offensive patience and an amplified defensive effort on their way to five straight wins and the 12th Region championship. The 2018-19 team will feature a deep Junior class that got some quality Varsity experience last season, including two players with the potential to give the Warriors a strong inside presence in Brayden Sims and Jon Wood, with PG Cole Dysinger and perimeter shooter Andrew Smith being the core of the backcourt.

 

 

10. Somerset – Coming off a 25-win season, the 2018-19 Briar Jumpers will have one of the youngest rosters in the Region. Sophmore Kade Grundy is a creative playmaker who can both score in bunches and be effective in setting up teammates. Senior Chase Walker will operate alongside Grundy in the backcourt, while Junior Jase Bruner and Sophomore Dakota Acey return to help on the inside and have some Varsity experience from last season. With Grundy leading the charge, Somerset will play an energetic brand of basketball and should be an enjoyable team to watch. With a relatively weak 47th District this year, Somerset has a good chance to make it to the Regional Tournament.

 

 

11. East Jessamine – The Jaguars return one starter in Senior Tyler Pitney, a 6’3” Power Forward who can provide a solid presence inside the paint, while fellow Senior Kenzell Wadkins provides some returning backcourt experience. Juniors Michael Powell and Gage Simmons, and Sophomore Zion Thomas, all played significant Varsity minutes last season and give East some solid depth on the perimeter.

 

 

12. Casey County – The Rebels struggled in 2017-18, but should be more competitive this season. Senior Michael Christian was Casey’s leading scorer last year and is the lone returning starter, while Sophomore Spencer Baird transfers in from Lincoln County and brings some playmaking ability. The key to a successful Rebels season may reside in the return of Senior Max Reyes, who was sidelined last year with a knee injury but if healthy can help Casey County be competitive in the 47th.

 

 

13. Rockcastle County – Coming off a 5-win rebuilding season, the Rockets look to be competitive in the 47th this season as they return four starters from the 2017-18 team. Seniors Isaac Stratton and Cade Burdette and Juniors Logan Noel and Josh Thacker provide Rockcastle with as much returning experience as anyone in the 12th Region, the Rockets will have a solid perimeter shooting team that should have a chance of advancing to the Regional Tournament.

 

 

14. McCreary Central – The Raiders enter the 2018-19 season with one returning starter in Senior Guard Nick Longmire, a solid perimeter shooter and ball handler that should be the primary option on offense this season. Seniors T.J. Privett and Caleb Cox played significant minutes last season and will be key contributors this year, while Juniors Evan Kidd and Blake Corder and others should provide some depth and help the Raiders be competitive in the 48th District.

 

 

15. Burgin – Everyone returns for the Bulldogs, including leading scorer and rebounder Cameron Hurst, a three-year starter. Senior Ethan Kestler should lead the supporting cast as Burgin looks to improve upon their 10-win season from a year ago.

 

 

16. KSD – The Colonels look to bounce back from a 1-win season in 2017-18. Returning Sophomore Aaron Howard led the team in scoring last year, and Freshman Richard Ward should be a key contributor.

 

 

Top Players in the 12th Region

 

 

1 and 1a. Carter Baughman, G, Sr. (Mercer County) and Dalton Bruner, G, Sr. (West Jessamine) – These two should battle all year to stake the claim for Player of the Year in the 12th Region, and we could see a repeat of 2017-18 where both Trevon Faulkner and Steven Fitzgerald represented the 12th as Mr. Basketball finalists. Baughman is the better true PG of the two, he provides stable leadership and can control pace, reads the floor well and is adept at getting teammates involved in the offense. His on-ball defensive pressure is outstanding, and he is a streaky shooter who can light it up from the three-point line when on. Bruner is a bit stronger physically and is better at being able to create his own shot, on all three levels. He is explosive off the bounce and can change speeds and direction with lightning quickness, and is strong enough to finish in traffic. Bruner has made significant improvements in his perimeter shooting and defense, if he can mature as a stabilizing floor leader and develop his ability to help his team be productive at any pace he may separate himself for POY honors.

 

 

3. Deshaud St. Martin, Sr. (Danville) – St. Martin is 6’7” and may end up leading the Region in rebounding, but he is more than just an inside banger. Deshaud can run the floor, block shots, knock down three-point shots and finish at the rim in transition or in traffic. St. Martin raised his game to another level during AAU play this summer, and if brings that intensity to the court this season it could propel the Admirals to a very successful 2018-19 campaign. The raw talent is there; stamina and consistency will be the challenges to overcome for Deshaud to ascend to the top of the Region.

 

 

4. Reese Smith, G, Jr. (Boyle County) – One of the top athletes in the 12th Region with a bright football future, Smith is a versatile player who is very effective at leveraging his strength on the court. Despite only being 5’11”, he is perhaps the best offensive rebounder in the Region. Smith is a physical and effective defender and goes strong to the rim, and can both finish and get to the FT line. Some improvement could be made with perimeter shooting, but for every other aspect Smith is a game-changer on both ends of the floor.

 

 

5. Braden Sebastian, G, Jr. (Garrard County) – 6’5” and fundamentally solid, Sebastian can score inside or out, rebound on both ends, and handle the ball effectively under pressure. To be effective at the next level there may need to be some improvement in overall athleticism and defense, but for Garrard and the 12th Region, Sebastian will be one of the top players for this season and next.

 

 

6. Colton Fraley, G, So. (Pulaski County) – One of the top PG’s in the Region, Fraley spent most of 2017-18 supporting primary scorers Fitzgerald and Butt. This season will produce more scoring contribution from Fraley, but he will still operate as the quarterback on the floor and his Pulaski teammates will be the beneficiary of his overall experience, ball handling, passing and court vision.

 

 

7. Kaelin Drakeford, G, Jr. (Mercer County) – The 6’3 Drakeford has a high basketball IQ and is an effective scorer both from the perimeter and going to the rim. A solid shooter with sneaky athleticism, he will need to create his own shot more often this year, but as defenses slant to contain Baughman, Drakeford should have ample opportunity to showcase his offensive skills.

 

 

8. DeAjuan Stepp, F, So. (West Jessamine) – With two years of varsity experience, 6’3” Stepp is a veteran player yet only a Sophomore. When motivated, Stepp’s length and athleticism allow him to take over a game on the defensive end of the floor. He excels with the mid-range game, but can score on all three levels. Like teammate Bruner, Stepp prefers to have the ball in his hands and create his own offense, so finding a way to complement each other’s style will be a key to success for both players.

 

 

9. Zach Thornton, G, Sr. (Danville) – Another all-around athlete whose future may be in football, Thornton is an excellent ball handling PG who can penetrate and finish, and should have plenty of chances to get to the rim as defenders may be slow to leave St. Martin to help. A decent three-point shooter, Thornton may need to improve his FT shooting for the Admirals to avoid upsets come tournament time.

 

 

10. Aubrey Weaver, G, Sr. (Wayne County) – One of three returning starters, Weaver is an athletic perimeter player who is a solid shooter, can attack the rim and finish in traffic. Another year’s experience and sharing the backcourt with one of the better shooters in the 12th (Gehring), should set Weaver up for a big Senior season.

 

 

Next up: Kameron Gehring, Wayne County; Riley Bodner, Lincoln County; Kade Grundy, Somerset; Grant Hotchkiss, Boyle County; Thomas Spencer, Wayne County; Blake Smith, Lincoln County; Dante Hayden, Danville.

Grant Hotchkiss had surgery about a month ago and his return to the court is unknown. Last I heard it could be January or February before he comes back.

 

Freshmen PG Aden Slone(Bryce Slone’s little brother) is one of the top freshmen in the state and I think he will be the starting PG for the Rebels. Fellow freshmen Luke Imfeld and Hagan Webb will also likely get plenty of minutes for the Rebels. Especially early in the season.

IF DeShaud St. Martin brings it every single day in practice and brings it every single game then he could carry Danville back to the regional tournament. He has a ton of talent and with his size he could be an unstoppable force in the 12th Region.

Braden Sebastian is a damn good player. If you have a chance to watch Garrard County play go watch this kid play. You won’t be disappointed.

 

And do not sleep on Garrard County.

Quite the depth in the 45th District this season. #2, #3, #6 and #7 in Preseason. Bring your big boy pants in these district games. The reemergence of Danville and Garrard Co. as being competitive forces in the district the past few seasons has really made this district fun to watch.

A couple of keys for Garrard Co.

1. Stay Healthy (Late season injuries have killed them. Specifically leading into district tournaments the past two seasons).

2. The emergence of Charles Jones as a force inside and out. This kid has came along way under Coach Young.

3. Role players knocking down open shots

The schedule they have prepared is difficult early, but should prepare them to have a shot at a district title.

I think with the region this year there will be a lot of head scratching games this where teams beat each other and there isn't a rhyme or reason as to why games play out like they do. I would put Pulaski above Garrard at 7 and say that any of those top 7 could win region. Until I see that Garrard has someone to handle the ball I just can't put them in that category.

I think with the region this year there will be a lot of head scratching games this where teams beat each other and there isn't a rhyme or reason as to why games play out like they do. I would put Pulaski above Garrard at 7 and say that any of those top 7 could win region. Until I see that Garrard has someone to handle the ball I just can't put them in that category.

I don’t necessarily disagree. Although, I will say what’s true is that every team in the Region has question marks to answer. I wouldn’t say there is an “unflawed” team. The team that does the best job answering those throughout the season will put themselves in a great position. Aside, if Garrard is lucky/good enough to make it through the 45th they’ll be prepared just like any of the rest of the teams. I think Boyle fans would agree that they had every opportunity to win that district tournament game last year.

I don’t necessarily disagree. Although, I will say what’s true is that every team in the Region has question marks to answer. I wouldn’t say there is an “unflawed” team. The team that does the best job answering those throughout the season will put themselves in a great position. Aside, if Garrard is lucky/good enough to make it through the 45th they’ll be prepared just like any of the rest of the teams. I think Boyle fans would agree that they had every opportunity to win that district tournament game last year.

 

I agree with you 100% about every team has holes to fill without a doubt. I just think those top 7 have good point guards and ball handlers. Without that its hard to build from there and win championships. If Garrard develops that they have some other pieces to build around.

When Will Jamison Lewis be ready to go? I know he had a pretty serious injury very early in the Titans football season.

When Will Jamison Lewis be ready to go? I know he had a pretty serious injury very early in the Titans football season.

 

Good question. I have not heard anything specifically on him or Hotchkiss from Boyle Co. Key pieces for both programs.

When Will Jamison Lewis be ready to go? I know he had a pretty serious injury very early in the Titans football season.

 

Barring any setbacks he should be ready to go for the season opener. He is a guy that not a lot of people know about but he is really fast, good defender and scorer. He is small but plays bigger than his size. I am not sure anybody else in the region will have 3 better perimeter players than Lewis, Drakeford, Baughman. A big question mark for Mercer as with a lot of teams in the region will be inside play. With Baughman and Lewis great on ball defense teams better have a few guys that can handle the ball.

Good question. I have not heard anything specifically on him or Hotchkiss from Boyle Co. Key pieces for both programs.

 

The second post in this thread has the latest Hotchkiss info that I received.