2nd Region Final Rankings & Review

1. University Heights Academy – Coach Grant Shouse

BGP#3

2018-19 record: 26-4

District 8

University Heights had one of their best seasons in recent memory. They kept the number 1 ranking in the region the entire year. Besides winning the Region 2 regular season title in more than 10 years, they are the 2019 All “A” Classic Statewide Champions. They went undefeated in both district and region play. They only lost two games to Kentucky teams, Lexington Christian and Mayfield. They also have some big wins on the season, Larue County, Male, Cooper, and Newport.

The Blazers are led by Mr. Basketball Candidate KyKy Tandy, who most consider one of the favorites for to win that. Drew McGowan and Taquan Hollowell have been great compliments to Tandy, especially when McGowan hits almost 47% of his shots from beyond the arc. UHA will play Fort Campbell which should be an easy win, which sets up a battle with either Hopkinsville or Christian County for the District 8 title.

2. Madisonville North Hopkins – Coach Matt Beshear

BPB #17

2018-19 record: 24-5

District 7

The Maroons have had one of their best seasons in school history. They are ranked in the BGP top 20 and have proved they can play with almost anyone. They finished the season winning 17 straight games. The last time they lost was December 27 to Owensboro. Madisonville also has the best chance of unseating the hold District 8 has on the Region 2 title since Henderson County in 2015.

They are led by Juniors Ksuan Casey and Kenny White. Casey averaged 15.6 ppg and 9.4 rpg, locking down the paint. White scored 12.7 ppg while Senior Cade Cunningham pitched in 11.6 ppg. The Maroons will play Dawson Springs Monday for the chance to play for the District 7 title. Should be an easy win.

3. Hopkinsville – Coach Larry Miller

2018-19 record: 16-13

District 8

This was the Tigers first year they weren’t picked to win District 8 in almost 7 years. New coach Larry Miller doesn’t have a star player like Tiger teams have had in the past, but he did well with the above average talent there. This teams wasn’t the run and gun, average 80 pts a game like in the past, instead they played more half court and only averaged 56.1 ppg. Lowest in 10 years.

James Nicholas led the Tigers with 14.1 ppg and Jacarius Burks added 12.5 ppg. Hopkinsville will play Christian County in the Regions best first round matchup. The winner makes region and plays UHA for the district title.

4. Union County – Coach Shane Smith

2018-19 record: 17-8

District 6

Union County finished the season very strong getting wins against Henderson County, Christian County, and Webster County. They won 10 of their last 12 games. The Braves are led by sophomore star Kale Gaither who averaged 23.5 ppg. Elex Dunford add 12.7 ppg as well.

The Braves will have to play their way into the region tournament as they will have a tough matchup with Webster County in the opening round, however the game is played at Union County, so they have the advantage.

5. Christian County – Coach Kerry Stovall

2018-19 record: 14-15

District 8

The Colonels had their first losing season since the 2014 season. Coach Stovall lost a lot of talent last year, but this year’s team has made all kind of improvements throughout the season. Eric Brody lead the Colonels with 13.9 ppg while Fred Tandy puts in 11.8 and Stephon Bussell 12.2.

The Colonels will play Hopkinsville to see who goes to region and plays UHA for the district title. They played each other on Feb 2 where Hopkinsville won by 2 points. The district tournament will be played on their home court.

6. Caldwell County – Coach Daniel Kukahiko

2018-19 record: 17-9

District 7

The Tigers been pretty impressive this year with their play. A Big win against Paducah Tilghman caught everyone’s attention as did their strong play against UHA at the end of the season (91-96 loss). They could be a team that could pull a big upset in the region tournament if they make it that far, which they should.

Caldwell is led by one of the more dynamic players in region 2, Derrin Boyd. He is averaging 23.2 ppg while pulling down 7.1 rpg. He is complemented by John Davis (12.3 ppg) and Cayden Fraliex (11.6 ppg). Caldwell will play Hopkins County Central Monday at HCC. If they win they most likely will play Madisonville for the district title.

7. Henderson County – Coach Tyler Smithhart

2018-19 record: 15-10

District 6

Henderson County knew this season would be one full of uphill battles. They lost so much last year, but have gained a lot of experience this year while winning many of those battles. While not ready to compete with top competition in the region, they showed they could hold their own. They finished the season winning 5 of 7. They only had one player average in double figures for the year, that was Corey Stewart who put in 17 per game while hitting 46% of his 3s.

The Colonels will wait to see who wins the Union County/Webster County game. Either of those opponents will be a tough matchup in the District 7 title game.

8. Lyon County – Coach Jeff Embrey

2018-19 record: 19-9

District 5

Nobody really anticipated the success the Lyons would achieve this season. Right out of the gates they defeated Caldwell County, which most thought was a fluke, but as the season progressed, it became clear that Lyon County has a good team. Wins against Union and Webster solidified that thought. Three players averaged double figures on the season, Travis Perry with 20.6 ppg, Gabe Board with 15.1 ppg, and Jackson Shoulders with 12.4 ppg.

Lyon will have to play Trigg County on Monday to see who will advance to the district 5 title game at Livingston Central.

9. Hopkins County Central – Coach Lee James

2018-19 record: 12-14

District 7

Hopkins County had a back and forth season, never losing more than 2 games in a row, but also never winning more than 3 games in a row. Their best wins of the season came against Caldwell County and Webster County. Tyler Mann leads the Storm with 21.8 ppg and Blasin Moore adds 11.1 ppg and Adrian Stringer puts in 10 ppg while getting 8.3 rpg.

Hopkins County will play Caldwell County in the opening round of District play. While they did defeat them earlier in the year, they will go into this game as the underdog, even though they are hosting.

10. Webster County – Coach Jon Newton

2018-19 record: 16-13

District 6

Webster salvaged some of their season by ending on a 3 game winning streak. Something they needed because they had lost 7 of 8 before that streak. They started the season out well, but couldn’t keep it going throughout the entire season. Tyler Camplin led them with 17.3 ppg and Malachi Douglas added nearly 14 ppg. Webster will have a tough game against Union County to see who will play Henderson County for the District title. This is one district where there is a clear cut favorite for the district champion.

11. Livingston Central – Coach Chris Green

2018-19 record: 15-13

District 5

The Cardinals were another team that didn’t have any long losing streaks or winnign streaks. They went back and forth all season long. Their highlight win would be against Union county in early December. They had a trio of players average in double figures, Kobe Ringstaff (13.3 ppg), Bryce Stein (12.8 ppg), and Cameron Head (10 ppg). Livingston will play Crittenden County on Monday in the opening round of District play.

12. Crittenden County – Coach Denis Hodge

2018-19 record: 10-17

District 5

The Rockets started the season on a 4 game losing streak, and never really recovered. They had no real significant wins on the season. Gabe Mott was the leading scorer on the season with almost 16 ppg. They will play Livingston Central in the opening round of district play.

13. Trigg County – Coach Payton Croft

2018-19 record: 11-16

District 5

Trigg County had a tough 8 game losing streak mid season and that was their downfall this year. The did win 3 of their last 4 to finish. Kendric Adams led the Wildcats with 13 ppg and 7.4 rpg. They will play Lyon County in the first round of district play on Monday

14. Dawson Springs – Coach Chad Burgett

2018-19 record: 9-19

District 7

Dawson Springs ended the season on a tough 6 game losing streak, which was the longest of the season for them. Skyler Clark led the team with 18.3 ppg and Landon Pace added 13 ppg. The Panthers will play Madisonville in the opening round of district 7 play.

15. Fort Campbell – Coach Robbie Townsend

2018-19 record: 5-20

District 8

The Falcons always find themselves in the toughest district in region 2, and seem to always be at the bottom and this year was no different. They ended the season on a 14 game losing streak. They will have to play UHA in the district over, and that should be over pretty quickly.

Top 10 Players to Watch:

1. KyKy Tandy, University Heights – Tandy is the Region 2 Player of the Year and considered one of the top players in the state. He has committed to play at Xavier University after this year. He averaged 26.8 ppg his senior year, which was lower than his 30 ppg last season.

2. Kale Gaither, Union County – Transferred from Henderson County and made a huge impact for the Braves. Only a sophomore, has a bright future ahead of him. Averaged 23.5 ppg.

3. Ksuan Casey, Madisonville-North Hopkins – Best post player in Region 2, averaged 15.6 ppg and pulled down 9.4 rpg. Nobody in the region could keep him in check down low.

4. Derrin Boyd, Caldwell County - Boyd is one of the most electric players in Region 2, averaged 23.2 ppg and pulling down just over 7 rpg.

5. Travis Perry, Lyon County – Perry is another high profile scorer in the region averaging 20.6 ppg and hitting 66 three pointers on the year.

6. Tyler Mann, Hopkins Central – Averaged 21.8 ppg on the season along with 6.6 rpg. Another exciting player in the region.

7. James Nicholas, Hopkinsville – One of the most talented players, didn’t have quite the year that was expected. Averaged 14 ppg and hit 64 three pointers.

8. Corey Stewart, Henderson – The lone offensive weapon for Henderson. Averaged 17.1 ppg while hitting 90 three pointers, most in the region.

9. Drew McGowan, University Heights – Averaged almost 15 ppg on the season, but was deadly from 3 point range making 86 of them while shooting 47% from behind the arc.

10. Kenny White, Madisonville North-Hopkins – White, a junior this year, broke out and averaged 12.7 ppg on the season.