Simon Kenton doesn’t lose any significant starters, last year beat South Oldham and North Oldham, lost to Oldham Co in OT. I’m surprised they aren’t talked about more on here.

 

I would guess that some people want to see how Niece has recovered from the knee surgery. Also, they lost two of their top five scorers.

The bottom line this year is very simple....there are a number of teams who will be heard from and who could make the run in New Castle. But almost every one of them has at least one significant question they will have to answer. Unlike the last few years, I don't see a team - or teams - that start the year with a significant edge over the others in the top group. At least right now, I could see reasons to like:

 

Collins, South Oldham, North Oldham, SK, Spencer County, Oldham County

 

I also see reasons to wonder about each of those six. And many of them are an injury away from a disappointing finish.

 

And that doesn't even include some other teams that could make a big run late.

 

I think the differences may be razor-thin this year.

 

CM

Miscellaneous thoughts....

 

- Collins may not be quite as prolific on the offensive end this year; but every Chris Gaither-coached team is ruthless on the defensive end.

- Spencer has to replace two very key players, but looks likely to make it four consecutive 20 win seasons and a trip back to New Castle.

- South could be the upper-tier team that makes the most improvement this year, particularly with an experienced point guard and if the Dragons' defense steps up.

- Oldham County looks to have to win games in new ways this year, but has talent. Do the Colonels have the depth to run Coy Zerhusen's strenuous style of play, though?

- Is Niece back to 100% for Simon Kenton? Do the Pioneers have to have him at 100% to contend?

- North Oldham will have one of the top 3 favorites for Player of the Year in Powell; how will coach David Levitch weave him into the fabric of the starting five? Powell can literally play any position and be one of the best in the region at that position. How far do the rest of the Mutangs step it up in Levitch's second year as coach?

 

And...where will the rest of the region fall?

 

- Gallatin County just wins under Jon Jones. To steal a phrase from Jeep: "It's a Gallatin thing; you wouldn't understand!" (i.e., the Wildcats do it the old fashioned way, they work harder than almost everyone else)

- Grant County has been just on the outside looking in the last few years. Defense has been the Achilles heel; can the Braves fix that?

- Walton-Verona is the defending region champ. Never count out the incumbent.

- What about Woodford, the new kids on the block? Conventional wisdom says the Jackets have lost the crux of what would have been a regional contender; common sense says the Yellowjackets have been forged in the 11th Region cauldron for so long, they may be a contender without those players.

- Somebody else? Anderson County? The Bearcats have underachieved for the last couple of years, but have a rich history. AC doesn't typically stay "down" long... Henry County? Enoch Welch may get more out of his kids than anyone in the region...

 

It's going to be fun....it always is.

 

CM

South Oldham's Luke Morrison has committed to Kentucky Wesleyan.

I think SK might surprise you this year. A few talented sophomore kids!