Another season has arrived in the state of Kentucky and youll be hard pressed to find any better basketball then what you find night in and night out in the 11th Region. Last season the 11th Region Champion Scott County Cardinals made it all the way to the state championship before falling to Covington Catholic. As always this years region will be loaded with talent, both team and individual. Lets get right to it!!

 

Team Rankings

Before we get to the rankings I just want to put a disclaimer that their is a lot of unknown about some rosters around the region. At the time I am writing this I am going to include the most up to date information I have!

 

1. Scott County Cardinals - The Cardinals return the core of their state runner up squad last year including one of the top players in the state in Michael Moreno. Also back is sharp shooter Bryce Long, playmaker Diablo Stewart, Cam Fluker and a host of players that saw significant minutes off the bench. Isaiah Allen, who has been at Tates Creek and Paul Laurence Dunbar also has joined the Cardinals. This team is loaded with talent and experience and looks primed for another deep run in March. Until someone in the region knocks them off it is their region to lose.

 

2. Henry Clay Blue Devils - The Blue Devils return two of the best backcourt players in the region in Keaston Brown and Marques Warrick. Warrick had a breakout season last year and looks to continue his dominant play this season. Add in Ramond Jackson and Harris Hawkins and the Blue Devils have a nice core group to challenge the Cardinals. Of course they will get plenty of chances being in the same district. Cant wait to see these two go head to head.

 

3. Paul Laurence Dunbar - The Bulldogs aren't a team many have been talking about all offseason or much of last season. That will change!!! The Bulldogs had 3 nice additions fall in their lap in the form of three 6'8" international students who happened to be placed in their district per the state of Kentucky and the foster home system. Add in that size and length to returners Jared Gadd, who has played valuable minutes since he was a freshmen, and Mike Corio who is also a 4 year varsity player and the bulldogs will be a matchup problem for everyone in the region with their size.

 

4. Frederick Douglass Broncos - The Broncos had a great summer including winning the KBA AAU State Tournament. They return the majority of their scoring and play an up-tempo fast paced style unlike any team in the region. They play a ton of guys and stay after you all game. Look for Nathan Mack and DeShawn Jackson to have big seasons for the Broncos.

 

5. Madison Central - The Indians look to have another strong season and will be lead by big man and WKU commit Isaiah Cozart. Cozart is on the cusp of breaking the record for most career blocked shots in the state of Kentucky and has really improved his offensive game. Look for Quaezhan Charlton to help Cozart lead the offense as the Indians look to make another push towards Rupp Arena.

 

6. Lexington Christian Academy - The Eagles came within a 3 pointer in the corner from knocking off Scott County last year in the Regional Final. LCA graduated a ton of talent but return their best player and one of the best players in the state in guard Kyle Rode. Will Hacker also returns to provide another option for the Eagles in the back court. Lots of new faces and young guys will have to contribute for the Eagles this season.

 

7. Lexington Catholic - The Knights are in a bit of a transition this season. They have lost a ton to graduation the last couple of seasons. Guys that played a lot of varsity minutes. The Knights do return Ben Johnson who is capable of handing out a 30 piece on any given night. The Knights always find ways to win and guys who are perfect for their system. I expect the Knights to be in the conversation for a region title all season.

 

8. Frankfort - The Panthers return one of the best rosters they have had in years. New coach Chris O'Brien will have to hope he can build some chemistry with these guys. Returning are Juanya Frank, a dynamic athletic guard, John Tillman who is as good a big man as anyone has in the region, and guard DeJuan Davis who can be a really good defender. The Panthers will have to hope they can finally get over the hump and win the district tournament.

 

9. Lafayette - The Generals are kind of an under the radar team if that's possible in the 11th region. Halfway through the season we might look up and they are top 3 team in the region. Big man Ray Surratt is back to man the middle as well as guard Evan Dreux who has been playing varsity for what seems like 6 years. The up-tempo style the Generals play will always keep them in the game. Could be a big year for Lafayette if things go their way.

 

10. Bryan Station - The Defenders start anew with head coach Nimbo Hammons. Hammons a former Defender has a big reputation on the aau circuit in Lexington and had a ton of community support to get the job. He enters his first season losing a lot of production from a great Defender squad last season. Back though is Myles "Bubby" Marones and Keaton Simpson, both of whom played valuable varsity minutes last season. One thing I know about this team is Coach Hammons will have his team playing hard tough basketball. Athletes are all over the school on the north side so don't think the cupboard is completely bare.

 

11. Woodford County - The Yellow Jackets enter their final season as a member of the 11th region as the defending 41st District Champions. Back for Coach Wilson returns guards Brandon Cromwell and Anthony Tabor who should make them a formidable back court. Them and Frankfort should battle it out in the 41st for the top seed. All about the draw for teams in the 41st and if they get a good one you could see the Yellow Jackets in the region semi final.

 

12. Tates Creek - The Commodores are still rebuilding but continue to get better under Coach Jarrod Gay. I expect Tates Creek to make big leaps this year. Amari Taylor is finally healthy and is capable of being one of the best guards in the region. Also, if Deonte Edmonds can finally figure out how good he is then Tates Creek has a huge upside. As always being in the 43rd District does nobody any favors but expect to see TC upset some of the big boys this year.

 

13. Franklin County - The Flyers are a team that could be 3-4 spots higher. They are really close to the teams ranked ahead of them. Expect Kyle Stivers and Jarred Courtney to lead the Flyers this season. If the chips fall right they could be the team to win the 41st District Championship at the end of the season. As always with the Flyers and Coach Wise expect them to be much better in February then in December.

 

14. Sayre - The Spartans come into the season looking to keep the positive momentum they have gained over the last couple of years. Look for Will Hairston and Daniel Clinkinbeard to lead the Spartans this season.

 

15. Madison Southern - The Eagles enter the season with new head coach Austin Newton. Newton a former EKU basketball player and assistant coach looks to build on what Coach Buttry built over the last 15 years. Not sure what to expect from the Eagles this season. As always all about the district draw for them.

 

16. Model - The Patriots enter the season with more experience then last year. Coach Scarberry is one of the more underrated coaches in the region in my opinion and will have his team ready to play.

 

17. Western Hills - Not much to look forward to on the westside of Frankfort this season im afraid. Peyton Cody and Nate Johnson return with varsity minutes under their belt but not sure what the Wolverines identity is at this point.

 

18. Berea - The Pirates look to battle for an All A region crown like every year. Tough going for one of the smallest schools in our state.

 

Player Rankings

1. Michael Moreno - Scott County - One of the best players in the state of Kentucky, Moreno looks to lead his team to a third straight region title.

2. Kyle Rode - Lexington Christian Academy - The Liberty University commit is one of the toughest matchups in the state at the guard spot. Smart, heady, and physical look for Rode to lead the way for the Eagles.

3. Isaiah Cozart - Madison Central - Recently committed to WKU and soon to be the states all time leading shot blocker, hes impossible to shoot over and makes MC's defense one of the best.

4. Marques Warrick - Henry Clay - Long athletic guard had a breakout season last year I look for it to sky rocket this season.

5. John Tillman - Frankfort - Tillman is a talented big man that can score in a number of ways. Tough matchup and should lead the Panthers to a big year.

6. Ben Johnson - Lexington Catholic - Another Johnson wired to score for the Knights, he is going to have some HUGE scoring nights.

7. Keaston Brown - Henry Clay - Big time scorer for the Blue Devils look for him and Warrick to be the best 1-2 punch in the region.

8. Bryce Long - Scott County - One of the best shooters in the state, hit a bit of a slump late last year but when hes right look out. Makes SC tough to defend.

9. Amari Taylor - Tates Creek - Sat out most of last season with an injury, an explosive guard who is going to have some big nights for Tates Creek.

10. Myles Morones - Bryan Station - Lone returning starter for the Defenders has all the weapons to have a monster season.

Good job as always. Do you know anything more about the 3 big kids at Dunbar?

Good job as always. Do you know anything more about the 3 big kids at Dunbar?

 

I know one of them played at Larue County last year some off the bench. The other two were out of state. I cant comment too much because their is a lot of unknown about the situation. All I do know is that these boys were not recruited in any way to PLD and that they were placed in foster care in a home in the PLD district. The KHSAA has ruled them eligible. Not much is known about the skill level overall but I am told that the oldest of the three is a college level type of player and physically all 3 are specimens.

I know one of them played at Larue County last year some off the bench. The other two were out of state. I cant comment too much because their is a lot of unknown about the situation. All I do know is that these boys were not recruited in any way to PLD and that they were placed in foster care in a home in the PLD district. The KHSAA has ruled them eligible. Not much is known about the skill level overall but I am told that the oldest of the three is a college level type of player and physically all 3 are specimens.

 

That for the info. I know I can count on you to give us credible info.